EPIC HIGHWAY 395 | An Overlanding Journey from Leavit Lake to Kavanaugh Ridge | Full Length

This is the long-version of episodes 21, 22 & 23. I took this trip with ‪@flyfisher530‬ and ‪@RhinoOffroad‬ in the late summer of 2022. We hit what we think are some of the best spots off-road on Highway 395. If you've watched these video's previously as episodes, this will be a repeat for you. This trip was incredible, and one we'll always remember! If you haven't overlanded or camped at Leavitt Lake, Masonic Mining District or Kavanaugh Ridge... you've got to check it out!
(Episode 28 - 3/5/23)
Music used by permission.
Song: Signs of Life | Album: Vessel of Light BLE Records ℗ 2020 Helen Jane Long
Song: Eclipse | Album: Porcelain BLE Records ℗ 2013 Helen Jane Long
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[@BigFishOverlanding]

Beautiful cinematography!

[@TrailNewbie]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it! 🙌🏻👏🏻👊🏼😃

[@neillbairstow4763]

Thanks for your inspiration - I'm months away from changing my perspective. Thanks

[@TrailNewbie]

You can do it! Thanks for the comment and so glad you liked the video! 😁😁

[@johnhubbard6262]

When ever I see a high mountain lake I I start listening for a fish report.

[@TrailNewbie]

Ahhh ya! Love it! 🙌🏼👏🏼👊🏼😃

[@joaocarlos9806]

Have a old friend coming to visit me . We are going to do this same route . Thanks Kevin ! Your videos has been an inspiration.

[@TrailNewbie]

Awesome!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👊🏼 So glad I could help with a little inspiration! That route should be amazing for you this time of year!! Only note: Kevin is my buddy, I’m Greg! 😃😃

[@hoss6048]

No telling when there will be access this coming summer…brought my dad up there couple years ago in his new to him FJ Cruiser. He passed last year and now that FJ is in my driveway. I’m glad I got to do that with him.

[@TrailNewbie]

Oh man. Thanks for reaching out and for sharing that story. Ya, the snow up there this year will be absolutely insane - will be well into the summer. That story about your dad’s FJ ❤️ I’m sorry for your loss 💔 but the memories live on! Do you have plans for the FJ? To get it out on the trail in his memory?

[@hoss6048]

@@TrailNewbie I’m pondering what to do with it. It’s stock right now with 200,000 miles on it. Runs flawless. I think a decent suspension, bit of lift, TLC where it needs it and I’ll be ready. Bring what ya got right?

[@TrailNewbie]

💯 percent! Bring what you got!! And, that FJ will have some sentimental value and some heart! It’s a great platform - what you do with it is now up to you! 👊🏼

[@alanobrien3138]

I am a retired firefighter. I spent 15 years on hot shot crews. In 1996 we finished a 21 day assignment and had 2 days of paid rest and relaxation days before going back to a fire. 7 of us drove and camped at PCT parking lot. In the morning we dropped LSD and backpacked to Leavit lake to set up camp and then we hiked to top of Leavit peak. It was one of the best fun days I ever had in my life. I had no clue you could drive to the lake. I will be doing next summer for sure. Thanks for the video.

[@TrailNewbie]

Ya, Leavitt is amazing for sure!! 🙌🏼👊🏼👏🏼 the trail is typically open by about late July or early August. Enjoy!!

[@DefiantOffroad]

That place looks infreakingsane! Wow!

[@TrailNewbie]

Ya, it’s amazing on the eastern side of the Sierra. So beautiful - high elevations, just off the charts!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 Thanks for watching! Digging your channel! 💯

[@kimprocarione5473]

395 is a beautiful drive! I'm looking forward to taking it again and taking my time, this time! It was November and I was in my soccer mom van at the time 😂. I was living to chase the °70. I was tired of heat and not set up for snow. I want those burners! I saw them on another channel! I love that they disconnect and you can just use the 2nd when needed. Especially group cooking. Beautiful! Even in the rain! Especially that sunset! Those craggy mountains! Wow!

