Southern California - Horseshoe Meadows Rd in Lone Pine?

On the way home from Mammoth last weekend, we stopped for lunch in Lone Pine and I saw some switchbacks taunting me. Maybe it was withdrawals from not having my bike for a week, maybe it's because I didn't get close enough to see the road surface, but it looks like a fun and scenic climb. Has anybody ridden this road?

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/lone-pine/458125098972974960

p.s. sorry for posting this in two regions, but it's kind of in the middle.

On the way home from Mammoth last weekend, we stopped for lunch in Lone Pine and I saw some switchbacks taunting me. Maybe it was withdrawals from not having my bike for a week, maybe it's because I didn't get close enough to see the road surface, but it looks like a fun and scenic climb. Has anybody ridden this road?

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/lone-pine/458125098972974960

p.s. sorry for posting this in two regions, but it's kind of in the middle.Did it 2 years ago. For my money it's the most epic climb in the Sierra's It was 25 miles from the hotel in Lone Pine finishing at over 10,000+. The switchbacks you can see from 395 are only the first half. It goes over the back side and then it really gets hard. I don't think I could do it without support. We had people with water and that made all the difference since it was 100+ in Lone Pine. It's a wonderful climb though. The views are amazing.I'm pretty sure there is a thread about it on this forum from 2007.

Here it is http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=321855&highlight=horseshoe+meadows

That one has eluded me. I'm going to stay in Lone Pine next year on my awy to Mammoth and knock it out early in the morning instead of trying to do it after Onion Valley and Whitney Portal...

http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/7339.jpg

Thanks. I guess I should have considered water. Is there at least water at the top? I could carry 3 bottles to last me 4 hours.

Thanks. I guess I should have considered water. Is there at least water at the top? I could carry 3 bottles to last me 4 hours.There are campgrounds at the top but I don't know about water. You might make it on 3 bottles, depends on how hot it is. We started a 6am and still went through 4 or 5 bottles. It was much cooler at the top, but then again it should be at 10,500 ft.

Any streams? My wife has apparently found a water filter that can make some of the crappiest water safe... and is considering getting it for our Half Dome trip.

if you don't have/use a camelbak or the like...

depending on when you go, you may find a small stream along the way but i wouldn't depend on it.
near road's end there is a large equestrian staging area so there are the usual water sources like
ground pumps, troughs for that type of operation. if your water filter can handle cryptosporidium,
it'll handle anything there.

Any streams? My wife has apparently found a water filter that can make some of the crappiest water safe... and is considering getting it for our Half Dome trip.Lone Pine Creek follows the road up to Whitney Portal which is one way to get to Horseshoe but it's down a rocky bank I don't think would try it in cycling shoes. Better to stage some water. Why don't you have your wife sag? That way you could have a cold drink and a ride down.:thumb:

Why don't you have your wife sag?
You haven't met my wife. She wouldn't find it enjoyable to sag, and she's not too fond of my cycling as it is. She'd probably do it as a birthday present or something, but other than that, she'd be more likely to drop me off at the bottom and pick me up when she's done hiking, taking beautiful photographs, and visiting the nearest museum/visitor center/art gallery.

It's not beyond me to drive up ahead of time and stash supplies in hiding places.

You haven't met my wife. She wouldn't find it enjoyable to sag, and she's not too fond of my cycling as it is. She'd probably do it as a birthday present or something, but other than that, she'd be more likely to drop me off at the bottom and pick me up when she's done hiking, taking beautiful photographs, and visiting the nearest museum/visitor center/art gallery.

It's not beyond me to drive up ahead of time and stash supplies in hiding places.Well, there is no better place to hike and take beautiful photographs than the top of Horseshoe Meadows. Lots of trail heads up there.

Take her to the Galen Rowell gallery in Bishop, get her all fired up to take pictures, then point her to the tops of Horseshow and Whitney Portal and ask her to drop some water along the way.

When I hiked Mt. Whitney from Horseshoe Meadows in July I would have to say I'll leave that climb for my car to do the work and save my legs for something more....enjoyable. Some climbs are a *****, others are a bastard. I would classify that as something else. =P