I went back through my collection of guidebooks (actually printed on paper!) and found one by Roger Mitchell copyright 1983 that describes the route into Coyote Flats. I have compared his trail instructions with currently available satellite imagery and everything seems to line up. I guess that means that I will volunteer to be trail leader. I am open to suggestion on meeting times and locations. Departure point will be from Bishop. According to Google Maps it should take less than two hours to get from Bishop to the campsite I previously designated (37.229562, -118.492555). Provided that it hasn't already been occupied, I believe this would serve as a good location for base camp. But, I have never been here before. So if someone has better information, please speak up.
Hey Tony, I just got back for Coyote Flats Monday. Most information seems accurate. I will add a bit more to it if that helps.
1. 2 hours is pretty accurate. It took us 2:20 on Sunday but we had to pull off about a dozen times to let folks by has most were leaving on a Sunday. In fact, by the time we got up there nobody else was there at all. I imagine there will be fair amount of rigs there on a Friday/Sat night.
2. Campsite - Lots of fire rings by Funnel Lake. However, it is very exposed and the wind was unbearable for us. I will PM the coordinates of the meadow we stayed at that was nice and protected. This maybe a good back up option for ya.
3. Ford Flat road is closed just east of the meadow. Boulders fell into the road creating an impassable wall. looks like its been that way for awhile.
4. Onion Creek road out to Big Pine is knurly. We checked it out and deemed it has a no go. The first "obstacle" has the rig 3 wheeling off camber towards a large drop off the shelf road.
Let me know if there is any info I can help with.
Miles
