nurseBob
08-11-2005, 11:58 PM
I'm on my annual trip to Lone Pine, CA. It's my opportunity to check in with the desert and a few other great places in CA.
My trip started yesterday at 4:30 AM as I headed out of Napa and flew down the super slab on my way to Manteca. I wanted an early start to miss the heat later in the day. Once in Manteca it was 120 to 108 and then over the Sonora Pass (just as twisty as last week with STPilot). The summit was wonderful and cool as I slipped by at 9:15. I dropped down to 395 and cruised on to Lone Pine. My only mistake in the 406 miles was that I got to Lone Pine too early to check in to my room. I had to hang out and kill time in the lobby (air conditioned, preferable to the 98 degree temps outside).
The real fun started today; up early (well, 6:00, not 4:30) I headed back up 395 to Big Pine (about 40 miles) with the plan of heading east on 168 and then turning north when I got to the entrance to the Ancient Bristle Cone Pine forest.
168 is a snakey road, laid in an arroyo that climbs from 4000 to 9000 feet in only 13 miles. The road builders apparently just bulldozed a road that conforms to the twists and turns of the arroyo. Plenty of whoop-te-doos (sp?), decreasing radius, back-camber, and other exciting curves. I don't remember the width to the entrance, several hundred, if not thousand, yards. However, before you pop-out on the plateau you'll squeak through a one lane section.
The ride into the park has similar pleasures, although you need to take care, since, like last night, the area is subject to thunder storms that leave _lots_ of debris in some of the curves. You don't want to hit this stuff without a generous safety margin.
I stopped briefly at the park's headquarters, but they weren't open at the hour I dropped in. So, it was on for a 12 mile stretch of gravel and washboard road to the Patriarch Grove. This is were a stand of Bristle Cone Pines is found at 11,350. Aside from wanting to visit once again, I wanted to participate in the thread on high and low elevations. I got my requisite photo (coming later - after I return home next Monday), and then had the crazy thought that Badwater (Death Valley - the lowest point in continental U.S.) was only 180 miles away. So, I left the high point (and the 50 degree temps) and descended into the valley heading south. In that last 13 miles the temp jumped to the mid-90's. Not too bad... I stopped and reprovisioned with lots of ice gatorade, gassed-up and then it was off to Death Valley and my low point of the day.
Hiway 190 is also great fun. Lots of straights, long sections of twists, and some interesting grades. My main goal was to get to Badwater and get out - it's hot in DV in August. Two hours after departing Lone Pine, and 124 miles later, I was at Badwater. I think I spent 5 minutes - 115 degrees will inspire you to keep moving!!! So, back on the road, retracing my route, and back to my room in Lone Pine, my air conditioned room, the room with the ice bucket and plenty more cold drinks. It was a great day!!! 428 miles, a high a low (in elevation) and a low and a high in temps.
Well, others want to use this PC here in the Motel, so time to sign-off.
Bob
My trip started yesterday at 4:30 AM as I headed out of Napa and flew down the super slab on my way to Manteca. I wanted an early start to miss the heat later in the day. Once in Manteca it was 120 to 108 and then over the Sonora Pass (just as twisty as last week with STPilot). The summit was wonderful and cool as I slipped by at 9:15. I dropped down to 395 and cruised on to Lone Pine. My only mistake in the 406 miles was that I got to Lone Pine too early to check in to my room. I had to hang out and kill time in the lobby (air conditioned, preferable to the 98 degree temps outside).
The real fun started today; up early (well, 6:00, not 4:30) I headed back up 395 to Big Pine (about 40 miles) with the plan of heading east on 168 and then turning north when I got to the entrance to the Ancient Bristle Cone Pine forest.
168 is a snakey road, laid in an arroyo that climbs from 4000 to 9000 feet in only 13 miles. The road builders apparently just bulldozed a road that conforms to the twists and turns of the arroyo. Plenty of whoop-te-doos (sp?), decreasing radius, back-camber, and other exciting curves. I don't remember the width to the entrance, several hundred, if not thousand, yards. However, before you pop-out on the plateau you'll squeak through a one lane section.
The ride into the park has similar pleasures, although you need to take care, since, like last night, the area is subject to thunder storms that leave _lots_ of debris in some of the curves. You don't want to hit this stuff without a generous safety margin.
I stopped briefly at the park's headquarters, but they weren't open at the hour I dropped in. So, it was on for a 12 mile stretch of gravel and washboard road to the Patriarch Grove. This is were a stand of Bristle Cone Pines is found at 11,350. Aside from wanting to visit once again, I wanted to participate in the thread on high and low elevations. I got my requisite photo (coming later - after I return home next Monday), and then had the crazy thought that Badwater (Death Valley - the lowest point in continental U.S.) was only 180 miles away. So, I left the high point (and the 50 degree temps) and descended into the valley heading south. In that last 13 miles the temp jumped to the mid-90's. Not too bad... I stopped and reprovisioned with lots of ice gatorade, gassed-up and then it was off to Death Valley and my low point of the day.
Hiway 190 is also great fun. Lots of straights, long sections of twists, and some interesting grades. My main goal was to get to Badwater and get out - it's hot in DV in August. Two hours after departing Lone Pine, and 124 miles later, I was at Badwater. I think I spent 5 minutes - 115 degrees will inspire you to keep moving!!! So, back on the road, retracing my route, and back to my room in Lone Pine, my air conditioned room, the room with the ice bucket and plenty more cold drinks. It was a great day!!! 428 miles, a high a low (in elevation) and a low and a high in temps.
Well, others want to use this PC here in the Motel, so time to sign-off.
Bob