R03/R04 TR: North Lake to Mammoth, 7/9/24 - 7/15/24

[Bishop_Bob]

Are you thinking of doing the entire route in one trip, in the future?

Some day, some day. Hoping my body holds up. I know every season that goes by is one less for me to have these experiences.

[Wandering Daisy]

Could the corkscrew thing be an old fashioned /homemade version of an ice screw? Perhaps used to climb the chute.

[snowblind]

Nice trip report!

I did a similar route early August although I started from Little Lakes via North Col and went over Big Horn. I also found the section after Lower Mills a bit frustrating - lol.

I found this one of the easier SHR sections.

[Bishop_Bob]

If you don't mind me asking, how much did the rentals cost? I've always flown into Vegas, got the cheapest rental possible and then left the rental at the trailhead.

We rented from Enterprise because they were the only rental car company in Bishop. The cost of the 1-way rental from Las Vegas to Bishop was $160. The cost from Bishop to Las Vegas was $200. Each rental period was for 1 day. Since we could split the total cost, it wasn't too bad. Plus, we didn't have to fret over the possibility of coming back to a rental car with a stolen catalytic converter.

We flew to LAS because the flights on Southwest were generally less expensive, especially for my friend coming from Indiana. Last year, I was alone and flew to Bishop on United. The cost of that flight was more, but then again, going straight to Bishop meant I didn't need to pay for a rental car. We didn't do that this year because the cost of flying from Indiana to Bishop was disproportionately more expensive.

Another alternative was to fly to Reno then take the ESTA bus down to Bishop. This, in fact, was our original plan, but about 2 months before the trip, Southwest changed both of our arrivals to a later time such that we wouldn't be able to catch the bus on the same day of arrival. So we switched to the Las Vegas plan. Oddly, after we switched flights, Southwest changed both Reno flights back to their earlier arrival times.

The cost of the shuttle was $100 for the 2 of us, and we needed this shuttle ride regardless of how we reached Bishop. Last year, the same guy gave me the same ride for $50. I don't know if it was twice the cost because there were now 2 of us or because he increased his price. Of course, the route he drove us used to be serviced by ESTA (the Bishop Creek Shuttle) for only $7 per rider (later changed to $20 per non-resident rider). The locals sure have an opportunity to make money now.

[wsp_scott]

If you don't mind me asking, how much did the rentals cost? I've always flown into Vegas, got the cheapest rental possible and then left the rental at the trailhead.

We rented from Enterprise because they were the only rental car company in Bishop. The cost of the 1-way rental from Las Vegas to Bishop was $160. The cost from Bishop to Las Vegas was $200. Each rental period was for 1 day. Since we could split the total cost, it wasn't too bad. Plus, we didn't have to fret over the possibility of coming back to a rental car with a stolen catalytic converter.

We flew to LAS because the flights on Southwest were generally less expensive, especially for my friend coming from Indiana. Last year, I was alone and flew to Bishop on United. The cost of that flight was more, but then again, going straight to Bishop meant I didn't need to pay for a rental car. We didn't do that this year because the cost of flying from Indiana to Bishop was disproportionately more expensive.

Another alternative was to fly to Reno then take the ESTA bus down to Bishop. This, in fact, was our original plan, but about 2 months before the trip, Southwest changed both of our arrivals to a later time such that we wouldn't be able to catch the bus on the same day of arrival. So we switched to the Las Vegas plan. Oddly, after we switched flights, Southwest changed both Reno flights back to their earlier arrival times.

The cost of the shuttle was $100 for the 2 of us, and we needed this shuttle ride regardless of how we reached Bishop. Last year, the same guy gave me the same ride for $50. I don't know if it was twice the cost because there were now 2 of us or because he increased his price. Of course, the route he drove us used to be serviced by ESTA (the Bishop Creek Shuttle) for only $7 per rider (later changed to $20 per non-resident rider). The locals sure have an opportunity to make money now.

Thanks for all that info, gives me something to think about in the future.

I wish there were cheap flights into Bishop and then an easy ride to and from the trailhead, but then permits would probably be even harder to get

[stevet]

One way rentals vs just leaving a car at the trailhead…in my experience it can vary, but generally the break even point is about 10 days, depending on what you need to spend getting to/from trailheads.

Fortunately now, I am no longer on the east coast trying to coordinate travel and logistics, and can just drive from my home near Phoenix.

My stuff aside, thanks for a great report. I traveled this section, with a friend, in the opposite direction. Your route descriptions bring so many memories, all good.

[tomba]

Above our camp at Piute Lake is this little hut (centered in the photo) - what's it for?

Maybe a show survey hut?

we also saw a three-legged coyote trot-hopping along

I am surprised that a coyote with a missing leg can survive.

[swimjam]

Very cool trip. Thanks for sharing.

[tomba]

Maybe a show survey hut?

I meant a snow survey hut. I can't find a way to edit my post to fix that typo.

[Bishop_Bob]

Maybe a show survey hut?

I meant a snow survey hut. I can't find a way to edit my post to fix that typo.

yeah, @paul conjectured the same