Mammoth Baby Mammoth! (June 20-22)

The original plan was for Paul and I to backpack in and climb Charlotte Dome via a classic 5.8 route that had been on our "list" for some time.  Then, back in the winter, I just stopped climbing and started riding bikes.  Alot.  Just like that.  So when it came time to finalize our trip, I had to come clean with Paul and tell him I was a complete climbing slug and not really capable of doing the trip.  Since he's a good friend and all around solid guy he understood, and was OK with his weenie friend flaking on him ( hope I have not sunk to this level).  Sorry (again) dude.

Norman Clyde would never let a climbing buddy down....

So that left us with the enviable task of coming up with a Plan B.  After a series of email exchanges, We decided to attempt an eastside "hat trick" that included climbing, fishing and mountain biking.

Thursday afternoon

In my opinion, the key to a successful 3 day weekend is the early getaway.  Sure, fighting LA rush hour traffic to get out of town, careening bleary eyed up Hwy 395 at midnight, and getting 2 hours of sleep make for good stories, but in reality it just gets things off to a tired start.  So we were fortunate to be rolling towards the high Sierra by early afternoon.  A stop at the Lone Pine True Value for a few last minute items and a much needed restroom break.  Yeah, there is a story behind that restroom break.

A place that seems to have everything - including restrooms

Dinner at Amigos and then a battle with the mosquitoes before turning in at the Pleasant Valley Reservoir campground.

Friday
As a consolation for not climbing Charlotte Dome, I agreed to half a day of sport climbing in the Owens Gorge - i figured half a day was about as long as i was going to last before my forearms were done!  Ran into an interesting obstacle a half mile before the parking area:

I don't think Home Depot has a patch for this

The run off did  a little road damage

So we had to to hike the last little bit of road to get the the entrance to the Gorge -  where we were reminded of the rules:

I don't like to break rules - but I did end up posing a bit

It was late in the climbing season (a little on the warm side) so we had the whole place to ourselves for the first few hours.  I couldn't rally sufficient mojo to climb with much self respect, but i was an excellent belayer for Paul.

Paul surveying our options

We rounded out the day with some fishing on the Owens River.  Access can be hard (overgrown) but we were able to catch enough to keep us happy for the rest of the afternoon.

Now we're talking!

We spent the night at the New Shady Rest campground in Mammoth Lakes.  Nice place that is able to pack a lot of folks in and still keep things quiet.  Never had camped here, but would certainly come back.

Saturday

Question:  which is easier:

 (a) pedaling your bike up a dirt road for 3-4,000 feet?

 (b) having a gondola ferry you and your bike up the same 3-4,000 feet?

If you guessed (b), you know why Mammoth does a bang up business in the summer with their lift/gondola serviced bike park.  

No need for the small chainring here

What a great day!  We "rode" over 45 miles (even pedaled a few) and came away with big smiles on our (tired) faces.  Descending the single track routes is actually harder than you would think, and I know i was mentally as well as physically worked by the end of the day.  We rode the whole mountain and finished with a traverse that came out at the outlet of Twin Lakes.  The speedy descent back into town on the new (paved) bike path was a perfect end to our riding day.

Paul is all smiles

Great trails and cool features

Camping never means that you have to settle for lousy food, and tonight was no different.  We even had a hawk swoop into camp and join us for dinner.  Sorry buddy, no leftovers for you.

Grilled pork tenderloin and veggie skewers

hey,.... you guys gonna eat all that?