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Trip to Mono Lake?

sv2007

sv2007

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 12, 2007
Location
Sunnyvale
Moto(s)
Majesty YP400
Anybody interested in going w/ me on a ride to see Mono Lake?

I've never seen this lake first hand. It is worth visiting?

I'm flexible on the dates (weekend/weekday ok) but I'd like to do the trip in 1 or at most 2 days starting from the bay area.
 
sv2007 said:
Anybody interested in going w/ me on a ride to see Mono Lake?

I've never seen this lake first hand. It is worth visiting?

I'm flexible on the dates (weekend/weekday ok) but I'd like to do the trip in 1 or at most 2 days starting from the bay area.
Click to expand...

It's quite worth seeing. The ride is doable in a day, including leaving enough time to go through the visitor's center at the lake. If you want to leave more time to explore the lake shore and see some of the tufas up close, it might be better to stay the night in Lee Vining or somewhere over that way.

A nice route is Sonora Pass (108) east; 395 south to the lake and Tioga (120) to return through Yosemite.
 
No time to join you. Sorry.

BUT

Make sure you ride the stretch of 120 east from from 395 all the way to HWY 6. And Back.
deal.gif
 
I've been to Mono Lake. It's alright. :) It was some time ago that I went and camped there though, maybe 10 years ago? I thought it was nice, but not as amazing as I was expecting. The cool rock formations you see in the pics are only on a small section of the lake.

I think this photo pretty much sums it up.

http://www.pashnit.com/pics/road5/Hwy120/MichaelMaloney_MonoLake.jpg

I was more impressed with the scenery around Mono Lake then the lake itself.
 
Thanks for your suggestions. Hopefully somebody else will also want to go see Mono Lake before it dries up :)

I'd very much welcome other rider(s); not only to the company but also for mutual assistance.

tzrider said:
It's quite worth seeing. ..
Click to expand...

Glad to hear that. I've been wanting to check it out. Now that I have a motorcycle and some experience on it, I figure, hey now's a good time.

A nice route is Sonora Pass (108) east; 395 south to the lake and Tioga (120) to return through Yosemite.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if I'll take 108 especially if I end up going by myself. I was planning 120 and back, detouring Yosemite valley for the waterfalls. I've been on 108 and it is a nice mountains/forest road but not as well patrol/used as 120 during summer.

Make sure you ride the stretch of 120 east from from 395 all the way to HWY 6. And Back.
Click to expand...

Would you please elaborate? Since I'm already there, I don't mind adding a little more road to see/experience something interesting.
 
I want to make a trip out to that area sometime soon, but I'd want to stay and ride a few days (and maybe hike in yosemite). I could ride out with you maybe.

What's your time frame for doing this?
 
Lupin said:
I've been to Mono Lake. It's alright. :) It was some time ago that I went and camped there though, maybe 10 years ago? I thought it was nice, but not as amazing as I was expecting. The cool rock formations you see in the pics are only on a small section of the lake.

I think this photo pretty much sums it up.

http://www.pashnit.com/pics/road5/Hwy120/MichaelMaloney_MonoLake.jpg

I was more impressed with the scenery around Mono Lake then the lake itself.
Click to expand...

I wanted to go visit it since about 10yrs ago after watching a documentary about it. Did some research back then but never got around to visit it. Thanks for the heads up though because I should lower my expectations (10yrs of growth there).
 
luckett said:
I want to make a trip out to that area sometime soon, but I'd want to stay and ride a few days (and maybe hike in yosemite). I could ride out with you maybe.

What's your time frame for doing this?
Click to expand...

Sure, I'd be happy to ride there w/ you. My time frame is fairly flexible since I'm willing to take a day off work to do this.

Are you going to hike valley or high country trails? I've done many of them years ago.
 
I am interested, but it depends on the when... Can't do in the next couple of weeks. Throw up the when.
 
I don't have any plans yet for anything yet. I'm leaving tomorrow for a ride which will keep me away for about 10 days. We can discuss further when I return.
 
Would you please elaborate? Since I'm already there, I don't mind adding a little more road to see/experience something interesting.
Click to expand...

Generally unpatrolled. Wide open spaces peppered with BIG roller coaster like dips. Ride out conservatively to make sure there's nothing in the dips, then ride back like a mad man, enjoying the moments of air.
 
boney said:
Generally unpatrolled. Wide open spaces peppered with BIG roller coaster like dips. Ride out conservatively to make sure there's nothing in the dips, then ride back like a mad man, enjoying the moments of air.
Click to expand...

:thumbup

Plenty of tar snakes in the twisty parts, unfortunately. But the dips are great. :teeth
 
sv2007 said:
I've been on 108 and it is a nice mountains/forest road but not as well patrol/used as 120 during summer.
Click to expand...

That's what I like about it!

It is a bit unique in that the corners aren't laid out to be easy; in fact some are quite tricky. And there are almost no signs to recommend speed or display arrows telling you which way the road goes. I love that, personally. If you take your time don't out ride your sight lines it shouldn't be a problem.

If you do decide to go that way, get an early start from the Bay Area and arrive in Bridgeport in time for a late breakfast. Stop at the Hayes Street Cafe at the south end of town for quite possibly the best breakfast on the east side of the Sierra.

See if you can plan your gas stops to avoid getting gas in Bridgeport, as the gas prices are often the highest in the US. Gas will be cheaper in Lee Vining if you can make it the additional 35 miles. On 108, a gas stop in Cold Springs should give you the range to make it to Lee Vining.
 
...and camping is easy as there are plenty of pseudo roads that take off from 120 and head into the forest...

..and yes, 120 east of 395 all the way to Benton Hot Springs is a great ride.


unfortunately, it's a lousy place to have a friend throw a chain :)
 
Easy one day trip. Up over 4 or 108, south to Mono Lake, then come back over 120. :ride:ride
 
Worth visiting? Yes. As are places along the way

I don't have any mono lake pix online, so I'll post these instead from high country that you'll pass through on 120. Don't be afraid to stop up there for for a lil hiking.

A lil north of tioga pass, I think from july 2006:
conness-1.jpg


A short hike south from 120, from june this year:
IMG_0735.jpg


Stop at the mobil station in Lee Vining for a meal. Tioga Pass Resort further up 120 is also worthy of a meal stop.
 
There is a nice beach on the southern side of the lake called Navy Beach. There is even a hot springs right on the shore if you walk west from the beach. Just pay attention to the "Deep Sand - 4 Wheel Drive Recommended" signs on the little roads that go around the lake. They mean it...

IMG_0172.jpg



WoodsChick
 
120 is a great ride! Then stop at Benton Hot Springs and relax just know this time of year we are talking miserable HOT
 
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