US 6 / US 395 – Olancha

Basin and Range – Owens Valley

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Olancha: Jct SR-190 EAST
El. 3650′

Main part of Olancha along US 395. Looking north.
Main part of Olancha along US 395. Looking north.
Looking north toward the junction with State 190.

State 190, the road to Death Valley, meets US 395 here. The bed of Owens Lake also becomes visible here. It was drained starting in 1913 after the Los Angeles Aqueduct was opened which diverted its main source of water – the Owens River. Since then, toxic dust, filled with the evaporite minerals from the desiccated lake blows into the air causing many ailments. Some improvements to the lake bed have been made, which has reduced the problem. Olancha has yet to be bypassed but plans are underway to construct a western bypass starting in October 2021.

Go East on US 6 / North US 395 to Bishop

Go West on US 6 / South US 395 to Mojave

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