DEATH

VALLEY

NATIONAL

PARK

P I P E R

M O U N T A I N

W I L D E R N E S S

J O H N

M U I R

W I L D E R N E S S

I N Y O

M O U N T A I N S

W I L D E R N E S S

J O H N

M U I R

W I L D E R N E S S

I N YO

NAT I ONA L

FO R E S T

Cre

ek

Crowley Lake

395

168

168

168

136

395

6

Owens River

Cre

ek

Roc

k

Hilt

on

DavisLake

Hilton CreekLakes

McG

eeC

reek

RubyLake

MONOPASS

EL. 12,000

Mt. AbbotEL. 13,704

Bear CreekSpire

EL. 13,720

Mt. TomEL. 13,652

ITALYPASS

EL. 12,300

LongLake

PleasantValley

Reservoir

Creek

Rock

Lower

GO

RGE

RDRock Creek

Lakes Resort

.̂

SwallMeadows

LOWER

ROCKCREEK

RD

ParadiseEstates

ROCK

CREE

K

RDW

HE

EL

ER

CR

ES

T

TamarackLakes

.̂

.̂

.̂

.̂

.̂

.k

.p

.p

.p

.p

.p

.p

.p

.c.k

.p

.k .p

.p

.p

.p

.̂

.̂.p

Rovana

BishopCreek Lodge

Aspendell

CardinalVillage Resort

Starlight

ParchersResort

Owens ValleyRadio Observatory

White Mtn.ResearchStation

TABOOSEPASS

EL. 11,500

NorthPalisadeEL. 14,242

PINE CREEKPASS

PIUTEPASS

EL. 11,423

Mt. HumphreysEL. 13,986

BISHOPPASS

EL. 11,972

Mt. GilbertEL. 13,103

Split Mtn.EL. 14,058

Mt. PinchotEL. 13,495

Mt. WhitneyEL. 14,494

SAWMILLPASS

Mt. BaxterEL. 13,125

BAXTERPASS

EL. 12,320

KEARSARGEPASS

EL. 11,823

Mt. WilliamsonEL. 14,375

SHEPHERDPASS

WhitneyPortal

EL. 8,371

Mt. BarnardEL. 13,990

ChalfantValley

HiltonCreek

RDCREEKPINE

Pine

Cree

k

UpperMorgan

Lake

HortonLakes

PineLake

GRANITEPARK

TungstenMine

LONGLEYMEADOW

Four GablesEL. 12,691

Cre

ek

Horton

RDCHALK BLUFF

Rock CreekLodge

5Ancient

BristleconePine Forest

IzaakWaltonPark

WEST LINE ST

BishopAirport

MillpondPark

SOUTHLAKE

BishopCreek

2

ButtermilkCountry

3

ROCKCREEKLAKE

RockCreek

4

LITTLELAKES

VALLEY

CROWLEY LAKE DR.

NORTHLAKE

LAKESABRINA

.v

SCHULMANGROVE

.c PATRIARCHGROVE

.cVisitor Center

Crooked CreekLaboratory

Sierra ViewOverlook

.v

Piute Mtn.EL. 12,564

Sheep Mtn.EL. 12,497

Campito Mtn.EL. 11,543

WhiteMountain

City(site)

Deep SpringsCollege

.c

CLOSEDIN WINTER

WESTGARDPASS

EL. 7,271

Pinon

RobertsRanch

McGee

Cre

ek

LongleyLake

Basin Mtn.EL. 13,240

DUTCH JOHNSMEADOW

BlueLake

GeorgeLake

TyeeLakes

LamarckLakes

INTAKE2

DingleberryLake

MoonlightLake

EchoLake

MidnightLake

HungryPacker Lake

TreasureLakes

Sout

hFo

rk

North Fork

Mt. EmersonEL. 13,225

Birc

h

Creek

Grouse Mtn.EL. 8,067

EntranceStation

Creek

Coyote

Bishop

Creek

RockingK

Lookout Mtn.EL. 11,261

Green Lake

ChocolateLakes

LongLake Ruwau

LakeSaddlerock

Lake

Mt. AgassizEL. 13,893

MiddlePalisadeEL. 14,040

Mt. GoodeEL. 13,092

Hidden Lake

BakerLake

BlackLake

Big PineLakes

Sam MackLake

North Fo

rk Pine Creek

WillowLake

ElinoreLake Brainerd

Lake

Big Pine Creek

Little Pin

e Cre

ek

Birch

Creek

Kid Mtn.EL. 11,896

Baker

Creek

WarrenLake

Klondike Lake

KlondikeLake

RecreationArea

Zurich(site)

