BajaNomad - Speaking of the Eastern Sierra

Speaking of the Eastern Sierra

tripledigitken - 12-18-2011 at 12:35 PM

Where am I?

bajabass - 12-18-2011 at 12:37 PM

Death Valley???

tripledigitken - 12-18-2011 at 12:38 PM

Need to be more specific.

KaceyJ - 12-18-2011 at 02:00 PM

Panamint Valley , West side?

Nice photo BTW.

tripledigitken - 12-18-2011 at 02:45 PM

Excellent! I was on 190 overlooking Panamint Springs.

DianaT - 12-18-2011 at 03:06 PM

Nice one Ken, interesting and beautiful

wessongroup - 12-18-2011 at 04:41 PM

Another neat place just off that 395 ... thanks for the "view" Ken ... did ya stop by Darwin

[Edited on 12-18-2011 by wessongroup]

KaceyJ - 12-18-2011 at 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken
Excellent! I was on 190 overlooking Panamint Springs.

That photo takes in a beautiful vista. I'd like to see the same with one of the plants as the subject.

It always amazed me that anything could grow there more so than some of the most arid places in baja.

tripledigitken - 12-20-2011 at 09:44 AM

wessongroup,

We didn't stop at Darwin that trip. Have hiked up to the falls on past trips though. Highly recommended! Anytime you get to see running water in the desert it's a treat.

DianaT - 12-20-2011 at 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken
wessongroup,

We didn't stop at Darwin that trip. Have hiked up to the falls on past trips though. Highly recommended! Anytime you get to see running water in the desert it's a treat.

We have passed the sign to Darwin a few times and have talked about going out---now what about these falls out there?

And maybe a photo? Thanks

tripledigitken - 12-20-2011 at 10:08 AM

Diane,

Sorry, no pics. It's a short hike up the canyon to the falls. A must do! Before or after a nice lunch and a Ale at the Panamint Springs Hotel.

Ken

Barry A. - 12-20-2011 at 11:15 AM

The town of DARWIN is an "experience" in itself!!! A bunch of real character's live there. Definitely worth the 20 min. or so drive into just see the old mining town.

Then you have to come back out to the highway, and drive east almost to the floor of Panamint Valley, and off on a side road south to get to the parking lot for the short hike to Darwin Falls. There is a 4-wheel drive road between the Town of Darwin and the Falls area, but never have taken it. Someday---------I hope.

All God's Country, and why my son lives there in Independence, CA where we visit often.

Also, don't miss the Natl. Park Service visitor center displays at the 'Manzanar Japanese Internment Camp' site just south of Independence, and right along side Hywy 395------allow about an hour at least to see the incredible displays in this visitor center, and the surrounding site----------The NPS had done a great job of interpreting all this.

Barry

Bob H - 12-20-2011 at 11:18 AM

Quote:

Never knew about Darwin.... is the hike to the falls there? And, how do you know how to hike there?

Info on Darwin, CA... 43 people live there...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darwin,_California

wessongroup - 12-20-2011 at 11:40 AM

Had a friend who's parents, and a dad... who was to the right of Mr. Birch .. which lead to many a good political discussion ... moved to Darwin in 1965 and bought the general store there ... yep, there used to be a general store, haven't a clue if it is still there... it's been many moons

The guys' dad, believed the Federal Government would take over the entire country and make slaves of us... just to pay off an ever increasing national debt which was going to occur via the "Great Society" which was just starting .. he figured he could move away ... from the Federal Government .. off the grid as they call it today ... well appears he was a lot closer to seeing the future than I ... :lol:

It was a visit to a different world.. a number of folks lived in caves... and trade at the store with a form of bartering ... the guys Dad made home brewed booze and beer ... the stor was a long way from any AlphaBeta at that time ...

A real crew of folks living out there in the middle of nowhere ... but, they all seemed happy ... later heard that Charlie Manson used to use some parts outside Darwin for places to stay ...

I never did much hiking when there ... it was a mostly a "social visit" ... sit around and talk and look around at the area and drink home brew with the local s on the front porch of the store until we could no walk ... then build a fire and then talk and drink some more ...

[Edited on 12-20-2011 by wessongroup]

Bob H - 12-21-2011 at 09:25 AM

I'm headed to Lone Pine, CA tomorrow and will take a side trip to Darwin and hope to hike to the falls, time permitting. Any advice on what to see while I'm spending the night in Lone Pine would be appreciated.... I will have my chocolate lab, Luke, with me!!
Head'm up.... move'm out!

