Yellowstone 2018-5

And Points North

Today would be largely spent covering ground.  I have been along this route, or pieces of it, many times over the years.  My plans do not cover stopping over at any of these towns or attraction, but for the uninitiated US-395 traveler I offer these points of interest in order from south to north:

Manzanar National Historic Site – this is one of the internment camps to which ethnic Japanese were relocated after the United States entred World War II.  Although most of the detainees caught by this panic driven policy were native born American Citizens, they were stripped of their freedom and property without due process of law.  The camp is being rebuilt and as of 2018 the recreation hall, some dorms and guard towers have been restored.  The recreation hall houses an exemplary interpretive center that is quite moving. A must see!

Independence, CA – One of the towns along US-395. Home to Fort Independence and the Eastern California Museum.

Big Pine, CA – Western terminus of Death Valley Road (yes, it crosses the Inyo Mountains to Death Valley National Park). And the western terminus of Ancient Bristlecone Scenic Byway, access to the Ancient Bristlecone Forest; a must for you budding naturalists.

Bishop, CA – As described in an earlier post plus the Laws Townsite Historic Railroad Museum four miles out of town on U.S. 6.  If you are a toper, you must visit at least one of Bishop’s many saloons for a libation.  You must!

Mammoth Lakes, CA – Ski Mecca in winter.  Sportsman’s paradise in summer.

June Lake, CA – People who fish really like the place.  Yeah, I don’t get it either.

Lee Vining, CA and Mono Lake – this little hamlet is the eastern terminus of Tioga Pass Road (CA-120) from Yosemite.  The pass is closed each winter; the opening dates are dependent on snowfall. Mono lake is a vestige of the havoc rent on the Sierra watershed by Los Angeles DWP diversion described in a previous post.  Although the actions are now considered quite destructive environmentally, they did create a landscape hard to match.

Bodie State Historic Park – Look for the signs directing you to CA-270.  These buildings of this large mining town are largely in the same condition as when the mining operations ceased thanks to the high elevation and arid climate.  If you have found yourself disappointed by ghost towns yielding only a few rusted relics and obscure adobe building foundations, this will restore your ardor for antiquities.  It is several miles east of US-395, but the turnoff is reasonably well marked. If you are in Bridgeport, you missed it.  Road not recommended for Ferraris, et al.

Bridgeport, CA – a place to turn around if you missed the turnoff to Bodie.

After Bridgeport, the population really thins out and opportunity for adventure off the main route belongs to the intrepid explorer.  There is a quaint little place on the map named Holbrook junction… but truth is, I blew right passed it, knowledge limited to its presence on the map. Shortly beyond that, U.S.-395 steals into the State of Nevada.  To the west is Humboldt Toiyabe Nat’l Forest and Lake Tahoe. U.S.-395 traverses several miles of flat farmland then rolls into Carson City, the capital of Nevada.  There is no shortage of historical attractions in this town.  If you are planning a trip to this area, allow for enough days to explore the historic districts of Carson City, Lake Tahoe and Virginia City (home of the Comstock Lode). This was not my first visit here so my needs were rather simple: A chocolate malt near the State Capitol and a bug-free motel room that cost way too much.