Edith Mendenhall Park

Creek

Raw

son

WestFo

rk

Fork

East

Round Mtn.EL. 11,188

Creek

Onion

BARL

OW

DIXON LN

BRO

CKM

AN L

N

WARM SPRINGS RD

F I V EB R I D G E S

C H A L K B L U F F

POLE

TA-L

AWS

RD

OW

EN

S

VA

LL

EY

EAST LINE POLETA RD

NORTHSIERRA HWY

Gab

le

Cre

ek

RiverOwens

WarmSprings

COLLINS RD

GER

KIN

RD

SCHOBER LN

V O L C A N I C

T A B L E L A N D

Fish

Slou

gh

FISH

SLOU

GH

RD Station PeakEL. 10,316

County Line HillEL. 11,229

Wyman

Creek

Blanco Mtn.EL. 11,278

BIGPROSPECTOR

MEADOW

SAGE HENFLAT

TRES PLUMASFLAT

COTTONWOODBASIN

Crooked

Creek

Creek

Birch

DE

EP

S

PR

I NG

S

VA

LL

EY

DeepSprings

Lake

R E E DF L A T

S I L V E R C A N Y O N

C O L D WA T E R C A N Y O N

Gunter

Creek

CreekPiute

S T R A I G H T C A N Y O N

C A NY O

N

S A C R A M E N T O

GeskesSprings

Springs

Springs

CedarSpring

GoatSpring

Beer

Creek

AntelopeSpring

BogMoundSpring

Spring

P O L E TA CA N Y O N Black

CanyonSpring

BatchelderSpring

Toll House(site)

