Going to Portugal and Spain in July,probably won't have the funds to do both so close together we'll have to see! Maybe

Mike and I are making a run up to Mammoth this weekend. Any input for attractions or places we should check into would be appreciated before we leave early Saturday morning. Thanks for the offer.
Marty

Just spent the past 45 minutes typing up songwri somethingting for you guys, only to have my computer crash and lose everything.

Give me a night to regain my composure and I'll send you something tomorrow.

My wife and I were just up there. The road from Mono Lake to near Benton that then cuts back over to Mammoth Lakes is a great driving road. Not particularly long, but really scenic.

Bodie isn't far, Victoria Lakes, Convict Lake (good parking and a great place for a picnic), hot springs, Mono Lake (south shore), Rainbow Falls/Devil's Postpile, Yosemite... Tons of stuff all pretty close by.

Averages... high mid 70s, low mid 40s. I'd rather be drinking indoors too

I stayed at the Juniper Springs Resort last summer. Very nice townhouse and condo style accommodations. Maybe the best part for us, indoor parking garage.

I stayed at the Village Lodge this past summer over the 4th of July. It's more centrally located but did cost a few dollars more.

Mammoth mountain held its last downhill ski runs on the 4th. Huge party!

No kidding! 70 is down jacket weather now that I'm in Phoenix

marked on my calendar - hope to be there - just waiting for hotel reservation info - thanks again!, brad in seattle

I'm already there waiting for everyone!

Like

Hey Tony (Cracker),

Your idea for a trip with your son sounds like a great father/son trip!!!

Dee

22 h 10 min (1,520 miles)

Might be a good break in trip for the 4.0.

Depends if I can get it done by then.

Just got back from doing a little recon. Mammoth Mountain Inn is in a good spot, secluded, big campus. I don't think Amoy will get us kicked out.

Click to view attachment
Click to view attachment

There are some cool roads for 914. Fon the hotel to Yosemite Valley floor will be about a 2 hour drive. Entrance fee is $30 and good for 7 days. There is a great spot on the West side of Tuolumne Meadows for a photo opp. Many other too but this one looked great. We did not go into the valley this time as we were on a mission to get to Mammoth.

We also hit up a couple loops around lakes, like the June Lake loop. Lots of cool roads.

We headed out to Bodie (ghost town) on a short cut provided by my iphone. It turned into a 4WD road and Marty had to turn back. My Dodge Diesel made quick work of the sand wash. Ended up being a 10 mile dirt road through a valley and over a mountain. Not a good 914 road. The way out we took the main road which was 3 miles of dirt, then nice pavement. a 914 could eisliy make this road but would be very dusty at the end. I think Bodie is off the list. It is very cool and a must see for all at some point.

Click to view attachment

For those that are towing from the central valley, use Hwy 120 through Yosemite. We took Hwy 108 over the Sonora pass on the way back. This is an awesome road if you are driving your 914 but would be sketchy on the East side of the mountain if you tow. We could do a long tour Hwy 395 to 120 into Yosemite, then on to 108 and back to 395. Would be an awesome 914 drive but maybe 5-6 hours of seat time.

Thanks Mike for doing this (and Marty too)...I only have 3" of ground clearance (I rub on a ripple) I don't mind breaking from the pack to take another route but is there is there one in the vicinity of the off-road/dirt road? Race cars on roads problem.


Tony

Bodie I think will stay on the "Optional" suggested sites for non 914's. I plan on having a good amount of unscheduled sites and maps available to allow for those with extra time built into their schedule to enjoy the area or for those that dont want to take the longer trips that we may schedule.


Mike and Marty, Great recon mission! We have lots of great stuff to discuss!!

Did you go into Bodie off the main road from 395? I ask because there are four or five different roads into the park, most of which are not very well maintained. Only the main road in is any good. It's paved until the last three or so miles. It's good dirt, except for the washboarding in certain sections. No ground clearance issues, even with a lowered 914.

Washboarding sucks, but from what you've described you went in from one of the alternate entrances.

Source: I was there three weeks ago.

Washboarding ain't too bad if you keep the speed up (above 30).

Maybe an adjustment is in the works...for others too!

