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Camping in the Buttermilks

Original Post
WadeC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 0

It seems that a lot of good camping spots in the Buttermilks have been made off limits by City of Los Angeles. I know that LA gets a lot of their water from up there, but why the ban on camping?
Anybody have any information about this?

JGHarrison harrison · · Reno, NV · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 50

Wade,

I think the long and short of it is the area just gets too much impact. There is no shitter there, so the sage flats are covered in poo. Also, the vegetation is getting destroyed. And, a lot of the campfire rings are full of nails and glass. It is just not a sustainable place for all the visitors to Bishop to camp. You probably know of the "pit" camping. It is maintained with good facilities and only costs 2 bucks. Sure you have to drive to the milks, but it is way easier on the environment and future access. Plus, its right next to the Happys/Sads and is waaay more protected from wind and cold.

Camping at the milks is pretty, but so exposed that you cant have fires most of the time...the Pit is way better, especially in winter.

JH

Garret Nuzzo Jones · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 1,436

The City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is the owner of the land you're referring to in the Buttermilks climbing area. They do not allow camping on any of their land in the Owens Valley area, the Buttermilks aren't special in any way.

Dispersed camping is allowed on the USFS land in that area. You can find a lot of good camping spots just before you get to the main Buttermilks climbing area (on the right near the stream). There are also numerous campsites beyond the main climbing area, near the Horton Lakes trailhead and beyond. Most people don't ever seem to go past the climbing area for camping, which mystifies me as the campsites further up the road are much much better.

Rob Gordon · · Hollywood, CA · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 115

Shhhhh Garrett.

Colonel Mustard · · Sacramento, CA · Joined Sep 2005 · Points: 1,241
Custer wrote: By jove this is 'Merica! We drive big rigs that cast a big shadow!
Custer! I am your father!
Brian Chastain · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2011 · Points: 100

Well I have been looking into the penal code on the sign and talking to some people from the City of Los Angeles DWP and they have not appointed anyone to act as agent to enforce the signs legally. Basically they are trying to, by request of local residents, enforce no camping to decrease fire incidents. The problem with the penal code is either no trespassing at all or have at what you will. The no trespassing means, to the disappointment to the local residents that are soon to find this out, no OHV. Meaning; no dirt bikes, jeeps, Rhinos or what ever you drive or ride. The signs say no camping, but the penal code has no mention of camping. I'm just a little upset because we were run off from a far out corner by an A**Hole local (non climber) who was romping the S**T out of a bush, the creak and land in a Yamaha Rhino. Basically, no matter what happens, if you are asked to leave by someone appointed by the City of Los Angeles, whom no ones seems to be officially appointed you have to leave. You can not be charged with a crime if you leave immediately (pack your camp equipment and go) and they cannot legally confiscate any equipment left unattended until said owners are notified of their violation, once again, by an appointed agent/representative whom has not been legally determined????? Called and asked the police department if they were appointed and the guy said, "Yeah sure we have." I asked, "Legally have you been appointed and can they provide documentation?" I got hung up on, yes, hung up on. So if anyone cares to maybe look into it and enlighten some of us that would be great. Also, to clarify, I would prefer that camping be done a considerable distance away from the climbing areas so internet trolls, please keep your keyboard toughness away from me. I am just trying to find some real answers and resolve here.

Brian Chastain · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2011 · Points: 100

Also, I am all for the elimination of impact. I just want to see the area used for foot traffic only e.g. hiking, backpacking, climbing, fishing, hunting, trail running etc....... To say you can romp the crap out of an area with OHV's and not camp is kind of asinine. Plus people shoot like crazy up there. And I don't need a fire to camp. Especially in that wind.

Scott Sinner · · Reno, NV · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 35

Brian, great work for looking into this. For those of us that just want somewhere safe and flat to park our car for a night, it's bullshit that some far away, water-sucking city can say no.

randy88fj62 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2010 · Points: 291
Garret Nuzzo-Jones wrote:The City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is the owner of the land you're referring to in the Buttermilks climbing area. They do not allow camping on any of their land in the Owens Valley area, the Buttermilks aren't special in any way. Dispersed camping is allowed on the USFS land in that area. You can find a lot of good camping spots just before you get to the main Buttermilks climbing area (on the right near the stream). There are also numerous campsites beyond the main climbing area, near the Horton Lakes trailhead and beyond. Most people don't ever seem to go past the climbing area for camping, which mystifies me as the campsites further up the road are much much better.
Garret,
I occasionally camp near the Buttermilk area. I am confused as to which area is legal to camp. If I take the 168 west out of town and turn right onto Buttermilk Road (heading north); Is the legal camping before or after the barb wire fence which has only space for one car to go through?
Bishop Loco · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2015 · Points: 0

Hi All,
A fourth year of severe drought continues to turn the Eastern Sierras into a tinder box. I respectfully ask your consideration of the following as you enjoy the area, especially the Buttermilks:

1. Please please reconsider your use of campfires AND campstoves. I am fortunate to be able to use the Buttermilks for a lot of recreation (running mostly) on a regular basis, and it is disheartening to come upon abandoned fire rings that have NOT been adequately suffocated out. I have found fire-rings abandoned and still smoking on windy days; fires have been started in the Buttermilks as a result of this kind of carelessness.

2. With respect to request #1, please instead consider driving into town for your meals and morning coffee and to support the local establishments.

3. With respect to request #2, please slow down on Buttermilk Road. This road is used frequently by runners, MTB-ers, and people out with their dogs and kids. By slowing down from 50mph to 30mph you add roughly 2 minutes to your drive. The mountains aren't going anywhere.

Thanks much for your consideration and enjoy your time here!

Grumpy Gym Climber · · Sacramento · Joined Mar 2013 · Points: 10

Just camp at the pit. In addition to fire hazard, the lack of rain fall and undeveloped (i.e.. very low organic matter) soils mean that human and other waste does not degrade, creating a real environmental problem. The Pit is cheap, has clean toilet facilities and basically keeps all of the garbage and waste either collected or well contained to one area. Having camped on the BLM land near Owens River Gorge and at the Pit, I can firmly say the Pit is better for the environment and all concerned (there is even water available at the pumps at the camper campground next door).

Bottom line - because of the fragility of the ecosystem, keep to established camp grounds.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern California
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