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?

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

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.

Shhhhh Garrett.

I agree with JG as to impact. That impact is attributable to bouldering's adoption as the new high-speed thing by legions of self-obssessed 20 somethings. Predictably, they don't care where they shit or that camping right next the boulders is going to fuck everything up. Apart from the legit sites like Horton Creek, there is plenty of who-cares camping on FS land. If you want to defy LA's siezure, good for you. There is concealment farther up that expansive hill above the Buttermilks. Legend has it that Dale Bard lived up there for three years illegally camped every single night. The kiddie cult I mentioned doesn't go for this because it assualts the pack mentality, the short attention span and because that road destroys their anemic little hatch-backs. Cast a small shadow and don't follow the bad examples whatever you do.

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.

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.

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.