Coyote Flats USFS, CA

Early dec overflight of coyote flats...dirt strip is at 10k...

Second attempt to get to Funnel Lake was successful! A couple months back we tried to get to the lake but it was impassable for us due to deep ruts. It looks like the forest service or volunteers made a bypass since then so we were able to get up to the lake!



We apparently picked the harder rocky trail to get to the lake but our stock Taco did fine. Upgraded suspension would've made the ride 10x more comfortable though.



Trail Rating / Review - Fairly moderate throughout for a stock height Tacoma. No real traction or clearance issues unless you pick the harder offshoots. The rock gardens right before the lake require a careful line. Super scenic trail going from desert to alpine in under 2 hours of climbing. The lake is at 11k-ish elevation so altitude sickness may get you if you're not used to it.



Technical - Forgot to shoot in 4k so enjoy the 1080p!

In this 2 episode, 3 night overlanding adventure, we explore the 10.000' Coyote Flat Plateau in the Eastern Sierra's Inyo Wilderness.

You can watch the first episode here: https://youtu.be/POPIU-bb0s8

We started the trail from the Coyote Valley Road out of Bishop and come out in Big Pine via the very challenging 32E303. Along the way we explorer the numerous mining sites including the Peterson Mill, Salty Peterson Mine, Brackett Prospect, Linder Prospect and the Schober Mining Camp. The mining activity was done during WWII when tungsten was in demand. A.H. Peterson build the road to Coyote Flat in 1940 to access his claims and mill. We also checked out some of the epic views of Rocky Bottom Lake, Funnel Lake, South Lake and Green Lake. On our way out we stopped at the abandon Cold War Era military airstrip which is known as the highest airfield in North America. It was originally built in the 1960's as a thigh altitude test site by the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base. Sadly the Forest Service has removed the runway and all the structures but you can still clearly see where the airstrip was located. We then challenged our driving skills by doing some very technical off-roading to get down.

You can checkout our first trip to Coyote Flat here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_B3w...

Starlink Internet:
https://www.starlink.com/

Southern Style Offroad Slimline Versa front bumper:
https://www.southernstyleoffroad.com/...

Souther Style Offroad Stage 2 High clearance:
https://www.southernstyleoffroad.com/...

Smittybilt X20 Winch 10,000 lbs synthetic:
https://www.smittybilt.com/product-sk...

Rough Country Black Series LED 20" Dual Row Light bar with amber DRL:
https://www.roughcountry.com/20inch-...|&utm_content=&utm_term=||c||main_70920BDA&gclid=CjwKCAjwi8iXBhBeEiwAKbUofX5znoBLj2OiWiS2ylWjsDvn1tLThJLVplFUDy1fn5Z_PDp3Qj91xxoCqVgQAvD_BwE

ICON Stage 9 CDEV Suspension System with Intelligent Control: https://iconvehicledynamics.com/cdev/

ICON Thrust Smoked Satin Black Wheels:
https://iconvehicledynamics.com/wheel...

285/70 R17 BFG K02:
https://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/auto/...

Demello Offroad:
https://www.demello-offroad.com/

https://tuffstuff4x4.com/collections/... Alpha II Roof Top Tent

https://caliraisedoffroad.com sliders and ditch lights

https://rcimetalworks.com Complete skid plate set including the differential along with mid height bed rack.

https://www.roamadventureco.com Roof top Tent and Awning

https://decked.com Drawer System

https://www.relentlessfabrication.com High Clearance Rear Bumper

https://www.bajadesigns.com/ S2 sport pods

https://tacovinyl.com TRD grill with Raptor lights

https://www.weathertech.com window deflectors

https://www.blueridgeoverlandgear.com Tacoma Attic

https://www.switchpros.com light controller

https://www.weboost.com cellphone

https://www.jackery.com Jackery 1000 & 240

https://icecofreezer.com/ VL45 refrigerator

https://mountainhatch.org/ Tailgate Hatch

OMG! I think they got it on camera!
Get all Kevin E Lake novels and short story collections in print or Kindle at: https://amzn.to/3h2pVIr

Get all of our homemade items (like our super awesome Bigfoot Sasquatch field research kit) in our Etsy store “Homesteading Haven” at this link: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HomesteadingHaven?ref=l2-about-shopname

Check out my wife Dearly’s channel @lifewithdearly8102

Show some love to Jenny Jo @astaroth271