Road Classifications

The classifications for road condition are based on Roger Mitchell's Scale (modified). Each class includes all those below it in rank.

Class 0 - Paved road.

Class I - A dirt road, maintained or not, passable by any car.

Class II - May have high center, potholes, requiring greater center clearance. Four-wheel drive may be needed.

Class III - High Clearance and four-wheel drive are necessary. Low range and limited slip or lockers are desirable. Road surface may be rocky or steep or both.

Class IV - Experience in 4WD is necessary. Outside spotter on rough spots to guide driver may be needed. Steeper, rougher, rockier, or soft due to sand or pumice. Skid plates desirable.

Class V - Skid plates necessary; winches may be needed. Don't do it alone.

Class VI - One or more winches needed; road-building may be needed; multiple vehicles needed; on-road welding and repair work may be needed. Being an active church member a plus.

Laurel Lakes - A fairly steep climb but no worse than Class III- to a lake nestled in a glacial bowl. Requires a sharp switchback to get to the water. Located very near Mammoth town. Portagee Bob, Hawkeye, and The Perfessor have done this before. Nice run. Recommended.

Convict Lake Overlook - A basic climb up to the ledge on the south rim of Convict Lake. One steep pitch but no more than Class II. Doesn't take long, and the scenery is nice. The Perfessor has been there several times, even with the Expedition. (Bob, Perfessor, Hawkeye, 10/07)

Spanish Peak - Barely Class II from the turnoff to the Minaret View Point above the Main Lodge on the Devil's Postpile road. It's fine for a quicky.

Wheeler Crest - This is a long road that leads from a turnoff to Swall Meadows at the top of the Sherwin Grade. It climbs along the south rim of Rock Creek canyon. The road was originally put in during the war for some mines in the area above Rock Creek Lake. It goes for some miles, then a fork will take you either to a dead end at a small unnamed lake, or to another mine area in a more southerly direction. Bob and The Perfessor did this in 2005, but not all the way to both ends of the line. There is some rough road surfaces the make this a Class II+, but otherwise nothing technical. The scenery is well worth the ride. Recommended.

Copper Mountain - Copper Mountain is on the north face of Lundy Canyon and has had extensive mining in the past. You access the road by turning off at the top of Conway Summit at the (currently closed) restaurant. It's a basic Class I - II kind of ride in a big circle around the top of the mountain. There are a couple of drop off roads to mine sites on the edge of the mountain but The Perfessor didn't try those. Good views of Mono Lake.

Dunderberg Mine Site - Below and north of Copper Mountain, the Dunderberg Mine and mill site are on the east face of the mountain. It's a simple ride, Class II at best, but kind of scenic and interesting. Not much to see at the mill pond site. Just beyond the place where you come out, you can turn up a road to see Dynamo Pond, where the dam and generators were for Bodie's first power system.

Lundy Canyon - You can drive to the end of the road in Lundy Canyon in almost anything, and I mention it here only because this year there is extensive beaver activity on the creek with several dams and lodges. (Bob, Perfessor, 10/07)

Silverado Canyon - For this and the following item, you need to take CA182 north out of Bridgeport, cross the Nevada border, and then turn left or west on NV338. After a while, you turn off through a guy's back yard (it's legal) and across his pasture and through a gate. If you go straight, you will work your way up a canyon to the site of a huge stamp/crushing mill that marks the community of Silverado. The two mines that fed the mill are very much higher, but you would have to walk - the roads are overgrown and impassable. This is a comfortable, non-technical Class II ride, but worth the trip. (Perfessor, 2003; Bob, Hawkeye, Perfessor 10/07)

Clinton - This is accessible starting as above, but turning east after passing the cows. The Perfessor missed this one and needs to go back for his "Done" entry in his log book. Didn't make it 10/07 either.

