Mammoth hot springs, and trail ride trip report

Jon_slider · Last edited by Jon_slider on Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:38 am; edited 1 time in total

Just got back from Mammoth.

The area is Full of trails, lots of incredible scenery. I was there to meet up with half a dozen syncros for the first Mammoth Treffen. I stayed with the group the first night and next morning.

The Treffen campsite was centrally located near many dirt trails. Our hosts John and Glori Wessels, provided unbelievably tasty tritip and all sorts of other goodies the first night. Next morning was another awesome meal provided by our hosts.

I really enjoyed the camaraderie of the group meals. After the morning trail run, I went off on my own to find hotsprings and explore at my own pace. I also like finding free camping, so I spent a couple nights at Crowley Hot Springs, and one night at Laurel Lakes Aspen Camp.

Here are some photos of my trip. As usual, the best parts are off camera.
https://picasaweb.google.com/sliderjon/LaurelLakes#

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

I definitely felt short of breath due to being over 9000 feet, I live at Sea Level. My TDi motor also noticeably had less power at altitude, even with Turbo.

Driving through Yosemite was a first for me, I did not expect the $20 fee to drive through, but the receipt was good for a week, so the trip back was free. Yosemite also had mind blowing mountainscapes.

mattbriggs · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:37 am Post subject:

RAD!

What a combo - TDI / Westy / 4WD / Mammoth!

Syncronicity · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:45 am Post subject:

Nice. Thanks for sharing. I'd love to get to California for some exploring. Right now I'm going to get to work on my mustache : )
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JED THE SPREAD · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:25 pm Post subject:

Mustachetastic......

jed
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climberjohn · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 1:59 pm Post subject:

Jon,

That are looks amazing, thanks for the post!

I've spent a bit of time in that area, and never heard of Laurel Lakes.

One can spend a lifetime exploring the wonders of the Eastern Sierra, one of the most scenic areas on this earth.

Big ups to you for getting out and posting about your adventure.

-CJ
_________________
'86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often.

0to60in6min · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 2:55 pm Post subject:

thanks for the post...

the section of 395 from Bishop to Bridge Port (Owens Valley) is best for fall colors (mid. Sept to Mid Oct.)

I plan to go there soon ....

Bills85Westy · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 3:16 pm Post subject:

Hey Jon,

I can't believe I missed you on this trip. I just returned from Mammoth / Bridgeport today.

Alas, my 2wd Westy wouldn't make it up the hill so I camped at the base of the Laurel Lakes trail & rode it on my motorcycle.

Great fun!!
_________________
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Jon_slider · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 7:07 pm Post subject:

I could not find Laurel Lakes directions on any of the sites I googled. Ended up exploring with some pointers from a local Forest Ranger..

I spotted a group of FJ Cruisers going up the hill and decided to follow them. It was very helpful to watch them go up the trail so I could anticipate the switchbacks, the lines they used to get around the boulders, and the slow crawling sections.

I admit to a sense of pride that I was able to keep up with them.

It was also comforting to know they could rescue me.

Laurel Lakes trail was the longest rockiest trail I have ever been on in my very short 4WD life. It took one hour to come down.. longer going up.. partly after dark, which added to the challenge.. I would caution people about this trail, it is much more radical than most forest roads, and though the references I found refer to it as simply a high clearance vehicle road.. to me it was above average difficulty, and there is one hairpin turn that is potentially a chance to drive off a cliff.., not PG rated..

It was particularly challenging because the switchbacks have some of the biggest and loosest rocks, but that is where locking axles is problematic.. I was glad to have a solid shaft instead of a VC.

There were a few sections where I locked rear, and just a couple where I locked front.. The van ran great.. The locations were spectacular!

outwesty

My TDi motor also noticeably had less power at altitude, even with Turbo.[/quote]

I notice the same thing with my TDI non syncro westy.....I live at 6300 feet. Its a whole different machine when I am down low. Looks like a great trip.

BillWYellowstone · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 6:23 am Post subject:

There is also a Mammoth Hot Springs here in Yellowstone. Thought you were referring to ours for a second. You know you can get an annual park pass for $80 unlimited park visits anywhere. Or get older like me and get the lifetime pass for $10.
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j_dirge · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 7:24 am Post subject:

Beautiful area, eh Jon?

We spent a couple weeks tooling around the Bishop/Mammoth Lakes area this summer.. Will return next summer.. hopefully with a peloquin and some more time.. Great wheeling along some access towards White Mountain wilderness on the other side of the valley.