David K - 12-21-2011 at 09:31 AM

Wow... have fun!

Fossil Falls

bajaguy - 12-21-2011 at 09:35 AM

Just north of Little Lake on 395 is Fossil Falls. Short hike, great stuff to see. Your Lab will like it.

Bob H - 12-21-2011 at 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
Just north of Little Lake on 395 is Fossil Falls. Short hike, great stuff to see. Your Lab will like it.

Hey, thanks, we'll check it out!!

tripledigitken - 12-21-2011 at 10:42 AM

While in Lone Pine, a short drive thru the Alabama Hills is a great way to spend an extra hour or two.

Barry A. - 12-21-2011 at 10:43 AM

Half way up beside Owens Lake (mostly dry) is a short side trip east to THE CHARCOAL KILNS where charcoal was made for the smelters of Swansea and Keeler for the Cerro Gordo Mines-------the charcoal was barged across the then viable Owens Lake via a steam vessel. They got the wood for making the charcoal from the Sierra foothills to the west. It's all interesting.

Of course, from Lone Pine in the evening, or early morning, a quick trip into the Alabama Hills to the immediate west is always a photo and sightseeing highlight, as previously mentioned.

Also the "movie museum" in Lone Pine is fun. (west side of 395 south end of town)

Have fun.

Barry

[Edited on 12-21-2011 by Barry A.]

mcfez - 12-21-2011 at 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
Just north of Little Lake on 395 is Fossil Falls. Short hike, great stuff to see. Your Lab will like it.

Bob H - 12-21-2011 at 08:30 PM

Man, I gotta print this stuff out. There's more to see than I thought. Maybe I should stay two nights up there instead of one!!

My thanks to everyone with these great suggestions! :spingrin:

Barry A. - 12-21-2011 at 10:29 PM

Oh, we are just gettin started Bob. Come summer, I will tell you of a few "locals only" fishing holes (maybe). :lol:

Barry

Bob H - 12-21-2011 at 11:58 PM

While I'm in Lone Pine, CA.... I am thinking of checking out the Double L Bar in town. Interesting reviews! Seems like a great dive bar! Any opinions?

http://www.yelp.com/biz/double-l-bar-lone-pine

Bob H - 12-22-2011 at 10:57 AM

Alabama Hills... is this worth the time to visit?

http://www.lonepinechamber.org/siteseeing/alabama-hills.html

mtgoat666 - 12-22-2011 at 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H
I'm headed to Lone Pine, CA tomorrow and will take a side trip to Darwin and hope to hike to the falls, time permitting. Any advice on what to see while I'm spending the night in Lone Pine would be appreciated.... I will have my chocolate lab, Luke, with me!!
Head'm up.... move'm out!

drive up toward whitney portal (drive takes you thru alabama hills). this time of year, the roads ends at snow level. start hiking from there and go up, up, up. great views and reward at end is getting into pretty forest, the start of more pretty hiking.

Bob H - 12-22-2011 at 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H
I'm headed to Lone Pine, CA tomorrow ...

Oh, that post was wrong... I'm not leaving until Saturday morning, early!

Bob H - 12-22-2011 at 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

Wow, this sounds very good... can I bring my dog with me?

Barry A. - 12-22-2011 at 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H
Alabama Hills... is this worth the time to visit?

http://www.lonepinechamber.org/siteseeing/alabama-hills.html

You could spend all day in the Alabama Hills and not see it all. I find more new things every time I go there, and I have been going there all my life. See if you can get a map of the "hills" at Joseph's Market in Central Lone Pine-------that will make things much easier, and must less confusing. There is an InterAgency Visitor Center just south of Lone Pine (at the turnoff for Death Valley) and they have a lot of excellent maps and brochures. If you have a NUVI, or similar, there is software that shows practically every road in the "hills", and that is also useful----there are a lot of roads, most good for non-4x4 traffic.

Barry

mtgoat666 - 12-22-2011 at 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

Wow, this sounds very good... can I bring my dog with me?

yes. dogs allowed, except in national park, but you won't get to national park at this time of year (that boundary is quite a ways up the whitney trail)

Bob H - 12-22-2011 at 09:27 PM

Man, this is 'great stuff'... thanks to all of you. I will post a trip report with photos after I get back!!

Can't wait to get going early Saturday morning!

