Wild camping, fishing spots and outback swimming holes all bask in the glorious light of California's high country.
THE DRIVE
Highway 395 is the road-trippers' backbone of a stunning swathe of California mountain country just east of Mammoth Lakes. For this photographic journey, we side-quested on Owens River Road, out to the Hot Creek dispersed camping zone, and beyond.
Wildsam California
Newly refreshed with an assist from our friends at Vuori, our guide to California road trips roams from one end of the Golden State to the other.
A NOTE ON SIERRA CAMPING
The Eastern Sierra stands out for its vast swaths of public land. Dispersed camping—meaning visitors can stay overnight on public lands outside of designated campgrounds—is a privilege and comes with responsibility. Visitors must treat the land with respect and care, especially when no amenities are provided. Learning proper waste disposal practices are important, as practicing Leave No Trace ethics. A great resource for these practices can be found online via Mono County and a range of partner agencies and organizations.
SPRING AHEAD
This stretch of mountain country is noted for hot springs, but our crew also chilled out in the cool spring Layton, near Crowley Lake.
RIVERSIDE REVERIES
The Owens River is a rare year-round fishery, increasingly renowned among anglers for its browns and rainbows.
Photographer Brian Chorski's first book, Another Patch of Sky, documents similar adventures in the American West.
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California Gold
Mazda and Wildsam team up for a sun-kissed family adventure in the Golden State.
