And Then There Were 2 1/4 – Bishop, CA
Turns out we’re not the only fools hanging around the Eastern Sierra’s on the edge of winter. Besides the sprinkling of rigs that we’ve seen in the campgrounds, there are a select few (the smartest, the stupidest or the coolest?) meandering down Hwy 395 with the intent of sucking out the very last seasonal marrow from the mountains. One of these happens to live in a van, takes up a trifling amount of space, is passably hygienic, plays live sax music (seriously -> check out his latest blog recording), and qualifies as an all-around relaxed cool dude.
The 1/4-sized red-bed-lined-go-anywhere-mobile and us had stayed in loose contact since our last get-together in Arizona and when we scored a super-sweet boondocking site large enough to handle 20 of said puny vehicles, we invited him over to join us. To Simplify rolled in the very afternoon we set-up, slotted into a small portion of the view and has been hanging with us ever since.
We were now three….or rather more precisely around 2 1/4.
Our new location is a spot we discovered last year, the barren, yet strikingly beautiful Bishop Volcanic Tablelands. Formed over 700,000 years ago by materials spewing from the Long Valley caldera in the northwest, this rocky plateau is a boldering, biking and hiking wonderland. There are only a select few “beast-size” camping options, requiring some effort to get into, but once here you can enjoy near 360-degree views and lots of quiet. Having rock n’rolled our way over the teeth-chattering dirt road to get here, we all decided to call it home for a while.
And there is no end of stuff you can do here….
Bishop is an area we’ve visited multiple times before and it’s quite the little cornucopia of hidden treasures. From the high alpine lakes of the John Muir Wilderness, to the ancient bristlecones of the White Mountains, the historical petrogylphs of Fish Slough, interesting museums, great food (Thai, Mexican, burgers etc.), hot springs & local farms you could literally spend a few months getting to know it all. It’s also low enough in elevation (~4,500 feet) to get us out of the main trajectory of the high mountain storms, yet it has a view large enough to let you enjoy it all from your front window.
And we managed the move just in time, too.
Mere days after we arrived the first snowstorm hit the mountains from our last site, leaving a sprinkling of white topping along their edges. The effects of orographic lift (=when an air mass is forced from a low elevation to a higher elevation as it moves over rising terrain) enhanced our view by creating spectacular and unusual cloud formations. It’s an effect I look forward to everytime we travel this route, and the high mountain-top sierra winds always deliver. From the seductive swirls of the “Sierra Wave” to UFO-like Lenticular Clouds and everything in-between, sunset becomes the best kind of live theatre you could ever imagine. No two days are ever the same.
As cool as this spot is winter weather is still nipping at our heels so today we move on, seeking yet lower elevation and our next spot. More nomad meet-ups are in our future, as well as (most likely) our annual trip to a certain hot springs down south. Maybe we’re not so foolish after all?
Related Posts:
- Boondocking & Bumming – Bishop, CA
- $2 Gourmet Meals, Railroads & Some Apples – Bishop, CA
- The Oldest Living Things On Earth – Ancient Bristlecone Forest, CA
- Land Of A Thousand Apline Lakes – John Muir Wilderness, CA
Fabulous write up and PICTURES!!!
I know you said you enjoyed my coast blogs even though you left so recently, but I feel the same way about your 395 blogs. I so love the desert, and when at the coast, I do miss that dry air. Ah yes…the perfection of the RV life…go anywhere…and don’t get caught in snow, blizzards, rain storms, gales…etc. etc. etc…at least most of the time we don’t get caught, right?!
Indeed..so many places, so many great memories, and the freedom to move between them all. We sure love this lifestyle.
Nina
This is an area we are excited to visit. It has so much to offer. How nice to have this little meeting…2 1/4 is correct!
I’m even wondering if I should have made it 2 1/8…I think we could aaaalmost fit 8 of those vans inside our rig 🙂
Nina
Ah, we have fond memories of the Volcanic Tablelands. Had it not been for the govt shutdown last year we would not have found that nice boondocking area so close to Bishop. You’ve been lucky with the weather!
Gayle
Same is true for us. We only discovered this spot because of the shut-down last year.
Nina
Good gosh, another post about Bishop?! GREAT!! I even linked back to read some of the older posts.
A common theme between them all, are your super shots of the sunsets… That is such a cool shot with the unique clouds.
Enjoy, and hope the winter storm blowing thru is kind to you all:)!
Best,
Smitty
You can’t go wrong with sunset shots here in the Sierra’s. They’re always pretty spectacular. Makes for easy photography 🙂
Nina
Good day Nina, Paul and guests! Looks like yet another great spot in the Bishop area. But, could you clarify for us whether it’s okay to “camp” there. In looking at the “Volcanic Tablelands” BLM link you provided, I was left with a impression or “tone” in the reading that, although it’s fine for sorted recreational activities, when they discuss “camping”, the BLM is directing us to a nearby formal campground. Wassup?
Camping is allowed with 14-day limit. BLM prefers that you use the formal campground (Horton Creek -> which is lovely, by the way and only $5/night, but it closed end of Oct), but they are OK with you camping on the tablelands too. We had the BLM ranger come by our 1st day here and chatted with him.
Of course if you are in any doubt, I always make the same recommendation -> call the BLM office.
