2016-04-13 - US 395 The Eastern Sierra Byway - Bishop to Mammoth Lakes

[@briane173]

When I was a kid 14 - 16 yo we owned a condo right near the corner of Minaret Rd and Main St; and we'd make that 360-mile drive from Long Beach, CA to Mammoth Lakes every weekend during the late fall and winter months to go skiing or hiking. I absolutely loved the trip each and every time we made it. The drive didn't seem long measuring progress by checking off all the towns and landmarks on the way; and the highlight of the drive was this segment here, from Bishop to Mammoth. We'd go from flat, arid, desert climes to alpine forests and snow cover in the span of 30 minutes, and the only word for it was enthralling. I still remember it fondly although I haven't taken 395 down the east slopes of the Sierra in probably 20 years or longer. But I hope to sometime soon. The geography and geology of the Eastern Sierra is like nowhere else in the U.S.

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

Same...but we lived in Riverside ! 325 miles each way. Parents bought a condo there...season skiing pass same age as you. Hiked to all the lakes too like June Mary Duck , etc.

[@briane173]

Did a lot of fishing at Twin Lakes, Lake Mary, Horseshoe Lake (before CO2 started killing off the tree stands there), made one fishing trip to June Lake, and several to Hot Creek and Crowley lake for some fly fishing. My first exposure to the area was Convict Lake. Fell in love with the Mammoth Lakes Sierra at that moment.

[@helenjackman8984]

Fantastic perfect video, the best I have ever watched. I am not the only one who breaks the speed limit on this road.

[@mikeovanes]

This is the best part of the Entire trip... As much fun as skiing.! Wish i had SL65 AMG black series !

[@BrandonClaridge]

This has to be some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the US just by the sheer prominence of the Sierras there and how quickly they rise up from the flat valley floor, such as what you see at 0:50. 5:20 looks quite dramatic as well. Another interesting tidbit is that the end of this video (after 6:20 or so) is inside of the Long Valley Caldera, one of three known (geologically-speaking) recently-active "supervolcanoes" in the USA. The other two are the well-known Yellowstone Caldera, plus the much-lesser-known Valles Caldera in New Mexico. No doubt the Long Valley Caldera also makes the scenery here a bit more dramatic as well.

[@adamszew]

Agreed. The geological history of the region is quite fascinating and sparked by active volcanism. Take the Devils Postpile National Monument, for example. It was created by a basalt-rich lava flow and polished by glaciation. Eventually, the glaciers retreated, leaving the polished top. The Sierra Nevada Mountains sure are special!

[@u4riahsc]

Quite a few hot springs in the area and you do need to be careful around them.

[@AUTOVIAJOSAN]

Gread vid !!! ... Thanks for the uploading 👍

[@AmericanRoads]

Incredible! Must drive this someday!

[@AsphaltPlanet1]

US-395 definitely doesn't disappoint.

[@elnidofan]

We come here every year from the SF Bay Area during the fall. You need to stop over to places like Mcgee Creek, Lundy Lake, Convict Lake and more to really appreciate this area.

[@AsphaltPlanet1]

i've actually only driven through the area just that one time, but I loved it, I'd love to go back. Maybe one day.

[@ramitchauhan5459]

I have lived in California for 7 years but never got a chance to ride on this highway! This is a brilliant portrayal of the esatern side of sierra nevada! And an excellent choice for the background music. May i know the name of the music?

[@AsphaltPlanet1]

The name of the song appears in the end credits. Just scroll forward to the last few frames of the video

[@beautifulfouse]

Traveled this a couple times. Once in 1993 to get married in Las vegas, then in 1997 all the way from Oregon to Mexico, was safe, I mean for being on the RUN.

[@roadsalf5740]

Nice road, nice place and very good music :)

[@AsphaltPlanet1]

Thanks. I really liked the music for this video too.

[@henrygonzalez3842]

Believe it or not the drive gets MORE spectacular if you drive towards Lake Tahoe instead of turning into Mammoth ;)

[@rubyrubia9090]

if u have the time u should really do that! unfortunately we only have 4 nights for the Yosemite/395 area during our next summer trip

[@speedspeed121]

Last Summer I did all of that. This Summer, June 10, I will drive from Sac, to Tahoe. South down to Death Valley then back. I like to take a few days and enjoy

[@FreewayFranks]

Holy shit that was really impressive !!

