Route 395

Kid1 is doing a summer course and kid2 is in Oahu for a week long scout camp. We didn't realize this when arranging for both the kids' activities, but they couldn't be home for Father's day. Hubby figured it out a few days ago and decided that he & I were going on a road trip. So, this trip to the Eastern Sierra was born. 

The original plan was to drive through Yosemite National Park, hike Mt. Dana and continue on to Mono lake. But the road leading from Yosemite Valley to Mt Dana, through Tioga Pass, was closed due to huge snow deposits and landslides. So we went around the park to cross the Sierra Nevada range at a mountain pass that was at a lower altitude. We had to skip hiking Dana, but what we discovered instead was the scenic beauty of highway 395. 

Running parallel to the Sierra Nevada mountain range on the East, this road is filled with lakes and beautiful views of mountain peaks and ranges. Starting with Topaz lake and Walker river, we made stops at many places on our way to Mono lake. We actually stayed near June Lake which is on a scenic route off 395. Sunrise views, views at dusk, water falls, gushing creeks, limestone formation at south Tufa, night sky gazing with Milky Way views, and hikes (though shorter than mt Dana) we did it all.

On our way back, Sonora Pass, the second highest pass through the Sierra was open.  We took this high road! 

Hopefully you will get a glimpse of it from the photos below. If you are looking for road trip ideas, I highly recommend route 395 (Mono Lake and June lake). I hear it is even more beautiful in the fall, so we will be back for fall colors. With the kids, hopefully.

Topaz lake on highway 365. Accidental find due to our route change!

Sunrise at Mono Lake. This is at 4.30am. After seeing this, even the 7.00am light felt harsh.

Tufa, a porous rock composed of calcium carbonate

Sunset at June Lake.  We were driving, when the sky turned a pretty crimson.Had to wait to park, missed the  brightest hues by few minutes.

The next morning at Gull Lake.

Milky way. Waited till close to midnight for this shot. Credit goes to my other half for this picture :-)

On our way back, the second highest pass through the Sierra was open.

Imagine having to remove all that snow from the road to make it motor-able! This was on the longest day of the year, June 21st! No plans to visit in the winter.

Map of Mono County from the Internet