WilkersonSprings

McMurrySpring

UhlymeyerSpring

Spring

BuckhornSprings

MontenegroSpring

Blank Mtn.EL. 9,083

CE

DA

R F

LA

T

PAY S O N C A N Y O N

R E D D I N G C A N Y O N.c

PINE

SCENIC

BYWAY

Spring

CO

YO

TE

RI D

GE

EL D

ER

BE

RR

YC

AN

YON

Red Mtn.EL. 11,472

Mt. MorganEL. 13,005

Mt. StanfordEL. 12,851

Mt. HuntingtonEL. 12,405

Mt. MillsEL. 13,451

CreekBirch

Mt. Dade

Birney

Creek

Cre

ekM

orga

n

SugarloafEL. 11,026

S A N G E R M E A D O W

H I G HM E A D O W S

GrouseSpring

Crater Mtn.EL. 6,055

FishSprings

Spring

Spring

BARTELL RD

STEWART LN

C A NY O

N

S H A N N O N

GLACIER LODGE

RD

Fish SpringsState FishHatchery

M c M U R R YM E A D O W S

MEA

DOW

S

McM

URR

YRD

FISH

SPR

ING

S R

D

CharliesButte

Springs

Spring

TinemahaLake

TinemahaCreek

Creek

Red

Mountain

RedLake

Red Mtn.EL. 5,188

Mt. BoltonBrown

EL. 13,538

The ThumbEL. 13,388

BirchLake

STECKER FLAT

Birch Mtn.EL. 13,655

Cardinal Mt.EL. 13,397

Striped Mtn.EL. 13,160

Goodale Mtn.EL. 12,790

Creek

Tabo

ose

Goodale

Creek

ARMSTRONG C

ANYON

ScottySpring

MuleSpring

Spring

H A R K L E S S F L A T

DEVILSGATE

S OL D

I ER

CA N

Y ON

SALINE

VALLEY

RD

CA N

Y ONC R O O K E D R O A D

SeeleySprings

FishingAccess

TinemahaReservoir

TABOOSE CR ABERDEENSTATION RD

RudonSpring

Black RockState FishHatchery

Mazourka PeakEL. 9,413

CREEK RD

GOODALE

Aberdeen

SAWMILLCREEK RD

CREEKRDDIVISION

CreekSawmill

SawmillLake

Mt. PerkinsEL. 12,591 D

ivis

ion

Creek

Harry BirchSprings

GroverAntonSpring

Colosseum Mtn.EL. 12,450

Thibaut

Creek

Sawmill Pt.EL. 9,416

FISHHATCHERY RD

FORT RD

MAZOURKA CANYON RD

ONION VALLEY RD

FOO

THIL

L RD

.p.p

MANZANAR REWARD RD

HOGBACK

WHITNEY

RD

MOF

FAT RANCH RD

PORTAL

RD

MO

VIE

RD

HO

RSESHO

E MEADOWS RDO

LIVA

SRA

NCH

RD

OWENYO-LONE PINE RD

OWENYO-LONE PINE RD

OLD RAILROAD GRADE

OLD RAILROAD GRADE

MAZOURKA

CANYO

NRD

WinnedumahPaiute Monument

EL. 8,369

BAD

GER FLAT

POVERTYHILLS

MA

ZO

UR

KA

CA

NY

ON

M O V I E

F L A T

MAHOGANYFLAT

GRAYSMEADOW

O N I ON

VA

LLE

Y

LITTLE ONION VALLEY

CRY

STA

LR

IDG

E

SantaRita

Spring

SANTA RITA FLAT

GordonSpring

Spring

BeeSprings

CoyoteSpring

FrenchSpring

Side HillSpring

North

CreekOak

McGannSprings

Fork

ParkerLakes

GoldenTroutLakes

Creek

OakSouth Fork

Creek

Independence

Creek

Symmes

PinyonCreek

MatlockLake

Big PotholeLake

Shep

herd

Creek

Will

iam

son

Creek

Lake Helenof Troy

NorthFork

Creek

Bairs

George

Creek

Creek

Hogback

LonePineLake

Creek

Inyo

Lone PineCreek

Diaz Lake

Ow

ensRiver

LOS

ANG

ELES

AQ

UED

UC

T

Ow

ensR

iver

Lone PineStation

Lone PinePark

Owenyo(site)

Alabama HillsRecreation Area

.c

IndependenceAirport

Lone PineAirport

Dehy Park

Kearsarge(site)

EasternCaliforniaMuseum

CampIndependence

(site)

Mt. Whitney Ranger Station

Black Mtn.EL. 13,289

Mt. BradleyEL. 13,289

UniversityPeak

EL. 13,632

Mt. KeithEL. 13,977

JunctionPeak

EL. 13,888

Mt. TyndallEL. 14,018

Mt.VersteegEL. 13,470 Trojan Peak

EL. 13,950

TunnaboraPeak

EL. 13,565

Mt. RussellEL. 14,086

TIN

EMAH

ARD

.c

REYN

OLD

S

RD

T U N G S T E N

H I L L S

TA

BL

E

MO

UN

TA

I N

Casa Diablo Mtn.EL. 7,912

SherwinSummitEL. 7,000

RoundValley Peak

EL. 11,943

SevenPinesKearsarge Peak

EL. 12,598

Diamond PeakEL. 13,126

Dragon PeakEL. 12,995

Mt. JohnsonEL. 12,868

Mt. PowellEL. 13,356

Mt. DarwinEL. 13,830

BIRCHIM CYN

MILL CK RD

395

OW

EN

SR

I VE

RG

OR

GE

CityPark

1Bishop

TH

OM

PS

ON

R

IDG

E

PALISADEGLACIER

NORMAN CLYDEGLACIER MIDDLE

PALISADEGLACIER

BIG

PINE

CA

NA

L

TUTTLE

C

REEK

R

D

Creek

Tuttle

MosquitoFlat

.z

ED P

OW

ERS

RD

SO ROUND VALLEY RD

.z

WESTGARD PASS

RD

BRISTLECONE

ANCIENT

NATION

AL

.

