BajaNomad

Better place to explore on a SXS: Coyote Flats or Around Mammoth?

JZ - 11-28-2021 at 03:13 PM

Thinking about taking my RZR up in a week or two.

Would love to find a place I can just jump in it and go, instead of trailering and unloading.

Anyone ever been to the Bishop Creek Lodge (20 miles outside of Bishop)? Can you hit the trails from there?

Looks like some of the condo rentals in Mammoth are at the edge of the dirt too. Any places in Bishop itself?

Cancamo - 11-28-2021 at 03:37 PM

Might be too much snow to travel USFS roads in that part of the Sierra. BLM country east into Nevada would be a likelier option.

JZ - 11-28-2021 at 04:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Cancamo  
Might be too much snow to travel USFS roads in that part of the Sierra. BLM country east into Nevada would be a likelier option.


Well for FFS. Last time I was gonna go there was too much risk of fire.

Cancamo - 11-28-2021 at 04:17 PM

And rightfully so;

USFS Forest wide closures due to record low fuel moisture content and lack of available suppression resources due to commitments at uncontrolled incidents throughout the West.

The last thing you want in a season like we just had is flatlanders in the woods.

wilderone - 11-28-2021 at 06:04 PM

In September, I boondocked off Hwy 120 - seemed like a lot of open space - nobody came by. Might be a little cold these days though.
Past Benton hotsprings about 3 mi., to a pole line road turnoff called Cattledrive Rd., then took a right onto a 2-track to get here:


mtgoat666 - 11-28-2021 at 07:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone  
In September, I boondocked off Hwy 120 - seemed like a lot of open space - nobody came by.


120 is closed in winter.

Great places to boondock in winter in Inyo mountains, white mountains and eastward to panamint valley and panamint range.

Nights are cold, but days usually OK.

WestyWanderer - 11-28-2021 at 08:11 PM

No you can’t hit the trails right from the lodge. I have a friend who has a cabin across the road from the lodge, have stayed there many times (last time 3 years ago). There is an access behind his place, but it will be hard to get through with a SXS, large boulders blocking the access and signs saying no trespassing. The access I’m referring too starts at 37.230190,-118.564513.

JZ - 11-28-2021 at 10:46 PM

Quote: Originally posted by WestyWanderer  
No you can’t hit the trails right from the lodge. I have a friend who has a cabin across the road from the lodge, have stayed there many times (last time 3 years ago). There is an access behind his place, but it will be hard to get through with a SXS, large boulders blocking the access and signs saying no trespassing. The access I’m referring too starts at 37.230190,-118.564513.


Who is blocking that? Do they own the property? Looks like a pristine launching point.








[Edited on 11-29-2021 by JZ]

wilderone - 11-29-2021 at 08:01 AM

Hwy 120 gets closed off of Hwy 395, west 'cuz over the 10,000 pass, etc. But off of Hwy 6, 120 west isn't subject to same criteria. Elev. is 5600. There are plenty of homes between Benton and Cattledrive Rd.

[Edited on 11-29-2021 by wilderone]

WestyWanderer - 11-29-2021 at 02:19 PM

That’s the access and it’s on private property. We ride our plated bikes all the way down the hill and access Coyote flats just west of Bishop

amigobaja - 12-1-2021 at 01:34 PM

A fun location would be to get a place in Virginia City Nv. Some good restaurants, bars,shops and great people watching. You can ride you're rig anywhere you want to go from there. Reno,Las Vegas, Utah etc. Thousands of back road trails and not to far north of Mammoth but much more toleration towards your toys.