Yosemite / Sierra Camping

[Joel Bubeck]

Hi y'all!  The folks I bought my van from swear by a place called Saddlebag Lake near Lee Vining, CA.  It's in the Inyo National Forest on the far side of Yosemite.  Has anyone camped there?  It's at 10,000 feet elevation and is open June - mid October.  Oh, and yup, there's bears!  I'm wondering if it's an appropriate place for us to go for a summer campout.

 

Joel

[Romy]

Joel,

 

Jenn and I have been past that area a bunch of times, but have never camped there.  The road to it branches off of 120 by a place called the Tioga Pass resort (I think).  There are several campgrounds in the area off of 120, and in the summer months they have always seemed to be full when we go through due to the proximity to Yosemite and the cheaper prices of NF campgrounds vs NP campgrounds.  That is not to say that it wouldn't be an awesome spot to camp!  I'd hazard a guess that it is a reserve early sort of place though.

 

-Romy

[Swiftriver]

   Joel...

              I've been there... There is a little store there and stuff.  Too many tourists for this mountain boy, so I didn't stick around long.  There is a ton of free camping in that area...   Just West of the 395/120 junction up the hill behind the gas station, are several utility roads on both sides of 120.   I often camp in the unofficial camp spots under the juniper trees.  The views of Mono Lake are sweet, and I have never had any problems there.   Also, they allow a one nighter at the top of Tioga pass in the little parking lot before you get to the park.  Killer views, and usually cool people to chat with.   Last time I was there, there were folks busting out guitars and bongo's and having a good time. I had a good time too...  All for free :)

[Joel Bubeck]

Wow folks, this sounds like the kind of thing we should plan for the summer months!  If we're going "off grid" though, I can't think of a way to all find each other unless we rendezvous and caravan or get the GPS coordinates in advance.

 

[westywoman (Melissa)]

More good stuff to post over in the California Campsites group! :-)

[Bus Boy Bob]

Yes, camped there and loved it! there are mosquitos in some months. Quiet, cool at night. Take a boat across the river and then a great hike around 20 lakes basin. There is a store/restaurant open most months.

Have fun

Bus Boy Bob

[Michael J.]

Motorcycle camped at the Whitney Portals way back in July 1984.  Our only heat was the campfire which my buddy failed to keep stoked all night.  Woke up freezing and listening to his lame excuses for not keeping the fire going all night.  Back then, it was not that crowded, but then again that was before we even heard of Mary Lou Retton. Has it been almost 29 years?  Wow...

[William D. Pool]

Indeed! Get a GPS dot and everyone meet up! Then head out :D

Joel Bubeck said:

Wow folks, this sounds like the kind of thing we should plan for the summer months!  If we're going "off grid" though, I can't think of a way to all find each other unless we rendezvous and caravan or get the GPS coordinates in advance.