UKC

I am currently in Las Vegas and due in Yosemite in 3 days time. I have a couple of days to kill in the mean time and would like to break up the 7hour+ drive.
Any suggestions for a suitable stop off or two (so I can go guidebook shopping in the morning)?
I've got a fairly comprehensive rack with me and a 70m rope but no bouldering mat.
I had thought of going via death Valley and up to Bishop although my wife seems to be getting a bit sick of deserts

Many thanks!

In reply to Reach>Talent:
I'm in Vegas at the moment and would recommend red rocks. From my very short visit there I thought it was amazing!

We drove from Yosemite to Vegas and only stopped at the little al'e inn for food and it was brill. Would recommend.

In reply to Reach>Talent:

Take 95 out of LV and branch off on 395. Visit Death Valley. Continue on to Lone Pine, about 4 hrs from Las Vegas. You’re in a region called the Sierra Eastside https://www.mountainproject.com/v/sierra-eastside/105798288 with thousands of routes, including Mt. Whitney and tons of alpine rock. But if you want a bit of cragging, try the Alabama Hills https://www.mountainproject.com/v/alabama-hills/105876822 or the Whitney Portal https://www.mountainproject.com/v/whitney-portal/105877168 .

Continue up 395 to Bishop, which has sport climbing at Owens River Gorge https://www.mountainproject.com/v/owens-river-gorge/105843226 and the Happy https://www.mountainproject.com/v/happy-boulders/105799640 and Buttermilk https://www.mountainproject.com/v/buttermilk-country/105876411 boulders. Eventually you through Lee Vining (visit Mono Lake!) and Tuolumne Meadows. I don’t have to mention there’s a bit of climbing there, right? Then down to the Valley itself.

There's vastly more than I mentioned here; the Sierra Eastside link above will get you started.

In reply to rgold:

Many thanks, that is great. Off to see what we can find!

In reply to Reach>Talent:
Eastside Sierra has so much great climbing at this time of year (and so much closer to Las Vegas), it's hard to understand why you're bothering to drive to Yosemite.
Fortunately rgold did not mention some of my favorite areas there.

Ken

In reply to Reach>Talent:

Two highly-non-desert places to try would be:

* Little Lakes Valley at the head of Rock Creek. Wonderful easy/moderate short/long hiking / trail-running as well as a wide variety of good rather climbing including single-pitch sport at a variety of difficulties, multi-pitch Trad at a variety of grades, and long easy scrambles/solos.

* Mammoth Lakes. The town is the main urban center (expensive?) of the Eastside, and a popular destination with European visitors in August. But I'm rather thinking of the _lakes_ above west from the town: wonderful forested terrain for hiking / trail-running and fishing and mountain-biking -- and sport climbing on fun featured granite, and some rather good long easy scrambles/solos on the Crystal Crag.

Ken

P.S. Bouldering crash pads can be hired in the towns of Bishop or Mammoth Lakes.

I suggest that the best way to experience what's really special about Sierra climbing (versus Europe), would be to hire (or bring?) basic equipment for camping, and hike up into and sleep out at least one night in the Little Lakes Valley (or North Fork Lone Pine Creek), and do a multi-pitch rock climb the next day (or two).

Not sure if what _permits_ you need at this time of year -- likely Yes -- but should be easy to reserve thru USFS website at this time of year, then pick up actual permit at one of the valley USFS stations.

Ken

In reply to Reach>Talent:

Hope you guys are having a fantastic time mate

In reply to rgold:
2nd that on Alabama Hills, loads of granite sport and trad lines, bouldering and wild camping. I was there in 2007 and a local offered us his house to shower and have a BBQ. Even told us to pick up his house keys from his work and make ourselves at home !!!!