Tony

I took a "short cut" lead by my iphone navigation system. It was clearly one of the other routes.

On the main road from 395, ground clearance would not be a problem for all but the lowest cars like Matthepcat's car. My car is low and I could make it on the main road. There is only 3 miles of maintained dirt road going this way. The other 4 routes into Bodie should only be driven by Eric Shea's rally car. Which would be a blast!

Marty and I need to make a couple more recon missions before the pass closes. It's supposed to rain this weekend so we will see how much snow falls in the mountain...

If we take 914's here, they WILL get dusty. We should go right before the show and shine.

If you like ghost towns, Bodie is worth the effort.

Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Click to view attachment

If you love the outdoors, you can literally visit a dozen lakes in one day in that area, all near 395.

Click to view attachment
Busy beavers.
Click to view attachment
No, I wasn't leaning on a Tufa. It was yards behind.

I remember you didn't join the cruise to the dirt road site at Octeenerfest!

Race you to the top!

Lowest

I can change lanes without hitting reflectors

Anyone considering camping?

Eh, too cold for me. Average high/low, 70/40.

I think they have some camping spots right up the hill from the Hotel.

And a couple layers of fleece and a good sleeping bag is all you need. 40 degrees at coldest is seriously not cold for anyone who loves camping. All you need is the right gear to stay warm and comfy. Sleeping under the stars up there gives new meaning to stellar! So worth packing the right gear to enjoy night skies that most people never get to see. Up there, viewing satellites and meteors is guaranteed regularly.

Five hours and 36 minutes driving time one way.

I will be there if I get the car done by then.

I better get the car done by then, WAY before then.

Five hours and 22-48 minutes driving time one way for me

I will be there in the P-car or the P-truck or driving the P-truck towing the P-car.

I'd better finish one and not break the other.

* If I go thru Death Valley do I win a high-and-low award?

Looks like they are drunken stumble close enough.

Ooops, my bad. The inn is not in the same place as Mike's map.

NOTE:

Hotel Booking information can be found on the first page as well as the below, We will be at the Mammoth Mountain Inn.

Please use the below for booking your reservation
Booking ID#23451
Call: 1800-626-6684


Pricing structure below (Please ignore the Juniper Springs Resort)

Famous last words! Y'all know she's going to try ...

> I better get the car done by then, WAY before then.

Me too. I hope to have my orange car together...

-Steve

Anh and I can't wait. My car will definitely be on the road by then

booked for two - hopefully, my 914 will have a new coat of paint by then!!! see you guys soon, kinda! - brad in seattle

Reservation made! See you all there!

Anyone want to caravan up from the general bay area?

Im up for a camp fire and sleeping under the stars OUTDOOR DRINKING! is the only way I just need to find some large mountain in cali close to a ghost town and im there
and thanks to all that are putting this together

Reservation made! Don't be a sucker and end up without a room!

15 hrs 1 way im gonna pass on this one thanks anyway...i just know your all heart broken i wont be there have fun be safe

Weak. I am 4.5 days (pulling a damn trailer no less) ...each way.

Tony

Tony,

Are you going to trailer it out or fly?

Thats only a day of travel! The last 2 hours of the trip has amazing scenery!

The "plan" is to trailer out, do WCR & a track day at Sonoma - that would be the ideal scenario. If a date (track day) can't be arranged I seriously have to consider just flying out with my son and renting a car - to trailer or not to trailer? It makes a 9 day difference in the schedule.

T

[quote name='Andyrew' date='Nov 22 2016, 05:55

Tony,

Are you going to trailer it out or fly?
[/quote]

Those scenic 2 hours will be in the pitch black after the drive down. 15.1 hours is unrealistic. Gas stops and straight thru. No fun any more.

maybe with a co pilot it wouldnt be so bad 4.5 days man thats a haul

A week away from the house is not in my future. You guys have fun.

As much as I love Mamoth lakes, (summer and winter playground growing up in So Cal) the southern Oregon border is my limit. Hope to catch the next one, track days are the best time!!!!

Booked and ready to go.. any suggestions of a quaint locale to stay on the way up, maybe 100 miles south ? Would like to see something interesting and shoot pics.