Boundary Peak, Inyo Natl. Forest

[Christopher Thwaites]

We have camped in the little meadow at the trail head and are planning to head up for some camping and hiking sometime between now and Oct. Planning at least one night at Benton Hot Springs. We have never stopped there but somebody from the forum posted pictures and comments about it and it looks nice. I would appreciate any feedback and if you are interested in meeting up let's talk.
Chris and Ruth

[Ford_6L_E350]

Chris,

I'm heading to the Grand Canyon in October, and I'd be interested in meeting up in Benton Hot Springs if we can work it out.

I'm thinking I will leave Santa Clara around Oct 12th, but nothing is locked in yet.

Mike

[charlie56]

Hi Chris

Dina and I have spent a few nights around Benton Hot Springs. Let me kow what information you areent looking for.

If its late enough in October we might be interested.

[Jeffrey]

Never did the hot springs, but I've been to the trailhead and hiked a ways up the trail. It's a remote location and few people go there compared to the popular places nearby. I love the White Mountains go there often. Boundary Peak is the second highest in California.

[Christopher Thwaites]

Thanks folks,
We just nailed down our travel dates. We will leave Santa Rosa on Aug. 27th and take 2 days to get to Boundary Peak, staying at Benton Hot Springs the evening of the 27th or 28th. If anyone has camp spot suggestions for the White Mountains in addition to Boundary Peak please advise. Not sure which pass we will use over the Sierras but we will use 120 to move east from 395. I have seen some interesting roads heading back into the forests along 120 but have never explored the area. We might do that going or coming. Anybody explored that area? Charlie? Mike? Jeffrey?
Chris and Ruth

[Jeffrey]

Chris/Ruth,

If you're going to be in and around the Whites, then see more of them! After a night at Boundary Pk TH, if you're still on the east side of the range. head into Deep Springs Valley and at the old townsite of White Mtn City (nearly nothing at all left there) a dirt road climbs up through Wyman Canyon and takes you to the man road along the top of the whites that connects the Schulman and Patriarch Groves. At the main intersection is also the road the descends Silver Canyon to Laws and Bishop. Or if you come south on rt 6 through the Chalfont Valley after going over Montgomery Pass and thru Benton, turn east at Laws (by the wonderful RR museum worth visiting) and head up Silver Canyon. Requires low range. (These roads have the most amazing views of the Sierra Range. Heading north towards the Patriarch grove, about three miles before you're there, is a right turn to Crooked Creek and further on to Cottonwood Basin, one of the prettiest and remote places in the range. I can't recommend this area enough. I've been there dozens of times often staying at the Crooked Creek Research Station (which you will pass along the road) for a week at a time for photography workshops.

A google map of Deep Springs Valley where Wyman canyon roads exit (or starts)."

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=21 ... 4,0.176296

Other links:

http://www.sonic.net/bristlecone/intro.html



An Ancient Bristlecone Pine, Patriarch Grove (photo by me):

[Christopher Thwaites]

Jeffrey,
Thanks for the info and links.
Chris

[Christopher Thwaites]

Jeffrey,
Thanks again for the tips. We ended up with only a day to get up to Patriarch Grove and that area. WOW! Going up Silver Canyon was a bit tense for me but the views are amazing. It was late in the day so we only got to Patriarch Grove then turned around and went down to Big Pine and spent the night in Bishop. I'll get back there for sure and head into the areas we missed someday.
Chris

[pjpvi]

Ah, Benton Hot Springs, I remember it well!


Hope you enjoy the trip!

Phil