Cruise down U.S. Highway 395 this fall and immerse yourself in eastern Sierra splendor! Aspen leaves shimmer like gold coins against indigo desert skies. The segment between Carson City, Nevada and Lone Pine, California showcases some of the most stunning scenery in the west. Tall peaks stretch upward to 14,000 feet, and plunge straight down into the beautiful Owens Valley, with breathtaking views in every direction.
You could spend a lifetime enjoying the region, but here are a few favorites:
Carson City’s historic district feels like a movie set with stately vintage homes. Many of these houses were featured in Hollywood films, like ‘The Shootist’ with John Wayne, Ron Howard and Lauren Bacall. The Nevada State Railroad Museum at the south end of town offers exhibits, train rides and fun events. Don’t miss the Harvest Train Festival on October 20th.
Nearby Genoa is the longest ongoing settlement in Nevada, with a collection of beautifully preserved late 19th Century buildings. This colorful little village houses a ‘Thirst Parlor’ saloon, a Courthouse Museum, and the Mormon Station State Historic Park. This former trading post is a now heritage museum featuring exhibits about early settlers. Learn about Snowshoe Thompson, the intrepid skier who delivered mail by crossing the Sierras on ten-foot long skis.
As you continue south you’ll come to the little village of Lee Vining, the eastern gateway to Yosemite National Park. You can head straight up the mountain over Tioga Pass, or directly across the highway to Mono Lake. This huge natural lake features giant tufa towers formed out of calcium carbonate when the lake level was much higher than it is now. Today the ghostly-looking towers stand like sentinels along the shore, guarding the salty waters. Tiny little lake inhabitants called brine shrimp attract a wide variety of shorebirds. With water twice as salty as the ocean, all swimmers are buoyant here.
Don’t miss dining at Nicely’s, a family restaurant that hasn’t changed since the 1960s, with delicious home-cooked food at great prices. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you settle into a comfy booth and order roast beef and gravy over mashed potatoes, with pecan pie or homemade bread pudding for dessert.
Bridgeport, California lies a short distance to the south, with nearby Bodie State Historic Park, a gold mining ghost town preserved by California State Parks. This National Historic Site is a former gold mining boom town that once housed over 8,000 residents. Preserved in a state of “arrested decay”, the ruins of the town still feel alive today.
South of Bridgeport are the towns of Mammoth Lakes and Bishop. This recreation paradise abounds with camping and lodging opportunities. You can take in the scenery at June Lakes, Lundy Canyon, Virginia Lakes, Rock Creek, or McGee Creek. Explore high mountain lake basins with bright blue lakes set like gems against the steep rocky landscapes. But pace yourself, because it is easy to get altitude sickness if you drive up too quickly from the lower elevations. Give yourself plenty of time to acclimatize first, or you may see spots before your eyes!
Devil’s Postpile National Monument is an 800-acre national park featuring one of the world’s best examples of columnar basalt. Basaltic lava cooled into giant 60 foot tall pillars here millions of years ago. These are an amazing sight, as is the 100 foot tall Rainbow Falls. A park shuttle brings you down Red’s Meadow Road through the heart of the park.
Nearby Hot Creek Geological Area is also a fascinating site, where you can stroll along pathways above steaming hot pools, and gaze down at a river that alternately runs hot and cold. Here, the water flows over superheated underground fissures. The entire region is a simmering thermal area, with hot bubbling pools and steaming sulfur fumaroles. Once a popular swimming area, signs today are posted warning people to stay on the trail for their safety, due to high thermal activity. Temperatures can exceed 428 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius) here, so please be careful.
Discover the towns of Bishop and Lone Pine further south along Highway 395 with more amazing places to hike, fish, four-wheel, swim, and explore. Don’t miss the ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest near Bishop where you can see some of the oldest trees on the planet, dating back over 4,000 years.
The Alabama hills near Lone Pine feature brightly-colored rock formations and arches where countless movies were made. Set against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Whitney at 14,505 feet, it’s no wonder Hollywood loved filming here. Learn more about these glory days of movie-making at the Museum of Western Film History in town.
Regardless of where you drive on Highway 395, you will be amazed at the beauty of nature and the rich cultural history of the region. Cruising down 395 is a great way to enjoy the eastern Sierra!