camping near Bishop

Having problems finding a crag or a route?
bcrock
Posts: 119
Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2004 5:06 pm

camping near Bishop

Post by bcrock »

I will be climbing at Owens, Clark and several of the bouldering areas near Bishop. The guide book for Owens lists a bunch of camping spots, but I didn't get much of a sense of what any of them were like.

Anyone ever get out that way? If so, and have any camping beta to share I would appreciate your input.

I am interested in:
* proximity to Owens
* Is tent/camp relatively safe when climbers are away during the day?
* water
* setting

From what I understand most campsites do not have showers. That is ok, as we will try to hit Little Hot Creek as much as we can.

Also, how safe is your parked car when climbing down in Owens?
merrick
Posts: 1678
Joined: Sun Oct 06, 2002 10:01 pm

Post by merrick »

camp at the pit,

i think it is a buck a night and always full of climbers

they can give you all the beta you need.

I lived in the pit for a few months a year a few years in a row.

Think miguels, but no restaurant.

owens is 15 mintues away by car, the happy and sads about 12, the milks about 20 and the druids about 20 plus the 45 minute uphill hike. killer area though.

there is no water but there is some in town and at the pay campground in the valley below the pit.

camping in the buttermilks is nice if you want setting but it will be cold, empty, and there is no water there either.

never had a problem with theft or vandalism in all my time in bishop and surrounding areas. we left our site full of stuff all the time. still don't leave your ipod out for some one to snag.
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spuzo
Posts: 1163
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2003 11:03 pm

Post by spuzo »

I liked the pit too. Beautiful scenery, cool people, cheap.

I've got a nice picture of the campsite around here somewhere, I'll post it if I find it.
We left our stuff up during the day and all was well. We camped in the area just below the happys...I guess it's state park type land? and that was nice too, just more campers and fishers than climbers. People with RVs and stuff. More expensive too.
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Shamis
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Joined: Tue Jan 02, 2007 12:11 pm

Post by Shamis »

I think I camped somehwere near the buttermilks. This was about 4 yrs ago.
C'est Si Bon
Posts: 93
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:23 pm

Post by C'est Si Bon »

The pit lately has been taken over by loud asses in RVs blasting country music!! Seems like most climbers are in the buttermilks. No water in either!
It might look like I'm doing nothing, but at the cellular level I'm really quite busy
skychick
Posts: 213
Joined: Tue Aug 12, 2003 4:42 pm

Post by skychick »

I second what merrick posted.

Addition: I have been known to render myself unable to drive at a watering hole in Bishop & end up sleeping in a public parking lot, in the back of the pickup. A side bonus is that you wake up and are close to the 'Great Basin Bakery,' with yummy, effective, socially conscious coffee & amazing pizza bagels.
"Missiles are absolutely antisocial" --Dr. Bronner
bcrock
Posts: 119
Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2004 5:06 pm

Post by bcrock »

Thanks for all the input. I am there now. The pit is a bit raw for me. We have been staying at Horton Creek (tables, toilets, simple).
dah-le
Posts: 48
Joined: Wed Jun 01, 2005 7:03 pm

Post by dah-le »

Sorry it's a bit late, but here's the beta we found when we were there this summer. FYI, data in the ORG guidebook is a bit old as to prices.

Pinion - just up the road from ORG. No designated sites, no pit toilets, no charge. It was pretty up there, and quiet when we were there. Stuff was safe in the tent (we didn't leave any valuables though). Definitely the best out-there vibe and scenery but no water.

The rest are my fuzzy recollection (I don't have my notes anymore)
Pleasant Valley (climbers campground I think) - Right near the tableland bouldering areas (sad's, happy's, etc). pit toilet, just a handful of sites. $10-15

Horton Creek - Across 395 from Pleasant Valley and up towards ORG a bit. No longer free (least when we were there) Managed by USFS if I recollect and they had water and pit toilets. Lots of sites. No shade really. $15?

Millpond - closer to Bishop, and on the West side of 395. Plush, RV's mostly, but they have pay showers, running water, etc. Most expensive of the bunch at around $20.

If you need more I can try to find my notes. Have a blast climbing ORG...if only the approach were less painful, scree sucks.
-Dale
buddz98
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:39 pm

Post by buddz98 »

wow that $15 is a very is expensive for me :roll:


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kdelap
Posts: 152
Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2005 4:33 pm

Post by kdelap »

$5 showers at the laundry mat.

Camping in the Buttermilks is where you'll find me!
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