BajaNomad

Spring ride through the Eastern Sierra

tripledigitken - 3-31-2015 at 10:01 AM

Last week I took a five day MC trip up to see friends in Truckee. I was fortunate to be able to have a quick visit with Diane and John in Big Pine and met their son Ken. (good luck with the sale of that trick Toy).

I camped at Keough Hot Springs, Bishop, thanks to the tip from Diane. Then met up with my friends in Gerlach for lunch at Brunos. Spent the night at their home in Truckee. They stuffed me with bar b que'd NY steaks and grilled asparagus. Headed back home Sunday with a stop for the night in Lone Pine. The weather was perfect.

Managed to grab some photos along the way. Hope you enjoy them.

Lee Vining, for March that's not a lot of snow cover.



Keough Hot Springs, dating back to the 1920's a popular spot for RVer's and locals to enjoy the hot springs









a very calm day on Mono Lake at mid day



I left my friends house in Truckee and rode through South Lake Tahoe and had lunch in Markleeville. The ride over Monitor Pass was spectacular!





near Independence



My last meal of the trip, breakfast in Olancha.












[Edited on 3-31-2015 by tripledigitken]

AKgringo - 3-31-2015 at 10:30 AM

I start my Baja trips from my my winter residence in Grass Valley, fifty miles west of Truckee.
Monitor Pass is not usually open in a normal snow year, but if it is, and there is not a storm blowing in, that is my route of choice. I-5 or 99 are the most direct, and lower cost ways to go, but hey, I'm on vacation! Some of the best scenery, and most interesting roads start in the first hour of my trip!
I'll take 395 over the central valley any day, even if I have to miss the stockyards around Manteca.

tripledigitken - 3-31-2015 at 12:09 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
...I'll take 395 over the central valley any day, even if I have to miss the stockyards around Manteca.


Couldn't agree more!

Maron - 3-31-2015 at 12:10 PM

Super photos, thanks

DianaT - 3-31-2015 at 02:44 PM

It was great seeing you again! Glad you enjoyed Keough's. It's a nice Hidaway close to the highway, and I love that pool.

As always, excellent photos. Thanks, and 395 is the best.

tripledigitken - 3-31-2015 at 05:52 PM

Thanks Diane.

Mexitron - 3-31-2015 at 06:08 PM

Beautiful pics!

Ken Bondy - 3-31-2015 at 06:59 PM

Wonderful series Ken. Love that part of the world!!

StuckSucks - 3-31-2015 at 07:39 PM

Very familiar with this part of the world - great photos!

Bob H - 3-31-2015 at 08:37 PM

Ken, I always pause to take a look at your posts and photos. Excellent as usual... thank you !!

tripledigitken - 4-1-2015 at 08:27 AM

Thanks Bob.

TMW - 4-1-2015 at 08:31 AM

Beautiful country for sure, love the pictures. Thanks

wessongroup - 4-1-2015 at 09:59 AM

Thanks much ... and getting to see it on a "bike" too ... outstanding ... :):)

Dittos on the snow level at cut off to Sonora .. March .. WOW

[Edited on 4-1-2015 by wessongroup]

Skipjack Joe - 4-1-2015 at 11:33 AM

Wonderful pictures Ken. I am so looking forward for those passes to open and see stand on that highway next to Mono Lake one more time. There is a peace there that I sense nowhere else in California (alta).

A couple of comments:

(1) I believe that I had several meals at that restaurant in Markeleyville. It sits on the corner of the highway and the paved road going to the sierras, right? Don't know why that town is such a haven for bikers.

(2) The next to last b&w image is my favorite.

tripledigitken - 4-1-2015 at 04:31 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Skipjack Joe  
Wonderful pictures Ken. I am so looking forward for those passes to open and see stand on that highway next to Mono Lake one more time. There is a peace there that I sense nowhere else in California (alta).

A couple of comments:

(1) I believe that I had several meals at that restaurant in Markeleyville. It sits on the corner of the highway and the paved road going to the sierras, right? Don't know why that town is such a haven for bikers.

(2) The next to last b&w image is my favorite.


(1) It is on the right in the center of town going southbound. Not sure of the road you refer to going to the sierras. The popularity of the town for bikers, speaking for myself, is it's adjacent to a number of passes (Monitor, Ebbetts and 50). Currently Monitor is open and makes for a nice loop for those that live in Carson City to Reno. For those, like myself heading southbound, it's a beautiful route through Lake Tahoe then down to Markleeville, over Monitor Pass and back to 395.

(2) That image took the most Post Processing (LR then PS then Silver Effex then back to LR), glad you liked it.

None of the photos were planned, just pulled over and took the shots. Most were taken midday.........

As you know, the Eastern Sierra is one of my favorite areas, and I agree with your opinion completely.

Bajahowodd - 4-1-2015 at 04:56 PM

What startles me is the lack of snow cover on those mountains as April begins. We are in deep mierda.

My first of many drives up 395 was in 1968, when me and two of my buddies were working for a driveaway car company. Our driver ended up being Bill Cosby's agent for many years. We drove a car up 395 to Reno. Aside from the plows, there was a wall of snow on either side of the highway that was twelve feet high.

After hanging out at a casino (Harold's Club)in Reno all night, we each drove National rental cars to SFO.

PLEASE conserve water.

Skipjack Joe - 4-1-2015 at 04:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by tripledigitken  


Lee Vining, for March that's not a lot of snow cover.





And I'm going to guess that the rooftops in this picture are of the gas station that sits at the intersection of 120 and 395?

tripledigitken - 4-1-2015 at 05:15 PM

Igor,

You are correct. The Mobil station/Whoa Nellie Deli. The gas station is open and restaurant has yet to open for the season.

To my back is an excellent view of Mono Lake.