Every time I leave the Alabama Hills I have a comfortable feeling that I will be back and this time is no different. Packing up this morning the coffee tasted especially good, maybe it was because I was planning on heading north through the Owens Valley past Bishop on US395. Driving up the iconic Owens Valley is idyllic, you have the Inyo Mountains and Death Valley National Park on one side then the John Muir Wilderness and Kings Canyon National Park on the other. You just know your going to have a fantastic day on the trails.
This is the 3rd part of our series of stops on my overlanding trip with my good friend (see post 8/24/21 Sequoia National Forest to Alabama Hills) driving his stock Toyota Tacoma dual-cab. Cruising through the small western town of Bishop you can sense its colorful olden day history. Heading down Main St its not long before we connect with Fish Slough Rd as we enter the Volcanic Tableland home to the Chalfant Valley. The Chalfant Valley cradles the Fish Slough Area of Critical Concern within that area are many petroglyphs sites along this incredible critical scenic roughed dirt track.
Creeping down the tracks obstacles, uneven rock steps and rutted bog holes, wheel placement becomes even more critical as we explore the ancient art left behind. With every foot step not only the art, but remnants of single dwellings made from prehistoric cooled lava bubbles that the indigenous
Chidago inhabited.
The tour was epic, each canyon we visited was different from the next. We drove through the
Chidago Canyon, Red Canyon, Watterson Canyon then on to
Benton Crossing. Taking our time as we navigate the rocky base of
Casa Diablo Mountain elev.7912ft, each off cambered turn reveals yet another fascinating ancient volcanic landscape formation in the
Volcanic Tableland.
On top of the
Owens River Gorge we entered
Long Valley Caldera on
Benton Crossing Rd aiming for
Whitmore Hot Springs on the western side of
Lake Crowley. Owens River Rd takes you to the hot springs turn off in full scenic style. We camped at the smaller lower campsite with the grass for my buddies ground tent.
Taking it all in, the late afternoon heat was trying to cool off while we waited for some (
cork) soakers taking their time, No worries! I was kickin back sippin on a cold frothy waiting for them to leave. Later, I was enjoying the steamy goodness for a good spell before I gave up my spot. Yes indeed that was refreshing to say the least. Night stars were out that evening and a spectacular display it was. Great day on the trail and even a better way to end.
Tomorrow after a quick soak and morning coffee we tackle
Death Valley..
Hope to see you on the Trail!!..
🚙.....
Every time I leave the Alabama Hills I have a comfortable feeling that I will be back and this time is no different. Packing up this morning the coffee tasted especially good, maybe it was because I was planning on heading north through the Owens Valley past Bishop on US395. 
Driving up the iconic Owens Valley is idyllic, you have the Inyo Mountains and Death Valley National Park on one side then the John Muir Wilderness and Kings Canyon National Park on the other. You just know your going to have a fantastic day on the trails. 