:yes:

Anyone ever been to the Double L Bar in Lone Pine, CA? Any opinions?

[Edited on 12-23-2011 by Bob H]

Darwin to Panamint Springs via the old Toll Road

John M - 12-23-2011 at 08:02 AM

Two months ago we camped in the Alabama Hills for several days - waking to the dawn and sunrise on Mt Whitney was spectacular.

As written above, Darwin Falls is accessible by a short dirt road a bit west of Panamint Springs and then a mile or so hike in a relatively flat wash. A more exciting and scenic route it to take Highway 136 east from the Interagency Visitor Center a mile south of Lone Pine. In 18 miles you join Highway 190, continuing east on 190 for about 13 additional miles to the right turn to Darwin, signed.

Darwin is a hoot!

Our "long road to Panamint Springs" leaves Darwin on what is signed as North Main Street, on the far edge of town. If interested I can give you more specific directions.

Anyway stay on North Main - we tried several exciting dirt roads before hitting on the right one! You'll be in a wash for a number of miles, needing to make one major right turn at what was described to us by several Darwinians as a short piece of rusted pipe, 3 feet tall. From the pipe it is a short detour to another great exploring spot, China Garden. Back on the correct road you pass through an extensive mining area with workings high up on the hill sides. A short while later you join the dirt road up from Panamint Springs that most folks take to Darwin Falls.

This is an all dirt road scenic route. I don't think 4x4 is needed although the downhill on the latter few miles is fairly steep and we used low range for 3 or 4 miles. We didn't see another person or vehicle on this 10 - 12 mile drive, and I would certainly entertain the thought that you ought to have 4x4 in case conditions change.

John M

Barry A. - 12-23-2011 at 09:53 AM

Great information, John, on the "Darwin back road".

Is it fairly easy to drive that road the opposite direction, you think?? (Nissan X-Terra 4x4 vehicle)

Also, for the even more adventuristic, there is the loop-road thru Cerro Gordo from near Keeler (E side of Owens Lake) which takes you high in the Inyo Range and over the top and out the east side to the area of the Darwin turnoff. Cerro Gordo is private property, and has a touchy caretaker, but if you are cordial he will take you on a tour of the old mining town, or at least let you modestly poke around. This can be done in any high clearance vehicle, if not recently damaged by rains, but the road is very steep on the west side.

Barry

wessongroup - 12-23-2011 at 10:06 AM

Will be looking forward to a "view" which have not seen in a very long time...

Take it easy BobH... great little thread about an area it appears many have more than a few great memories of ......

Bit surprised no one has brought up Schat’s bakery with their famous Sheep herder bread ... was a must when we were in Bishop, before heading up to camp... and hike ...

Barry A. - 12-23-2011 at 10:11 AM

Schatts Bakery in Bishop is still a "gold mine" for the owners, and the bread and other products are still excellent. Good point bringing that up, Wesson.

We always stop by going and coming from Redding to pick up a few loaves of bread, and stuff.

Barry

DianaT - 12-23-2011 at 10:12 AM

Bob,
Have a great time. There is so much around that area to enjoy----pick a couple of great places, and start planning your next trip to the area. :yes:

Look forward to hearing and seeing what you choose to see this time. Owen's Valley and the Eastern Sierra will just keep calling you back!

J.P. - 12-23-2011 at 10:22 AM

When I lived up there we used to ride our motorcycles up hwy.4 through Murphys Ca. over the hill to 395 to Minden Nv.in Minden there was a little Casino called Sharkeys , had Prime Rib to die for then back over the hill on hwy. 88 to Pine Grove Ca. where we lived it was a good way to spend the weekend. :cool:

Cerro Gordo & Darwin loop

John M - 12-23-2011 at 10:44 AM

I'd think the Cerro Gordo route might be icy, the steep and narrow parts wouldn't be especially fun in that case.

The route from Panamint Springs/Darwin Falls parking lot to Darwin should be passable although the steep down section we encountered was a bit rocky with a few ledges to climb but slightly more than a truck width wide. Going up, the reverse of what we drove, would be comfortable in low range. There are those, of course, that would comment that they can take their 2wd anywhere a 4x4 can go, so I'm ready to hear it from them!

The route finding is pretty intuitive except perhaps the first mile east of the town of Darwin, where other tire tracks take you interesting places.

There is a hike from China Gardens down the old Toll Road to Darwin Falls also, haven't done it but there is a pole gate blocking the old road at that point. China Gardens would make a great campsite in warmer weather.