Star City, Boulder Flat, and the Frederick Mine - These three sites are all in a line, starting as to Silverado Canyon, but turning southeast and then southwest into the canyon east of Silverado. The climb is not difficult up to Star City, marked by a flat area and one obvious tailings dump. From there, however, a very steep (not rocky, just steep), narrow climb will take you to about 10,000 feet to some buildings and the site of Boulder Flat. There is a quick run south to a pond site where Belfort was located. However, the real fun is north from Boulder City to the Frederick Mine. This is not technically difficult - couple of switchbacks - but the road ends at the mine site where the shelf is narrow and the drop if you miss is several thousand feet straight down. This is probably one to walk into, or go to one car at a time. This whole ride is well worth the effort. Perfessor was there in August, 2003 and had a devil of a time turning around at the mine site. (Bob, Hawkeye, Perfessor 10/07)

Masonic and the Pittsburg Liberty Mine - Masonic is easy to get to just up CA182 from Bridgeport. You can do it the easy way, or go up to NV338, then right instead of left and take the dirt road for a way to the road into Masonic from the north. This is narrow and fairly exciting, though not more than Class II + for narrowness. Somewhere in the immediate area of Masonic is the site of the Pittsburg-Liberty Mine, and its marked on maps, but The Perfessor has yet to definitely locate it. For site seeing, Masonic is fun. There is a steep, beat-up road to a radio tower from there, and you can go south down the Geiger Grade into Bodie. The Perfessor has been there several times. (Bob, Hawkeye, Perfessor 10/07)

China Camp and Chinese Camp - From Bridgeport, the road up Aurora Canyon to the east is a fine climb with some nice scenery. At the top, there is a four-way junction. To the west is Aurora Canyon and Bridgeport - you just came up that way. To the north is a road to Masonic and too the south is the road to the Geiger Grade and Bodie, both easy Class II's. To the east a road takes you to a loop road that runs north to east to south around the massif that contains Bodie and related mountains. Down a ways from four-way junction, another road comes in from the north. At this junction is supposedly the site of Chinese Camp. If you take the side road (looked like Class IV last time) it supposedly takes you to China Camp, and then east to the loop road. Both of the roads east to the loop road are Class III for rough surfaces, particularly the north-most of the two. With multiple vehicles, we should be able to get to these two places OK. Last time out, The Perfessor got chased off the hill by a lightning storm. Not all maps show these sites anymore.

Aurora and Aurora Via Del Monte - From Bodie, a road east follows Bodie Creek and eventually ends up in a flat on the loop road mentioned above at the town site of Fletcher (nothing to be seen there). You can cross the flats on Class I road and go down Luck Boy Pass to Hawthorne, NV. Bob, Hawkeye, and the Perfessor did this several years ago. Just before you get to Fletcher, a road leads to the right to the site of Aurora. At the top of the hill, you encounter the cemetery which is still in use. If you go down the hill, you come to the site of the town, where there still may be foundations visible, although the town was carried away when the mining died in the area. Now, half-way down the Bodie road going toward Fletcher is the site of Del Monte, another mill/mining town site. The older maps show a road from Del Monte into the bottom of the Aurora site. Last time there, The Perfessor was not able to locate this road, and it may have been lost to nature. But one more try should be made. The Bodie road is Class II, not difficult, except one mushy creek crossing. The basic road to Aurora via Fletcher and the cemetery is recommended.

Aurora and Alkali Valley - Around Aurora the maps show a rat's nest of roads leading east and south. More than one of these takes you past or through Alkali Valley and/or Aurora Valley and eventually to CA167 which pass north of Mono Lake and leads to Hawthorne. The Perfessor would like to explore this area and has maps for it. (On the Perfessor's to-do list).

Bodie and Benton Railway - Taking the road down Bodie Creek just out of Bodie (same starting road as above), you come to a right turn off and a really well preserved old mill with the stamps still in place. This is worth seeing. Following this turn off past a mill pond, you cross the old dam (narrow) and then find yourself on the original right-of-way of the Bodie and Benton Railway. This line provided lumber from the forest on the south side of Mono Lake to Bodie. (Side Note: Bodie State Park has now purchased the top of the hill where the original railroad terminal is located and is giving tours there.) The right-of-way is easy to drive, and takes you down the mountain toward Mono Lake. Eventually you come to a point where the road can no longer follow the grade. You can walk to the site of one of the switchbacks. There were two switchbacks and three trestles on the line. Eventually you find the railway again and follow it to the charcoal kiln site and then to CA167 if you wish, or take the ride below to follow. Highly recommended. We rate this a Class II+ or Class III-, mainly for the roughness of the road surface. Recommended. (Bob, Perfessor, 2005; Bob, Hawkeye, Perfessor 10/07)

