Test run down 108

[craig333]

I wanted to see if I was up to camping. The hip and sciatica have been improving but very slowly. For some unknown reason I've never done all of hwy 108. I've been a bit past pinecrest for the niagara rim run but never over the summit. Headed out late Friday. Found a bit of snow around Monitor pass.


Moseyed on over 395 to 108. Makes highway 4 look straight. No problem finding a place to camp. Everything was deserted. Made it to Kennedy Meadows shortly before losing daylight. Other than maybe a caretaker at the resort there was not a soul around. I didn't think anyone would mind if I camped in the Hiker/Horse area.

It was chilly. Heater ran quite a bit. Tested out my new Klymit air mattress. Woke up with it flat. I haven't had a chance to investigate what happened there yet.
Nice thing having very little traffic. Drove slow and enjoyed the scenery. Found the Columns of the Giants Geologic area. Only a half mile hike but a few weeks ago I could barely walk from the bedroom to the kitchen. I did my painkillers at breakfast (this trip I microwaved dinner and breakfast) and gave it a shot.

It was cold still and I just had on my driving gloves. Mistake there, I could barely get the phone out.

I did violate the leash law.

Poor light in the morning and only the cell phone.

The Donnell vista was closed but I don't think I'd have been able to make the hike anyway. Little traffic until I got to the construction area. Passed an FWC going uphill but didn't get a good look (something about not wanting to hit a dozer). Glad I was taking it easy, quite a few spots on the road were frosty.
Glad I got to hit the road before the snows hit and its closed for the winter.

 

[WjColdWater]

Sweet report! I can relate to the heath stuff. Our camper is in the barn for the winter sleeping. The salt and chloride road treatments are brutal in IL.
Wayne

 

[ski3pin]

You are making progress, Craig! That is a nice journey up and over Sonora Pass. The Lady and Trailer Woman hiked south from Carson Pass today. They reported not much wind at all, but cold and a couple inches of snow from that last storm. Thanks for the report!

 

[craig333]

Hard to imagine immigrants taking that route. Brutal. No wind and daytime temps weren't bad but it cooled off quickly when the sun went down. On the way up 50 I saw a pretty good column of smoke, looked like it was east of Pollock Pines. Was there a controlled burn or something?

 

[PaulT]

Craig,

Klymit air mattress did the same to me the first time I used it. There are two valves on different corners. Both must be snapped closed to retain inflation.

Paul

 

[ski3pin]

<snip> On the way up 50 I saw a pretty good column of smoke, looked like it was east of Pollock Pines. Was there a controlled burn or something?

CalFire is burning piles and some broadcast understory burning just south of us along with EID/CalFire burns around the reservoir.

The column is surprising.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Craig, nice TR. Sorry to hear about the hip and sciatica issues, that can take the fun out of things in a hurry. I hope it heals completely!

 

[Smokecreek1]

Good to see you out and about and I bet Riley was glad too! Boy I can understand when the body parts start to show wear and tear (using the heater allot more is also a tell-tail sign)! Have not been up 108 for years, thanks for ride along !

Smoke

 

[Kolockum]

Great write up! I hear you on the health issues, my camper has been my chariot recently. Nature is truly the best medicine for recovery.

 

[firemen7]

Thanks craig333 for your posting! I used to head over the pass several times a year when we lived in Waterford.
This was always one of me favorite drives and camping locations

 

[longhorn1]

Craig, thanks for sharing Nice get back in the saddle trip. Take it easy. jd