After a little shopping in South Lake Tahoe this morning we got on SR 89 toward Markleeville. Our eventual goal was to get to Twin Lakes Campground on Robinson Creek outside of Bridgeport on Hwy 395. SR 89 was a treat even Slinky liked it and there was little traffic. Lots of pictures over Monitor Pass and a Marmot to greet us at the top. All-in-all a beautiful drive. Upon reaching Hwy 395 we headed south toward Bridgeport. After about 20 miles we were stopped and told the road was closed ahead. Our only option was to turn around and go to Topaz (about 5 miles further north than we joined Hwy 395). Anyway to make a short drive long we turned an hour drive into a 2 ½ hour drive with the detour that started in Topaz.
The campground at Twin Lakes was fantastic. Robinson Creek was about 100 feet from our campsite and the snowcapped mountains on the backside of Yosemite could be seen in the opposite direction. The entire Walker Valley was gorgeous. Slinky was engrossed with the small herd of deer that periodically walked through the campground.
We were able to utilize our America The Beautiful Senior Discount Card. First of all if you don’t have one get one NOW. This is a lifetime pass for free admission into any National Park. You can buy it online or at many National Parks when you reach 62 years of age. When I bought mine it cost $10. I think it is higher now but still a great deal. To prove my point, campsites at this campground were $28.00/night with my America the Beautiful Senior Discount Card campsites cost only $11.50/night. It pays for itself in a hurry.
I just looked online and found out everything there is to know about a parks pass.
Here’s the link:
https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/senior-pass-changes.htm?utm_source=feesandpasses&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=senior_pass
I learned a pass, whether a lifetime or yearly pass, gets you in free to a number of places run by different entities within the government.
If you buy by the year, you can turn in four yearly passes for a lifetime pass. That’s the best deal of all!!