High Sierra Topix

Anyone know of any free/dispersed camping in this area? I have a 4wheel drive and we do not want to camp too far from the truck on this trek.

Check this TR with info to that area it may help: http://www.greeneadventures.com/2012/06 ... ll-anyone/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It is legal to disperse camp anywhere along roads east of Kaiser Pass. Lots of short spur roads leaving the main road if one keeps an eye out roadside.

I stayed at a really nice spot just below the dam last year - a pull-out with a big fire ring.

You'll see the pullouts used for camping. They are the ones with the fire rings.

There's also the developed sites at Ward Lake and the campground near the meadow just down the hill from Florence. We stayed in the developed sites before starting out on the first ferry run in the morning....

Will mention one of the more unique dispersed camping options anywhere in the Sierra Nevada that is along the road. At Kaiser Pass BM9184 is the dirt road to White Bark Point. Though rather uneven it has always been accessible by 2WD with average clearance. The mile and one half long dirt road gets occasional grading because there is a radio facility out at the end:

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=37.29096,-119.09120&z=15&t=T" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=37.29175,-119.08810&z=18&t=S" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In the past when we've had to pick up walk up wilderness permits at the High Sierra Ranger Station further east on the road, we've sometimes overnighted there because it is the best place in the region to acclimate to high elevation road side and has an exceptional ridge top view late afternoons towards the east, northeast, and north to dozens of miles of the Sierra Crest from Yosemite down to the Mono Recesses including distant icons like Ritter.

And because of that if the sky happens to have cirrus, it is a great spot to set up a telephoto lens on a tripod using the crest peaks like Abbot, Gabb, Red Slate, Red & White Mtn etc as silhouettes against dawn skies.

Good to know that road is doable in a 2wd truck. Last time driving home from edison I wanted to check out the view up there. Looked pretty rough so I skipped it. Next time I'll go for it.

Looks like I lost access to the 4wheel drive truck I was gonna use. Wanted to cross the river into Hooper Division, anyone know the conditions here? I also hear it might rain now?