Mono Diggings - The site of the second gold strike in the area is called Mono Diggings and is located on the hills east of the Conway Grade on US395. You can reach it going east from a turnout on the highway, or from the east going west by following a good road from the railway grade ride described above. Quite a bit of really scenic stuff here, weird rocks, etc. A short steep climb from the top of the trail into the diggings will get you up and over the Sinnamon Cut, a ploughed-up area where massive water jets were used to scour the hillside for gold. If you keep going, you will be at the top of Conway Peak area. Recommended for scenic value, about a Class II+. Recommended. (Bob and Perfessor, 2005)

Sawmill Meadows - Kelty Meadows - This trip is actually located many miles east of Lee Vining, starting off of CA120. The massif containing Mono Craters, over to Benton, and south to Bishop is honeycombed with dirt roads, all pretty much Class I, lots of nice places to take the wife for a picnic. This trip starts out the same. It takes a while to get to the turn off going east on CA120 from below Lee Vining, then to travel south along the spine of the massif. Several roads come up from the east side of the range and CA120. Some of these take you into very scenic canyons, but nothing a simple car can't handle. If you follow the map far enough, you come to a picnic table and toilet at a place called Sawmill Meadows, nice for lunch. However, instead of going back the way you came, you turn off the road ¼ of a mile back, and this then takes you down the hill and through some interesting scenery - some exposed rock hills, some trees, lots of different stuff. Eventually you can follow a power line access road to the road that goes behind Crowley Lake, or the other way to the road to Benton. Not technically difficult except it is narrow for a while across a creek bottom and this will definitely scratch the sides of even a CJ5. Recommended. (Perfessor, 08/03; Bob, Perfessor 10/07)

Backside of Mono Lake - There are two primary roads that take you around the east side of Mono Lake. One starts out from CA167 following the old railroad grade to Warm Springs at the back side of the lake. That's easy. From there, the roads are unclear and the sand gets very soft - pumice sand. Following what choice you make, you will eventually end up at the South Tufa Preserve and Navy Beach. The Perfessor would not try this again without at least one vehicle with a winch. (Perfessor, (08/03)

Backside of Mono Lake, Part 2 - Further east on CA167 from the turnoff mentioned above, another road goes south behind the lake, but at a much greater distance from it (the one above is really just above the high water mark). This is called the Deep Wells Road on some maps. It eventually takes you to Adobe Ranch and CA120. The Perfessor was advised by a local that this is a soft-pumice road and not to be taken lightly, so he has not explored it on his own further. There are several roads in that area but their conditions are unknown. (Perfessor, 08/03)

Mono Mills - The mill site for the Mono Mills that processed the lumber carried by the Bodie and Benton Railway is right on CA120 and you no doubt have all seen it. However, if you go through that site you will find a road that takes you down toward the edge of the lake. If you take this road you will cross the railroad grade at least twice, although this road does not match those found on some maps. You will encounter two water tanks put in at later dates no doubt for cattle. Beyond that point, the stuff gets really soft. Again, if you had winches along this might be fun to explore. (Pefessor, 08/03)

Pizona - A little further along CA120 from the Adobe Ranch road is the road to River Springs. This is a straight, flat haul across a desert to a single large building and a running springs with frogs, etc. This was apparently a stagecoach stop at one time. From behind this building, you can go to Pizona, which consists of a single building that is in poor shape. The road in has mesquite that is over 12 feet in height, tallest in the area. It's narrow, and at one point follows a creekbed, that is, the road is the creekbed, and some really narrow overgrowth. Beyond the building site, the road continues through heavy brush. On their 2005 trial in this area, Bob and The Perfessor stopped at a point where the overgrowth simply blocked the canyon altogether. However, the map shows that the road actually goes all the way to US6 in Montgomery Pass in Nevada. Note that the spring of 2005 was very heavy rain in the area, and the current conditions may be better. Class III for narrowness, but otherwise Class II. Recommended. (Bob, Perfessor 2005)

Beartrack Canyon - A half-day excursion right out the back door of Lee Vining takes you to a high meadow and some mine sites just a few miles out of town. Definitely one to explore. Class II in Roger Mitchell's book.

