It was the Dog Days of summer 2025 when we headed north. August eighteenth, a Monday, to be exact. It was hot, had been all summer. Headed from Prescott to the Lost Coast, all packed up and on the road. Went to Ash Fork then followed Old Route 66 to Kingman. I40 would be faster but last time we drove it it was terrible, broken up pavement and pot holes, they may have fixed it but that's doubtful. Route 66 was nicer and more scenic anyway. First night in Boulder City at an RV Park so we could easily use the A/C.

Then on to Tonapah through the National Recreation area. This is slower but you miss Vegas. Stopped one night in Tonapah then onto US-95 north. The fun began as we turned west at Coaldale Junction on US-6. Even more fun when we turned off 6 towards Benton and Mono Lake. This is where we saw some contour and the first sighting of the Sierras.

We hoped to camp somewhere short of Mono Lake. There are a number of boondocking roads in the area but didn't find anything too nice. Also noted the elevation was pushing 8000' in the area which is Denise's limit. After poking around some we headed for the NF campground at June Lake. We were lucky to snag a site for two nights. There were a number of deer around the campground including the one at the top of this page just off the road. Nice area and high enough to not be too hot. Gas was real cheap since we were in California.

North on US-395 feeling like we were truely near the Sierras. Took Monitor Pass (HW-89) and made our way to South Lake Tahoe. In the mountains we followed several creeks. I think the pics below are of the Carson River.

Went by Lake Tahoe on the west side. This was Friday and all the major roads were very busy. Likewise all the facilities (stores, groceries, lodging, etc) were crammed with people. Stopped in South Lake Tahoe for food and gas but not again till after Truckee. Everything was mobbed.

North of Lake Tahoe, still on HW-89, we stopped for the weekend at the Lower Little Truckee CG. A small Forst Service CG on the banks for the, wait for it, Little Truckee River. HW-89 was too close but quited down at night. There was construction just up the road and vehicles stacked up all the way past the CG. It was fun watching them get frustrated, even waved at a few who were more friendly. Fun watching all the camping rigs.

Denise found one the nicest crystals she's come across right in our campsite. We spent time relaxing and hiked one day to the Upper Little Truckee CG. Nice and relaxing with great weather.

We followed HW-89 north to Sierraville then HW-49 west down the slope of the Sierras. On the west side the vegitation is more abundant and greener.

We stopped for one overnight at Salmon Creek CG just slightly off our route. We wanted to stop at elevation, cooler, before shooting across the Sacramento Valley. Nice campground, we could spend more time in this area. The Sierra Mountains are spectacular, not as much around Tahoe but in general they are.

OK, but where's Waldo?