Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126458
HWY168 N t BISHOP "'~~ '. «'-9 •• '(~(C' YANEY IC Return to Coyote Creek By Donald E. L Betsworth Photos by Donald W. Betsworth After three years, I finally was able to return to Coyote Creek. On our first trip (Cycle News, Nov. 23, 1976) it was perfect. In the article, I said I'd be back the following year to take a look down that other road. We tried. Our next go at it was a snowout. We made it to 10,000 feet and 12 miles in before having to beat a hasty retreat, both wet and ,I ,ROUNDMT. 11,183 I )( .. " LINDNER MINE o o BOTTOM ROCKY COYOTE FLAT -- . I lAKE SUGARLOAF I 11,026 SOUTH LAKE 10 - I, 12,228 HUNCHBACK , cold. Our next try ended at 7.1 miles with a l!O-penny spike in a rear tire. (Instant flat fIXer. didn't. That stuff is good, but it can't fix a two-inch split in a tube. Last year we had plans, but two days before on anotber ride, a high berm (Pumice type) disappeared under use resulting in a badly sprained back. This year the fIShing was too good and many trips exploring in the dune buggy (mom's motorcycle) really cut into the riding days. With three days of vacation left, I fmally said, "Coyote Creek, here I come again... The weatber had been full of the typical afternoon thundentorms in the high country. The roads were muddy for many miles but in reasonably good shape. One redeeming feature of the damp weather was the lack of the usual penetrating dust. The start is fairly easy to find; it hasn't changed in four yean. From 395 in Bishop, turn left, or west, on 168 and go 2.7 miles to Reata Road. It's just past Izaak Walton Park. Tum left and proceed about one mile. The road turns slightly left, so follow it around. and then take the fint road to the right. This is Coyote Valley Road. Follow the road (it's dirt now) west to the power station and park under the powerlines just beyond. Unload here and gas up. Take the road going west up the wide canyon. The first few miles are very sandy but it soon turns into a rocky, rutty track as it starts up the bill. Up a couple of tight switchbacks, a little flat, then a little down. Then, it's up again, and gradually you will start to enter some trees. This part is a zig-zag route and a tad tricky. One word of caution. In this area on the way down we spotted a four-wheeler coming up. We pulled off to wait and he roared by WFO. I don't think he ever saw us. He was, lucky for us, the only penon or vehicle we saw during the 50-plus mile trip. When you get up on top of this fint rise, it's a bare volcanic plateau. There are a few places you can look down into Bishop, over one mile below. Continuing you now drop down a little and make your lint crossing of Coyote Creek. They had had a pretty fair winter up here, so it was a surprise to find the water in the streams and lakes :(Continued to page 50)