I should research that name - wonder how it came to be known as China Gardens?

John M

Hook - 12-23-2011 at 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
Just north of Little Lake on 395 is Fossil Falls. Short hike, great stuff to see. Your Lab will like it.

One thing about Fossil Falls. I wouldnt recommend staying there overnight in the hot part of the year. All that metamorphic rock gets blasted by the sun all day and it retains lots of heat all night. We stayed there once and the temps never really got below 85-90 all night. The rocks were just radiating all kinds of heat, all night long. It was not pleasant sleeping.

Barry A. - 12-23-2011 at 02:36 PM

Hook--------that's "igneous" rock, blacker than hades!!! and otherwise known as "lava"----------Lava equals volcano------volcanos are HOT, which explains the situation at Fossil Falls?!?!?!?. :lol:

(just giving you a bad time, Hook-------you make a good point) :light:

Barry

It's a short hike

bajaguy - 12-23-2011 at 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook
One thing about Fossil Falls. I wouldnt recommend staying there overnight in the hot part of the year. All that metamorphic rock gets blasted by the sun all day and it retains lots of heat all night. We stayed there once and the temps never really got below 85-90 all night. The rocks were just radiating all kinds of heat, all night long. It was not pleasant sleeping.

It's a short hike. I would advise against camping there anytime. There is a CalTrans rest stop and some sort of store/RV place a few miles north.

If you want to try some trout fishing right off of 395, send me a U2U

DianaT - 12-23-2011 at 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

If you want to try some trout fishing right off of 395, send me a U2U

The Eastern Sierra is a little like Baja---we all have our favorite fishing holes and special places. :yes:

Bob H - 12-24-2011 at 04:31 PM

I'm up here now with my dog Luke... wow, what a beautiful place this is! Got here a little early and my room wasn't ready yet, explored a place called Manzanar, very interesting, then went to a local watering hole here in Lone Pine called Jakes. They insisted that I bring my dog into the bar and they all loved him. Ash trays on the bar, folks drinking beer and smoking ... I asked the bar tender if he would give me a glass of water for Luke... he pulled out a stainless steel dog bowl, filled it with water and handed it over to me. Very nice locals here, treated me like I was one of them.

Tomorrow more exploring! Beautiful weather, not much snow around. Taking lots of pictures. Might just stay another night...

[Edited on 12-24-2011 by Bob H]

wessongroup - 12-24-2011 at 04:52 PM

Hey Bob... thanks much for the info for having a good evening in Lone Pine... cool about the dog ... not many like that anymore ... just saying

Thanks for the time ...

Another night?

tripledigitken - 12-24-2011 at 05:21 PM

Just an hour east of Panamint Springs you can be at the Charcoal Kilns and Wild Rose.

Bob H - 12-24-2011 at 06:00 PM

1 hour driving?

http://digital-desert.com/death-valley-history/wildrose-kiln...

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken
Just an hour east of Panamint Springs you can be at the Charcoal Kilns and Wild Rose.

tripledigitken - 12-24-2011 at 06:14 PM

Actually make that 2 hours because you can't miss Skidoo and Aguereberry Point which are along the way. :cool:

Bob H - 12-24-2011 at 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken
Actually make that 2 hours because you can't miss Skidoo and Aguereberry Point which are along the way. :cool:

What's there? :?:

Bob H - 12-26-2011 at 12:14 PM

This was my view Christmas morning! Fantastic trip.

Trip report???

bajaguy - 12-26-2011 at 12:16 PM

Bob...........do we get a trip report???

DianaT - 12-26-2011 at 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H
This was my view Christmas morning! Fantastic trip.

One of the most beautiful places around----we NEVER get tired of being there any time of the year.

And yes, your trip report and more pictures?? Please

Bob H - 12-26-2011 at 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
Bob...........do we get a trip report???

Yes, I'm working on it.... need to go through my photos and upload them, etc.

Great trip... Panamint Valley loop through Death Valley was stunning!

Darwin Falls

Skipjack Joe - 1-3-2012 at 04:58 AM

Skipjack Joe - 1-3-2012 at 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken
Where am I?

Right above me:

Where the artists hang out

Skipjack Joe - 1-3-2012 at 05:08 AM

wessongroup - 1-3-2012 at 06:40 AM

Thanks again for all the extra pic's of the area .. .it's been since 2000, that was my/our last trip up 395..