[@TrailNewbie]

Yes, the 395 is one of the most amazing drives/areas in the world. So diverse and so much to see. My favorite place in all of California in terms of a camp site is Kavanaugh Ridge. Just incredible! 😊

[@FBCTrona]

Great video and great perspectives

[@TrailNewbie]

Much appreciated! Thanks for the comment and the encouragement! 😁😁😀👊🏼👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@martinrodriguez7615]

Cool dudes

[@TrailNewbie]

Thanks for watching and for the comment! I really appreciate it!🙌🏼🙏🏼👊🏼😃

[@rujeepn]

I just came across your channel yesterday. I like your style! A few years back we camped in Bridgeport with the Jeep Club to run the Chemung Mine/Masonic trails. Had a day to kill & found the Dunderberg Meadow Road (Kavanaugh Ridge) in a really old Sierra Nevada Byways trail book (1994). I was excited as my maiden name is Kavanagh (no u) so thought it would be fun to lead a few of our Jeeps up there. It was an awesome trail run. We stopped at the little no name lake before reaching the plateau you camped at. Thanks for bringing back all the fond memories!

[@TrailNewbie]

Oh awesome!! That sounds like a great trip!! 👏🏻👏🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 So glad you enjoyed the video!! I love putting these together - I do it purely for fun, so it’s comments like this that really make it all worth it for me!! 😃😃

[@DocWrangler]

Nice! I love the long format, great to sit back, relax, and watch the adventure!

[@TrailNewbie]

Thanks Doc! Ya, it was a fun trip, I had to put it all together! 😁😁 But once again a reminder…. Of what you missed!! 🤣🤣

[@flyfisher530]

So fun watching these trips all over again!!! Awesome video Greg, soon we begin another adventure!!! 👍

[@TrailNewbie]

Ya buddy! Going to be an awesome trip coming at the end of March!! 👏🏼👏🏼👊🏼👊🏼

[@lindanellis7326]

Love your photography and great messages that keep the public going. As a photographer I'm always inspired by the things that I am led to by my inner spirit.

[@TrailNewbie]

Thank you so much for your comment and encouragement!! I really appreciate it! 😀 All of this I do for fun, and to bring (hopefully) a positive message anyone watching!! 😁😁

[@timbaker4423]

Another great adventure! Thanks again for sharing your stories.

[@TrailNewbie]

Thanks so much! Appreciate the comment and the kind words! 😀😀😀

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

That’s an epic camp spot! 🔥

[@TrailNewbie]

Ya buddy! Next level! You’ve got to get up there sometime! 👏🏼👊🏼

[@jonnytacooutdoors]

@@TrailNewbie yes we got get a trip in this summer. #SOON 🙏🏼

[@JCreole]

You guys are living the dream 👍

[@TrailNewbie]

Thanks @jerryclay10..! Ya, that was a really fun trip. Really enjoy hanging out with Mike and Kevin. To really great dudes! Thanks for reaching out!! 😁

[@danielshires3580]

Just started watching your channel. Absolutely stunning. This video was incredible. As far as perspective you’re absolutely correct you have to change it and experience things in life. Thank you.

[@TrailNewbie]

Ahh! Thank you so much! Really appreciate the comment and the encouragement! 😁😁 Indeed! We’ve all got to take time to recognize what’s important to us - and not get lost trading all our time for $. It’s experiences like this that are worth more than the 💵. 👊🏼👏🏻🙌🏻

[@tommysimmons5266]

Like a 1500 mile bicycle tour ride with a trailer from Detroit area to North central Nebraska and then back to Norfolk Nebraska south to south central Kansas before hitting early snow. Farm dirt roads, back country roads, Nebraska cowboy trail along the Elkhorn River.

[@TrailNewbie]

Sounds like quite a trip! 🚲

[@silk.1467]

The Shell station in Bridgeport is always thru the roof pricing even when gas prices are reasonable.

