Buttermilk Road, Bishop, CA

[BadBrnco]

This past weekend I drove up to Bishop, CA and did a little camping and off-roading on Buttermilk Road. It’s a relatively easy to moderate trail with a couple shallow water crossings and lots of spectacular views. The trail offers desert and mountain trails, and takes a couple hours to complete the entire trail. If you’re in the Southern California region this is definitely worth checking out.

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[rblock50]

I love that part of So Cal, I've been going to different parts of that area since I was around 6. I can't wait to bring my Bronco there, thanks for the tip!! I am planning on going to Big Bear this weekend and am going to Whitney in August.

 

[MyDogGoldie]

See any cool waterfalls?

 

[BadBrnco]

See any cool waterfalls?

There were waterfalls up the trail in the mountains. Flowing creeks as well. It’s a really cool trail.

 

[GroovyGeek]

I was there for Memorial Day. Lakes above 6000 ft were just melting. Roads at that elevation were scheduled to open June 1st. Took this image from a location similar as the OP, which made me wonder if the road is built intentionally like US163 at Monument Valley to point to the mountains

 

[Ford Motor Company]

This past weekend I drove up to Bishop, CA and did a little camping and off-roading on Buttermilk Road. It’s a relatively easy to moderate trail with a couple shallow water crossings and lots of spectacular views. The trail offers desert and mountain trails, and takes a couple hours to complete the entire trail. If you’re in the Southern California region this is definitely worth checking out.

Wow! Thanks for sharing these awesome photos with your Bronco!

 

[eqlol]

Awesome. How close is that to Coyote flats? That has been my only off-roading/camping trail in the Bishop area. I did it when I had a JK Rubicon, definitely want to do it again with the Bronco.

 

[BadBrnco]

Awesome. How close is that to Coyote flats? That has been my only off-roading/camping trail in the Bishop area. I did it when I had a JK Rubicon, definitely want to do it again with the Bronco.

Based on Google Maps, it looks like it’s in the same general area. Coyote Flats appears to be a little to the Southeast of Buttermilk Road. I’ll put Coyote Flats down as a future destination. Thanks!

 

[GroovyGeek]

Based on Google Maps, it looks like it’s in the same general area. Coyote Flats appears to be a little to the Southeast of Buttermilk Road. I’ll put Coyote Flats down as a future destination. Thanks!

Coyote Flats is quite a bit north, past Mamoth, about an hour drive

 

[Cardboardbronco]

Is the camping just backcountry, pick a spot or actual designated spots along the road? Did you see a lot of other off roaders on the trail?

 

[BadBrnco]

Is the camping just backcountry, pick a spot or actual designated spots along the road? Did you see a lot of other off roaders on the trail?

It’s pick a spot and camp, but there are some spots that are cleared that have been used before and folks have already put together a fire pit.

 

[GroovyGeek]

I

It’s pick a spot and camp, but there are some spots that are cleared that have been used before and folks have already put together a fire pit.

I wouldn't even describe it as back country. It is a popular climbing location and there is decent traffic all the time. People do the road the main climbing spot in Priuses. After that it gets a bit more demanding but not dramatically so.

 

[Shrek27]

Coyote Flats is quite a bit north, past Mamoth, about an hour drive

The area to SW of Bishop off Coyote Valley Rd has also been referred to as Coyote Flats…unless thats what you meant.

 

[ironmike]

Coyote Flats is quite a bit north, past Mamoth, about an hour drive

Not the one that wheelers refer to. That Coyote Flats is SW of Bishop just above the North Pal marker on your map.

 

[ironmike]

BTW, anyone planning off-road trips to places like Buttermilk Rd, Coyote Flats, or even the White Mtns, should check with the National Forest folks in those areas (in this case, Inyo NF). There are a ton of road closures going into effect for the summer due to damages done by winter storms and spring runoff.

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