Queen Dick's Mine - Not far south on US6 from Benton, a gate allows you access to a road that winds up the alluvial side of the valley to the east. It's a slow-go class III for roughness, but not otherwise a problem. Eventually you will come to a cabin and compound made up entirely of piled stones. This is where Queen Dick, a local shepherd Indian, kept his sheep. He discovered gold in the canyon above, but didn't know what to do with it so he sold the claim and kept on with the sheep. It's an interesting place to visit. Recommended. (Perfessor, 2003)

Montgomery City - Further up US6 from Benton toward Montgomery Pass is a turn off to Montgomery City. This was a little-heard-of mining camp of the 1860's. The road is Class III+ for roughness. The town site is marked by some ruins. (On the Perfessor's to-do list).

Blind Spring Hill - This hill is on the ridge to the south of Benton. At the top of the hill are literally hundreds of open mines, pits, and digging sites. Apparently at the time of the strike, the whole hilltop was alive with people. The original main road up to the top apparently washed out years ago, so to get there you need to go to Benton Hot Springs, turn south on YellowJacket road through the reservation, and at the fence you will see a road hauling straight up the hill to the left. This is a Class III+ to Class IV haul for steepness, and it turns narrow near the top. However, once there, there is lots to see. There is a drop from the highest point to a mining area lower down, and coming up this you are in Class IV for a combination of steepness and slippery stuff that spins out under your tires. Highly Recommended for driving fun as well as site seeing - probably the best wheelin' in the area that we have found. (Perfessor, 2003; Bob, Perfessor 2005)

Chidago Canyon - This canyon is accessible off of US6 above Bishop. It contains some petroglyphs and interesting scenery. It has some Class III stuff at the lower end. Didn't see the Class III stuff, just a nice ride. (Bob, Perfessor 10/07)

Buttermilk Country - The long flat grade visible to the west as you come down the Sherwin Grade toward Bishop on US395 is called Buttermilk Country because supposedly an early dairy farmer grazed his cows there. To access this area, leave Bishop going west on Baseline Street and eventually you will see a turn off onto a Class I road north (Baseline goes on to the Bishop Lakes). The road is essentially a big loop that takes you north, then counter-clockwise around in a circle. The scenery gets more lush as you climb. There are a couple of more technical dead-end climbs (Class III) that you can make from this main road which is fairly easy to navigate, no more than Class II. It takes a while to do the loop, but the scenery is worth it. Recommended. (Bob, Perfessor, 2005)

Coyote Creek - An all-day trip to the mountainside south of Bishop, you leave from Baseline in town and follow directions. This trip takes you to high-mountain scenery, some old mines, and a bit of Class III driving. (On the Perfessor's to-do list).

Baker Creek - This is a deviation from the Coyote Creek trip and does the same thing, high scenery and some Class III driving.

Moulas Mine - An all-day run out of Bishop into the west slope of the White Mountains with some Class III for fun.

Gunter's Mine - An all-day run out of Bishop into the west slope of the White Mountains with some Class III for fun.

Wyman Canyon and the White Mountain Traverse - This trip takes you from CA168 out of Big Pine to some settlements in Deep Springs Valley. From there, you climb Wyman Canyon to the top of the White Mountains in the Bristlecone forest, and then take Silver Canyon down to Bishop. From the road along the crest, you can descend into Crooked Creek Canyon and thence into Cottonwood Creek Canyon as well. We had two hunting trips to Crooked Creek in the distant past (1979 was one of them) and explored into Cottonwood Creek as well. Portagee Bob and the Perfessor came up Wyman Canyon, explored Crooked Creek and Cottonwood Creek, and descended Silver Canyon on 10/16/07. Long day but well worth the trip. (See the adventure pictures for this trip.)

NOTE: There are many other trips possible in these and other areas and in the entire Owen's Valley. We don't know the current access situation for the Cerro Gordo road, as the woman who inherited the mine from her Uncle (remember the stories of the old codger who screamed down the hill drunk to buy more booze in Keeler?) and who was restoring it for a resort has died and another family member has taken over. At last check the road was closed. However, the road down the back side of Cerro Gordo leads to some interesting stuff on the west side of Death Valley. At the top of the mountain range just north of Cerro Gordo, it is supposedly still possible to access New York Butte, the site of the salt mine tram station from Saline Valley over to Swansea in Owens Valley. You could do this either by going to Cerro Gordo first, or by a steep but more direct route up the west face of the butte. Remains to be seen what works. There also is some good 4-wheelin' around Ubehebe Crater and the Racetrack in the west side of Death Valley, coming south out of these areas toward Darwin.