Need Advice on High Sierras - Lone Pine area

[blaze-on]

Contact Per Volquartz to see when his free workshop in the Eastern Sierra falls. If you are lucky enough to be there at the same time you may run into a bunch of the nicest people with big cameras and like minds on the planet.

Per's workshop: Eastern Sierra and Owens Valley (California) Free Workshop, October 23 - 27.
Now Full. To get on the waiting list: volquartz@volquartz.com

 

[JeffD]

Just to add to what others have said about the Bristlecones - keep going right to the top but be aware that the track is rough and consists of sharp flinty stones for some miles. If you take highway tyres they may not survive the trip.
I went in a hired 4x4 and had a completely shredded tyre. Local people who stopped (always very briefly!) as they passed me changing the wheel all advised at least 6-8 ply tryes and 2 spares. My 4x4 had highway tyres. Alamo were very unco-operative and pointed out that according to the small print on the contract I shouldn't have taken the 4x4 off a tarmac surface, (which seemed rather pointless to me to pay all that extra to stay on a sealed road!) and that 'violating' these conditions made all the insurance void - so be warned on both counts. It's worth it when you get there though and when I go back I will explore the possibility of hiring a true off road vehicle by the day.
Tim

Was this the Schulman grove you were navigating to? It looks like the closest "grove" to civilization, looking at the maps, but something I read said there was another one, (maybe more scenic?) 12 miles or so past schulman grove. Anyone have any insights here?

After all the discussions about tires, I'm kind of paranoid, but I'll probably attempt it anyway. Sounds like the road is not truly 4x4 in the classic sense, but, rather, sharp rock. Or maybe there really are clearance issues? To bad I can't drive my Toyota T100 there, but, from Atlanta, that might be a rather long drive!

 

[tim rudman]

Was this the Schulman grove you were navigating to? It looks like the closest "grove" to civilization, looking at the maps, but something I read said there was another one, (maybe more scenic?) 12 miles or so past schulman grove. Anyone have any insights here?

After all the discussions about tires, I'm kind of paranoid, but I'll probably attempt it anyway. Sounds like the road is not truly 4x4 in the classic sense, but, rather, sharp rock. Or maybe there really are clearance issues? To bad I can't drive my Toyota T100 there, but, from Atlanta, that might be a rather long drive!

Schulman Grove is easy to get to with (as I recall) a sealed road either all or most of the way. From there begins to unmade flinty road to the top at about 11,00 feet (from memory) so air is a bit thin and you may notice this if you hike up and down hill from there (ie down the other side and back up again) with a heavy pack(s).
Both are worth a visit. You have more freedom of movement and thus selection if you go on to the top. The road is OK if you are careful and have adequate tyres. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again properly equipped. It's been on my list for a prolonged return visit ever since my first one, but I couldn,t take that car back up for obvious reasons
Tim