End of Summer - 395 North to Death Valley

OverlanderJK

Resident Smartass
Headed out over the weekend for a little "End of Summer Getaway". Decided to head north up 395 to Mammoth and then back south to Death Valley and home. Below is a quick trip report.

Making a spot to see the desert dwellers.

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Quick trip into the earth to cool down a bit

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Lots of water flowing from the mountains

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After working our way a little farther north we hit dirt again

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Found some snow a little further up

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And access denied! Too much snow to pass

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Quick hike up about a 1/4 mile or so and we saw what we came for. The beautiful Laurel Lakes

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View looking back down the valley

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We did not end up hiking all the way to the lake and will save that for the next time in a few weeks so we headed back down and made a quick stop at the creek.

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Quick photo op before heading off the trail

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Due to not booking a hotel we could not stay in Mammoth or Bishop as planned so we headed back south to Lone Pine. Made a quick stop at Manzanar before hitting the hotel.

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Day 2 started out with a trip to Manzanar to check out the grounds and the museum.

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After leaving Manzanar we headed south toward Death Valley. Temps got a little warm down there.

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Heading down to Death Valley we stopped at Father Crawley Point

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After a quick 8 mile ride on some dirt we found some sushi

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Quick stop at Darwin Zinc Prospect

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Death Valley!

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From there we headed to the town of Ballarat where we checked out the jail and hotel...?

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Tex Watson's truck. Manson family member.

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Headed up Middle Park Canyon to Goldbug Mine

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From there we cut over Andrew headed down Pleasent Cayon where we saw a long ass

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Once we hit the main road we headed south to what I thought would take us back to Ridgecrest but I completely forgot about that big ol China Lake Naval Weapons Base that is down there. Needless to say we had to turn around after about 15 miles. Shortly after turning around the TPMS went off. Not sure how this little twig punctured the tire but luckily I had my ARB repair kit.

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Didn't take anymore pictures after that. Had a blast exploring without a set plan. Most places I had been to before but still cool to check out again.
 
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Very cool! Looks like a great weekend! [emoji106] No invite, that's cool... [emoji6]


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Thought you moved to Georgia. [emoji12]

Sweet shots. :thumb:

Sweet pictures, thanks for sharing your trip. I miss living in down there.


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thanks for sharing, looks like a great time!

Thanks! It was a nice little getaway.


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Great trip! That tunnel looked like fun. Manzanar is a a somber reminder of how different mindsets were back than for sure. Really looks like you guys had a good time. Scres tbat heat though lol. Thx for sharing

It's half past f'it with the CAPS lock on!
 
Great photos and trip write-up! Death Valley looks like an awesome place to explore!
 
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