California Highway 395

[justcuz]

No matter how much you post up people are not going to overpopulate that area. I've been going up since I had a drivers license, I'm 63 now. Most folks are in a hurry and can't stand 395, I love it.
Flopping over to Death Valley or Yosemite, Bristlecone Pine Forest, tubing down the Owens River, partying with the girls at Upper Twin in the hot springs (some of which are now fenced in), Bodie when the road in was all dirt and you could drive down Main St. before that old Dodge flatbed was restored. I have had so many other adventures that are too numerous to mention. Compared to the population increase, the use of 395 and its surrounding treasures has not kept up thankfully. I've probably been down a good percentage of the side roads between Pearsonville and Bridgeport. Lots to see! Last year we were too early for the opening of the visitors center in the Bristlecone Pine Forest, so we headed north and dropped back down to 395. The vistas of the Owens Valley from that altitude were breathtaking, especially for my cousin and her husband who were visiting from Ohio.

 

[pmatusov]

US 395 is plain awesome. My favorite road - although I've only been as far on it as Lakeview, OR.
http://3rj.org/TheSpineOfIdaho/us395.htm

 

[seeNik48]

It stretches from I-90 near Ritzville, WA to I-15 near Victorville, CA. We usually travel it in Oregon as there is little traffic except for ranchers, hunters and a few log trucks. One of our favorite national highways. We avoid interstates when we can in favor of slow travel. Many places to boondock along the way. Someone should write a book.

 

[pmatusov]

The original U.S. 395 goes all the way to Mexican border. Parts of the 395 are still labelled as such in San Diego County.

 

[SIZZLE]

Agreed, it's a great road. In CA the eastern Sierras are so dramatic. It looks like they were thrust out of the ground yesterday.

I've driven from CA to WA on the 101, 5, and 395. 395 is the best if you have the time.

I've always wanted to do a photo essay of all the abandoned gas stations on the 395. There's some great Americana out there.

Great post, thanks for the pics!

 

[stevec]

...Bodie when the road in was all dirt and you could drive down Main St. before that old Dodge flatbed was restored.

I have pictures of that old Dodge before it was restored! That was back when you could still camp there...

 

[justcuz]

Me too! I am actually standing on the back of the flatbed. Last time I was up there the Dodge was hiding in the barn.

 

[teotwaki]

I view 395 as the most amazing highway lined with numerous gateways to adventures

The Sierras

Bodie

Eureka Sand Dunes

Alabama Hills

Bristlecone Pines

Death Valley

Panamint Valley

Papoose Flats

Inyo Mountains

This sums it up. On the door of an Expo member's vehicle nicknamed "Da Snork"

 

[Navman]

The 395 corridor is my favorite place on Earth. Just love it over there.