[@TrailNewbie]

Hahahha, ya, no joke! It was off the charts that day!! But, a small price to pay to get to the spots we love! 😁😁👊🏼

[@karstic]

It's "395" not "the 395" Great video. Makes me homesick.

[@TrailNewbie]

😊 it’s such an amazing area. Thanks for the comment, hope the video gave you a little glimpse of being back home! 👊🏼👏🏻

[@alfa8822]

Me and my son both bought a deep sleep. They literally literally only lasted three trips, and then both of them started leaking. One leak we couldn’t find but the other one the inlet was leaking. I really liked it but they didn’t last.

[@TrailNewbie]

Ya, so I actually had a small leak at one point. I did patch myself and I was good. But, I think you are right, they might have had a bad batch, or something that caused some failures in these. I still have my full DeepSleep, but now I use the DeepSleep solo mat. It’s just for one side. It’s very comfortable, and has foam in it as well so it self inflates. Highly recommend. I’m not sponsored by them (or anyone 🤣😭) so just my opinion here. 😁 Thanks for the comment and for watching! 👏🏻👊🏼👍🏼

[@alfa8822]

@@TrailNewbie Thanks for the recommendation! I eventually will get a rooftop tent but not for a while. We both bought memory foam and cut it to the shape of the back. Not as comfortable as the DeepSleep but it will never deflate. I prefer sleeping in the back of the Jeep rather than a ground tent. But it is a pain unloading the back every night in order to sleep in it.

[@TrailNewbie]

@@alfa8822 would definitely recommend the solo mat. It’s very comfortable. 👏🏻👏🏻

[@onememories8523]

Great video ! Thank you for sharing! How long would it take to do the trail to start to finish ? And how would rate this trail ?

[@TrailNewbie]

Quick question: are you asking about the trail up to Kavanaugh, Leavitt or Masonic? 😊

[@onememories8523]

@@TrailNewbie the whole overland trail if I were to do the entire trail?

[@TrailNewbie]

@@onememories8523 Ahhh, gotcha. Starting from the trailhead into Leavitt, that drive is only 1 hour off of highway 108. Then, you need to backtrack out of there and drive perhaps round 4 hours to Masonic. From Masonic to Kavanaugh is maybe 3 hours? We did it in three nights. But those locations are all within a reasonable distance from each other.

[@onememories8523]

@@TrailNewbie perfect! So basically an entire weekend would be doable. How would you rate this trail ? I have a 2016 JK Rubicon with 3" lift on 35" and Fox suspension.

[@TrailNewbie]

@@onememories8523 Yes indeed! And your rig will handle everything - no problem. Right now, there will be way too much snow up there but if you wait until the end of July you should be good! 😊

[@BookOfMikeG]

Awesome content and message! I'm on a somewhat similar mission. Would love to someday cross paths and collaborate! Keep it up!

[@TrailNewbie]

Most definitely! Just listened to a couple of your podcast-style videos this AM. Reach out anytime! 👊🏼

[@BookOfMikeG]

@@TrailNewbie Awesome! I'm just learning how to be in front of the camera. Definitely feel better behind the viewfinder right now. I'm glad the podcasts came across alright... I'm tentatively heading back West in the Fall, but may try to plan something elsewhere this Summer with the right catalyst/colab. I'll definitely keep in touch and watch more of your vids in the meantime! Hit me up if you have any destinations that you may want to colab at!

[@TrailNewbie]

@@BookOfMikeG a really good channel to watch for great ‘in front of camera’ talking is Venture2Roam - the way Will uses his voice is something amazing (might further you’re journey on the podcast style).

[@BookOfMikeG]

@@TrailNewbie Thanks! I’ll check out the channel this afternoon!

[@andrewlarson2753]

Epic scenery! Love the interesting places to add to my trips, but have to admit I mute the cheesy philosophizing.