Nina
What a cool spot. Sounds like a really must see type of place to add to the list. THX. If you make your way toward the Ocotillo area, head on up to Agua Caliente.
The Casino? I haven’t explored much around Agua Caliente, but I do know there is a Casino up there. Any other good recommendations there?
Nina
I wasn’t aware there was camping up on the bluffs overlooking the Lower Owens. Very cool. And Yeah, if you like watching clouds, the Sierras provide quite a show.
Always the very best cloud formations here. Nowhere else comes close IMHO.
Nina
Great Photos’s & Stories. Love the Sax. 🙂
The sax was pretty cool, I do admit. Not a bad accompaniment to the view.
Nina
Thanks,brings back memories of our travels along 395 and time in Bishop last year.
This is a pretty special area.
Nina
Wow! Beautiful site and views. Didn’t know there was boondocking around there. Thanks. Definitely want to look into that area. You going to be near Quartzsite this year?
Quartzsite is in our jello plans. Haven’t completely decided to go, but we’re considering it. There’s a good chance we’ll end up there.
Nina
Hi…just wanted to let you know that we were in Schats in early Oct this year and I did notice that they had a few gluten free things now. If you are still in the area it could be worth a phone call to check it out…Happy trails!
Ah, we missed it! Good to know though. We’ve always avoided the place for lack of gluten free, but now that they’ve started to offer some options we’ll definitely be hitting it up next time around.
Nina
If you go thru tehachipi going south, beware huge winds. Just drive thru with my Bobcat trailer and it’s nasty there.
Yeah that’s pretty typical for the area. Always lots of wind in those passes. I’ll check the forecast before we drive further south.
Nina
43mph gusts here in Yuma this morning. Might exceed 50mph later today.
It was gusty here last night too. Had to pull all the slides in, and the poor tenters next door had their tent ripped to shreds. Desert winds……part of the sacrifice we make to spend winter down here.
Stay safe!
Nina
Is that the same van that is owned by the Man in the Van with the Plan? I still remember that article of yours!
Yup, the very same one. Nina
Those are some incredible cloud shots!
Lots of wind in the desert right now, good for soaking and watching the palm trees sway…
We may be coming your way soon. Those Palm trees (and hot springs) are calling to us.
Nina
what a great post and fabulous photos…I am so waiting for us to do this highway…it can not come soon enough..
Love those cloud pics! Gorgeous!
I like that 1/4-size for easy access to remote areas where views like you have happen. Bought a cabover camper today and am sleeping in the desert tonight. Was in the low 30s when I woke this morning in Yarnell.
Low 30’s here too last night..might get a tad chillier tonight. We are currently right next to Mt, Whitney so we are losing the sun at around 3:30pm making for looong nights.
Your go-anywhere cabover sounds sweet. Pics on the blog coming I hope?
Nina
Spectacular cloud photos, Nina, and a landscape that brings peace to the soul. Thanks for capturing the beauty.
It’s soothing stuff out here.
Nina
Mesmerizing skies and wide open spaces, shared with other tribal members……good stuff!
I’ve got to get over to 395!!! Say “Hi” to the Simple Guy from “Dumpcake Bobbie and Mark.” He’ll know it means 🙂
Box Canyon Mark from Lovely Ouray, Colorado…currently camped in Utah
Will do!! If I recall he rolled into Ouray earlier this year & dumpcake was definitely on the menu 🙂
Nina
I can’t believe you guys are still hanging out in the Sierras! Love those lenticular clouds, amazing sunsets, and that awesome rainbow. 🙂
We are most definitely pushing the envelope. We’re having surprisingly warm weather (for the time of season), but we’re definitely on the edge.
Nina
Wow! Love your blog, especially about the Bishop-Lone Pine areas along Route 395.
After eight years full-timing, we have pulled the plug as my wife strongly hinted it was time to split our time in the RV with time in a more permanent residence. After looking at homes, condos, and apts in Eugene and Bend, Oregon, we finally decided on a nice townhouse apt overlooking a small golf course here in Eugene. After a month of nearly solid rain, however, I yearn for the open skies and spaces of Route 395. My wife is happy, happy, happy in the midst of old friends and family. “Happy wife, Happy Life” as the saying goes. But man o man, I am having a tough time adjusting to the urban scene and not searching for a boondocking site in the Southwest this time of year. And the sunshine! Hard to find during the Northwest winters.
We chose the apt over anything more permanent to allow us an easy exit. But…as far as I am concerned, RVing is the way to go. Enjoy every minute of it. (I may skidaddle out of here in January and spend several months in Arizona just to find the sunshine and desert blooms.) In the meantime, thanks for sharing. As they say in England…your blog is “Brilliant”.
I totally get your situation. We often think about getting a “home base” in Oregon, but are torn by our love of variety and the open SW desert in the winter. Hard to give up this lifestyle, that’s for sure and finding that perfect balance after you do is really tough too. Here’s hoping you manage some sun and part-time travels this winter.
Nina
Wish we were there to add our campervan and make it a full three! Will be in AZ by January – would love to meet you all in person.
Say hi to Chris, Cherie, and Glenn!
if it wasn’t so cold up there I would come just to hear the sax in that setting…