Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway
Highway 395 runs north and south along the eastern foot of the Sierra Nevada, from the town of Lone Pine below Mount Whitney to Mono Lake and Bodie Ghost Town, with snowy peaks, alpine lakes and autumn color throughout.
The Eastern Sierra section of US Route 395 runs north along the Owens Valley on the east side of the Sierra Nevada. On one side, steep snow-covered peaks rise abruptly. On the other side are the White Mountains and the desert. It is considered one of California's most beautiful long-distance drives. The typical route begins at Lone Pine: the Alabama Hills (with the Mobius Arch and film locations), the gateway to Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States, and Manzanar, a World War II camp that incarcerated Japanese Americans. Next are Big Pine (the Palisade Glacier trail and a spur road to the ancient bristlecone pine forest); Bishop (Schat's Bakery and bouldering areas); the Mammoth Lakes area, with Convict Lake, Hot Creek, Devils Postpile and Mammoth Mountain; the June Lake Loop; then Conway Summit (about 2,481 m), from which you can overlook the tufa towers of Mono Lake; and finally Bridgeport and Bodie Ghost Town. The distance from Lone Pine to Bridgeport is about 380 km. Plan 2 to 5 days, and combine it with Tioga Road (in summer) or Death Valley. Towns along the way are 60 to 100 km apart, so gas is easy to find. In winter, Mammoth Lakes is a ski resort, and snow chains are needed. Bodie Ghost Town is hard to reach in winter because of snow on the roads.