Trail Overview

This descent drops over 250 feet in just 2.5 miles as it approaches Mono Lake through scenic open terrain. The sand and gravel trail makes its way down towards the lake through an open meadow lined with brush, offering excellent views of Mono Lake, the Eastern Sierra, and Crater Mountain throughout the descent. The route provides a direct path from Highway 395 to the lakeshore area with consistent scenic vistas.

Photos of Oil Plant Road - FS 01N18

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Difficulty

The trail is 1.5 vehicle widths wide with sand and gravel surfaces that are fairly smooth with some washboards.

History

Oil Plant Road near Mono Lake has its roots in the mining activity that boomed in the area during the mid-1800s. It's not directly named after a specific oil plant, but rather, likely references the plants used for fuel in the early mining operations. The area saw a surge of prospectors after gold was discovered nearby, leading to the establishment of towns like Monoville and influencing the development of the road.

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