395 / Bishop / Independence...

[jlrray]

Thinking about going up the 395 for my anniversary. We'd like to do some fly fishing and camp away from civilization. Any recomendations? Hopefully, the distance from san diego that wont be bad for 3 days.

Joe

[yvrr]

If you drive north of Mammoth a few miles and turn east on the road to Big Spring, there are a number of dirt roads leading away from the road into the trees. There are many places to camp legally in that area. Try to get a little way away from 395 or you will hear the traffic from that highway. We've camped in that area several times. There are also some dirt roads leading west from 395 before you get to the Big Spring road which can get you to some camping areas.

[Jeffrey]

The spots Jack recommends are beautiful, but the famous fly fishing areas are near Tom's Place and south, I believe.

[pjpvi]

Do a forum search for "Laurel Lakes" and check out this link.

http://www.gbr.4wdtrips.net/4x4/laurel.htm

I haven't been there, but on my list.

Phil

[Ford_6L_E350]

I like the National Forest camping behind Tom's Place. You can camp up at 10,000 feet.

Be sure to stop in Bishop and get some Sheepherders bread.

Mike

[Skywagon]

Sheepherder bread at Schat's Bakery, on the left going North. 763 N. Main. Good stuff!
Bill

[yvrr]

I will add that you can also get Sheepherder's bread at the Schat's Bakery in Mammoth. (The two Schat's Bakeries were originally owned by brothers who had a falling out. The brother in Mammoth got a divorce a couple of years ago and the ex-wife got the bakery...the two bakeries now work together again.)

Since trout don't seem to get up that early, we time our visit to the bakery around 10:00 am for turkey sandwiches to go...real turkey not deli turkey and on Sheepherder's bread of course!

We haven't found the fishing too profitable on the road out of Tom's Place along Rock Creek. However, if you do camp along this road, the very last campground before Rock Creek Lake is very small (meaning that large RVs with generators can't fit) and within walking distance of a small resort (Rock Creek Lodge) which has showers for rent and serves meals. At the lake itself is Rock Creek Lakes Resort:

http://www.rockcreeklake.com/resort/

Get there early in the morning (but not too early) and buy a couple of pieces of pie to have later...they make all of their own pies and sell only by the slice...too many people were getting upset that all of the pie was gone before they arrived!

[jstanley]

Try:
Cerro Gordo east of Lone Pine
Mazourka Canyon Road east of Independance
Eureka Sand Dunes 1 hr east of Big Pine
Coyote Flat above Bishop
Sand Canyon road to the top of the Wheeler crest up Rock Creek Canyon
White and Inyo Mountains
Casa Diablo and the Banner range east of Crowley lake
Sawmill Meadows in the Glass Mountains east of Crowley Lake
Laurel Lakes above Mammoth
Sweetwater Mountains northeast of Bridgeport.

[Greggd]

Joe ,
Your best fishing is from the Sherwin Summit North! Upper Owens is fishing well at Benton Crossing and if you drive onto and into the Sage Flats directly above the Owens you can camp safely . You can also find numerous spots out of Bridgeport on the East Walker River , many right along the river , but be prepared for Mosquitos .
Greggde
PS if you stop at Ricks in Bridgeport Ca. and purchase a Nevada Fishing permit you can cross the border a shot distance from Bridgeport and fish what I consider the best fishing for large fish in the Southern portion of the Eastern Sierra , and Nevada has more lenient camping/ boon docking regulations .