[@helenjackman8984]

There is Know such thing as HOLY SHIT YOU NASTY ATHIEST.

[@maryholmes9761]

What journey the mountains is so majestic

[@DayTripAdventure]

My favorite Highway! Thanks for sharing! I just made a video of Sherman Pass. It goes from the 395 through the Sierra's over to Bakersfield. Its an amazing drive. If your in the area you should try it Thanks again. Loved it!

[@AsphaltPlanet1]

Thanks for your comment. I’ve driven over Sherman Pass and actually have filmed it as well but I’ll check out your video. Thanks for the comment

[@DayTripAdventure]

@@AsphaltPlanet1 cool! I look for you video on Sherman Pass!

[@mikeovanes]

Love the 20 mile uphill drive from Bishop.... What is the speed limit there 80-90? oka before ticket?

[@AsphaltPlanet1]

The speed limit is 65. I can't remember how fast I was driving, but I'd be careful on the roads of California. The CHP are out there.

[@TheGropplerZorn]

at 6:09 somebody getting a ticket...Chippies kill it on 395...after Lone Pine all the way to Mammoth

[@wannabetowasabe]

That was far less than average snowpack for April 13th than average. 2015-2016 was a drought year. In 2016-2017 the snowpack looked like this in mid or late June, with greater depth in the backcountry. I lived in Bridgeport, north of Mammoth on 395 by about 55 miles and I had 4" of fresh snow on my lawn the morning of July 4th, 1983. Although 2016-2017 actually set a record for snowfall all over the Sierra, it melted slower in the slightly less snowfall year of 1982-1983. I was a about 35 in 1983 and it snows far less in Bridgeport than Mammoth, so the winter of 2017 in Mammoth was harder on my 68 year old body. It got pretty deep that year and my back had not recovered from some back surgery I had in late 2015, so I needed help from my 28 year old neighbor to keep the front porch passable. You were still 10-12 miles from Mammoth when the video ended, so your title is a bit misleading. I wish I could drive that stretch as quickly as the video shows, but still get the same gas mileage, be as safe and not wear the car out as I do at the speed limit. I have to drive to Bishop to get my hair cut and to shop for a few other things. I probably make the trip about 6-8 times per year, but drive it a few additional times when we leave town for longer periods.

[@u4riahsc]

I had to go up to the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Base for a job site visit in July once and there was still snow in crevices and covered areas.

[@wannabetowasabe]

@@u4riahsc Do you remember what year it was? There have been some good winters over the years, but those have been dwindling of late. This 2022-2023 winter is now the record setter and has been hard on my now 72 year old body. Although, today I cleared about 8 feet of 2-3 foot ice on my driveway and next to the porch. It was prime for breaking up with a 35 pound digging bar.

[@u4riahsc]

@@wannabetowasabe It was around probably somewhere between 2016-2018. Hey, we’re not 16 anymore, do as I do, respect the decades we’ve been on the planet and take care of your obviously fit body. Three feet thick ice! Is it starting to warm a little?

[@wannabetowasabe]

@@u4riahsc Probably 2017, the snow stuck around for awhile that year. It was the previous record year. You should have seen 1982-1983 though. Some areas did not melt until late August that year. I respected my body and rested all day today!

[@u4riahsc]

@@wannabetowasabe Actually, the first and only time I tried to ski was during that early 80s snow. We went to Tahoe and my ‘friends’ took me to the top of the downhill run at Squaw Valley. I’ve lived my entire life where there is no snow. Needless to say, at the end of he day, I turned in the rental equipment and spent the rest of the week riding condoles and having hot toddies.

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

The drive to the pass is Sherwin Grade.

[@mikeovanes]

how about same video going back?

[@scottsteeves6505]

I'd love too. But as a Canadian I don't get out there all that often. I did shoot more of US 395 a little further north

[@XBOXNationTVHD]

5/19 and the Sierras just got 2 feet of snow... In May...

[@maryholmes9761]

Good 🌄

[@Xxchico213]

Great video ! You should check out the video I made about my same trip (:

[@inzane2427]

You needed to slow down! No need to do 120 mph the whole way

[@AsphaltPlanet1]

you know the footage has been sped up right?