Sierra car camping recommendations - Ebbetts, Monitor pass

[El Chupacabra]

I need to get out of the smoke & heat in Reno. Anyone have recommendations for camping areas around Ebbetts or Monitor pass in the Sierra?

Looking for high-elevation, empty-dirt-road type of campground -- just someplace to kick back with a cooler and book. Nice views & mosquito-less would be good too.

[haydukelives]

the cali topo map books will give you lots of good ideas

[Tye 1on]

Looking for high-elevation, empty-dirt-road type of campground -- just someplace to kick back with a cooler and book and enjoy my kickass new tent trailer, complete with speakers, fridge and outdoor shower.

fixed it for ya. Have a fun trip, I don't know shit about that area....

[El Chupacabra]

the cali topo map books will give you lots of good ideas

I have one of those, and I've been in the area, so I have a rough idea of where I'm headed -- but have never been in any of the campsites along those roads, so am looking for some specific recommendations if anyone has a favorite site.

fixed it for ya. Have a fun trip, I don't know shit about that area....

[pajamas]

Highland Lakes south of Ebbetts is pretty nice car camping with lots of day hiking around.

[gimpy]

i always prefer the bandido camping method whenever possible. one of my fav spots is on the top of monitor down a desertd dirt rd. since you'll prolly be coming from draino heading up monitor from 395, once the road stops gaining elevation, look for a dirt rd on the right. follow it out a ways and there area a couple of spur roads that take you up to sweet vista spots and usually in a nice stiff breeze. rediculusly sweet spot to mcheck out the sunset while chilling in the breeze and drinking a few. we were able to drive it in our westphalia so i'd think your tow behind could make it. there are numerous other little spur roads off monitor that need exploration so tell us about it if you find another cool one.

only places i know off ebbets are the actualy campgrounds at highland lakes and that one befor the pass starts climbing. back aways before the pass starts climbinh tnere are some sweet pullover bandido spots rigght along the carson river that could be sweet as well, but the skeeters will obviously be worse rthen monitor.

[Vets]

Highland Lakes south of Ebbetts is pretty nice car camping with lots of day hiking around.

Seconded.

There are also some good high elevation options near Sonora Pass you might wish to consider. Mrs. Vets and I have camped there before.

[powdork]

Whats the road like to Highland Lakes for an Outback loaded w/kids and camping gear?

[El Chupacabra]

Whats the road like to Highland Lakes for an Outback loaded w/kids and camping gear?

Info I found online says rough road, but any car can drive it.

gimpy -- deserted dirt road on top of Monitor sounds perfect.

Edit: damn, the Death Ride is this weekend. Thinking that camping along Ebbetts or Monitor won't be a quiet experience.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Edit: damn, the Death Ride is this weekend. Thinking that camping along Ebbetts or Monitor won't be a quiet experience.

Was just about to chime in and say that mang. The ride is Saturday, so if you get in somewhere Friday night you should be cool....but the pass roads will be closed nearly all of Saturday so you'll be stuck whereever you end up.

[El Chupacabra]

Was just about to chime in and say that mang. The ride is Saturday, so if you get in somewhere Friday night you should be cool....but the pass roads will be closed nearly all of Saturday so you'll be stuck whereever you end up.

I guess we could go camp on gimpy's dirt road at the top of Monitor, arrive Friday night, then head back out to the pavement on Monitor with lawnchairs & heckle the riders...

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

I guess we could go camp on gimpy's dirt road at the top of Monitor, arrive Friday night, then head back out to the pavement on Monitor with lawnchairs & heckle the riders...

ha..yes. there will be a huge rest stop up there at the top so the heckling should be prime!