The roads this year were kinda beat up.. Lots of late snow and high running water took its toll on eaay access.

One of our regular stream crossings on the west side of the sierras required a buddy vehicle and snatch straps to safely ford. Normal years one can drive a Tercel through it.

Thanks for the pics!
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mattbriggs · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 9:31 am Post subject:

Forget the scenery! That's damn fine looking Van!

carterzest · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 10:13 am Post subject:

Californio · Samba Member Joined: May 17, 2007 Posts: 1301

Nice pics, makes me want to get out there!

I've heard that to avoid the $20 fee to come over Tioga, tell them you're going to visit someone in a town right near the edge of the park, like Northfork or in the other direction Lee Vining, and they'll give you a pass for 8 hours free. Then just go visit someone in those towns, like the waitress in the cafe, and you'll be telling the truth.

FrankenSubySyncro · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 4:48 pm Post subject:

It was great to hang out again Jonathan, glad you came. Here are some of my pics.

June Lake

Near Inyo Craters

Inyo Crater

Laurel Lakes

_________________
Syncronize it!
1987 Franken Syncro (converted 2WD auto)
2004 2.5 SOHC Subaru
F & R lockers, decoupler, SS, 6.17 R&P
Trans Cooler
EMPI race prepped 930 CVs and axles
Bilstein coilover front, rear ProComp MX-6066R shocks, 14" hypercoil springs
30x9.5 15" BFG Muds
Custom skid plates
Nose job (custom front bumper) http://www.flickr.com/photos/subyvanagon/sets/72157624970330925/

carterzest · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 5:11 pm Post subject:

Jon_slider · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 9:10 pm Post subject:

thanks for the kind words everyone

Really glad I got to see you David, and lthanks for the pics.

Those Pinzes kept slowing me down!

I laughed when the red one got stuck in front of me.. Fun times!

and maybe show Adam my photo above of the "easter egg" section.. he asked me whether I used the cliff side or hill side line Smile

.. I wove between.. He reported going straight along the high side with no crunchy metal sounds..

on a separate subject, feedback invite from everyone..
Im working on my CB Radio orientation 101.. do I want one of these kits:
http://risingsun4x4club.org/forum2/showthread.php?t=7861

or are there certain places people go to get CB's installed.. what are they called, truck stops? sorry if my ignorance is glaring

WestyBob · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:17 am Post subject:

FrankenSubySyncro · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 11:09 am Post subject:

Jon,

Tom and Adam have the Cobra with all the buttons on the mic and they have the external speaker mounted on the dash. I have a Colt one similar to the Uniden with the speaker built into the box. Mine is mounted below the diff lock panel with the speaker pointed at the floor. It works well except sometimes on the highway with the stereo turned up and the windows down I can't hear as clearly as I would like (I just mute the stereo). I almost bought an external speaker on the way home but didn't really want it on my dash when I only use it for caravaning and wheeling. There is a speaker jack on the back of mine so I can do the external speaker if I really want it. (a cobra speaker was $20 - 30 at the truck stop)

I have a Wilson magnetic mount, flexible antenna. A few times it has come off while wheeling due to low hanging branches.
http://www.rightchannelradios.com/wilson-cb-antenna-109/wilson-little-wil-cb-antenna-350.html

I couldn't find a CB store in my area but did find a guy selling CBs out of his garage. I bought the antenna from him and he used his SWR meter to tune it for me. I haven't needed the SWR meter since. Radio shack has CBs but they don't tune the antenna, they told me to go to a truck stop. I would call around first to see if they provide this service.

To install it I made two "L" shaped mounting brackets (a new CB should have the bracket, mine was a free used one) and bolted it to the heater vent cover. The wiring is easier than a stereo, just a positive, ground, and the antenna cable. I wired it to the ignition on circuit so it would turn off when I turn the key off. You can mount it where ever you like. I just ran the antenna cable up the "A" pillar and out the passenger door.
_________________
Syncronize it!
1987 Franken Syncro (converted 2WD auto)
2004 2.5 SOHC Subaru
F & R lockers, decoupler, SS, 6.17 R&P
Trans Cooler
EMPI race prepped 930 CVs and axles
Bilstein coilover front, rear ProComp MX-6066R shocks, 14" hypercoil springs
30x9.5 15" BFG Muds
Custom skid plates
Nose job (custom front bumper) http://www.flickr.com/photos/subyvanagon/sets/72157624970330925/

0to60in6min · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 11:16 am Post subject:

thank you for the pics...


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Mammoth hot springs, and trail ride trip report
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