Post
by bluevireo » Thu Aug 22, 2013 11:12 pm
There are two hotsprings near Bridgeport, which is about 1.5 hrs N of Bishop and 2 hrs S of Reno. The more remote hotspring is near Buckeye campground along a narrow dirt road west of town (between Twin Lakes Rd and 395). I'm not sure about using a larger RV along this road, but I've seen large trucks on the road so it may be okay. It's perhaps best to access it from Twin Lakes Rd, both in and out, rather than taking Buckeye Rd that goes back N from the hotspring to 395 since I recall this section of road to be fairly narrow with blind corners, and you're fairly high up on a ridge (great views though). The second hotsprings - Travertine - is accessed about 1/2 mile S from the center of Bridgeport, turning east on Jack Sawyer Rd. and following a dirt road about 1 mile. Because of its closeness to 395, it is extremely popular and crowded with locals and families in summer.
Last I checked, the hotsprings in Hot Creek near Mammouth Lakes (about 1/2 hour N of Bishop) were closed because of severe injuries from the scalding water. It's nice to see the steaming Hot Creek from the roadside south of town (between 395 and the "old highway," but I wouldn't go exploring in the water without a local guide because of many safety issues that have happened over the years. It may be mostly fenced off by now anyway.
As far as the route from LV, I'd head north from LV, probably to Pahrump, NV and take 372/178 to Shoshone, CA and then south a few miles to China Camp and do a hike there along the creek and date palm farm, and then enjoy a date shake before heading N to Hwy 190 - Death Valley. Another idea is to take Nevada Hwy 95 (or 160) N to 373 and then drop south to 190 - Death Valley passing Ash Meadows Nat'l Wildlife Refuge. I enjoy birdwatching and it's migration season, so both China Camp and Ash Meadows are hopping with migrant wildlife these days. Regardless if those two places interest you, I think these two routes are much more interesting visually, varied and off-the-beaten path than taking the Interstate Hwy 15 west from LV and then taking Hwy 58 to 395.
Regardless of which route you take, the entire area west of Las Vegas to the Sierras is essentially the very hot and very dry Mojave Desert, so have twice as much ice and water than you think you'll need and then double it.
Taking 395 is much longer, obviously, but driving along the eastern edge of the Sierra is spectacular. If anyone in your group hasn't been to Yosemite, it's well worth the hour drive (and $20 entrance fee that's good for a week) up to Tuolomne Meadows and Olmstead Point from Lee Vining to do a little hiking in the area. Better - if you have the time after BM - is to return via 395 and take 120 west all the way to Hwy 140 Yosemite Valley itself (hopefully the large fire in the northern part of Yosemite will be controlled in two weeks, but as of now I think 120 to 140 into the valley is still open). From Yosemite Valley you can get back to LV by taking Hwy 41 through Fresno to Interstate Hwy 5 (stop at Mariposa Grove in Wawona). Hwy I-5 connects to Hwy 58 in Bakersfield, to Barstow and onto LV.
Along 395 itself, I'd stop at the Visitor Center at Mono Lake (overlooks the lake in Lee Vining just east of 395) and then drive out to the south shore and walk out to the tufa formations. There's also a nice county park just north of the lake close to 395 that's a good stopping point for a food/rest break with a short trail down to the lake with intersting signage about the lake levels over the years. If you have time, Hwy 203 goes through Mammoth Lakes west up the hill (Minaret Rd) to a great overlook of the sierras and the Minarets rock formation. It's a paved road and should be fine for a large RV. Bodie State Park is actually quite interesting too, which is about 10 miles east of 395 ($5-10 entrance fee) between Mono Lake and Bridgeport. Finally, Lake Tahoe is worth the short side trip on Hwy 50 from Carson City if you haven't seen it before, perhaps for a swim in the (very cold) lake and then lunch or dinner at South Lake Tahoe.