.p

.c

.̂

Paved Roads and Highways

Unpaved Roads

Hiking Trails

Wilderness Boundary

National Park Boundary

Gate

Locked Gate

Ranger Station

Picnic Area

Trailhead Parking

Wildlife Viewpoint

Pack Station

Boat Launching Ramp

Point of Interest

Eastern SierraScenic Byway Kiosk

Mine or Quarry

Golf Course

.k

.z

v

SCALE IN MILES0 5

Bishop Area Chamberof Commerce and

VISITORS BUREAU

White Mtn.RangerStation

Lake SabrinaBoat Landing

L E G E N D

Weir Lake

To W

hite

Mou

ntai

n Pe

ak »

21 3 4

To Death Valley »

.hCreeksideRV Park

LONE PINE NARROW GAUGE RD

Cerro CosoCommunity

College

BishopCountry

Club

Paiute PalaceCasino

Beverly & Jim RogersMuseum of Lone Pine Film History

www.TheOtherSideOfCalifornia.com

Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau888-395-3952

690 N. Main Street, Bishop, CA 93514 • 760-873-8405www.BishopVisitor.com

Bishop Creek Canyon's Intake Two Reservoir

©19

99 JI

M S

TRO

UP

Horseback riding at North Lake

©19

99 JA

NE

DO

VE

JUN

EAU

/ B

ACC

VB

Wild iris in Round Valley, below Mt. Tom

©19

99 L

ON

DIE

G. P

AD

ELSK

Y

Indian Paintbrush

©19

99 L

ON

DIE

G. P

AD

ELSK

Y

Ancient Bristlecone Pine

©19

99 JO

HN

DIT

TLI

Engine #9 at Laws Railroad Museum and Depot

The story of the Eastern Sierra is a story of treasure seekers—lonely prospectors

plodding the mountainsides in the late 1800s looking for that lucky strike, ranchers driving their cattle up the Owens Valley to rich grazing land, and early 20th-century developers drawing upon a wealthof water resources sent fl owing down a mighty aqueduct to Southern California. Today’s visitors take advantage of a new sort of treasure hunt, one in which a vast array of natural wonders lie waiting to be discovered.

The Eastern Sierra is an abrupt wall reaching two miles above the fl oor of Owens Valley, encompassing everything from desert scrub and alkali springs to lush alpine meadows and jagged mountain summits dotted with glacial ice. Whether you fi nd yourself admiring a delicate desert wildfl ower, stopping to watch a herd of deer or surprising upon a sparkling lake along a trail, there’s something new at every turn, more riches to discover with each visit.

Plan on a full day for traveling into the White Mountains to see the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, a hauntingly beautiful and barren landscape dotted with the oldest and most pictur-esque trees on earth. This trip takes you to a

million-dollar view across Owens Valley to the Sierra crest, past two groves of ancient and wildly sculpted bristlecone pines, and on to a gate and turnaround fi ve miles south of White Mountain Peak’s sky-high summit (14,246 feet). There are no services available in the White Mountains, so be sure to have enough fuel in your car, a warm jacket, and food and beverages for the day.

To reach the White Mountains from Bishop, take U.S. 395 south 15 miles to Big Pine and turn left (east) on Hwy. 168 toward Westgard Pass. Stay on Hwy. 168 for 13 miles, then turn left onto the Ancient Bristlecone Pine National Scenic Byway. Eight miles up the road, you come to Sierra View Overlook, one of those stops you won’t want to miss. A short path around a knobby hill next to the parking lot brings you to an observation point with an extraordinary view, encompassing over 100 miles of the Sierra range, from Mount Whitney to Yosemite National Park.

It’s another two miles to Schulman Grove, the fi rst of two main bristlecone pine areas in the White Mountains. Schulman Grove is home to the world’s oldest known specimens of bristlecone pine, with trees boasting ages well above 4,000 years. The grove features a visitor center, picnic area, ranger talks and two self-guided interpretive trails—the mile-long Discovery Trail and the 4.5-mile Methuselah Trail Loop. Both trails lead you through a barren, moonlike landscape that is home to these ancient, gnarled pines. The secret to the bristlecone’s longevityis its adaptation to this unique environment—the ability to survive with only a short growing season each year, a pattern of slow growth amounting to only an inch in diameter every 100 years, and a root system that anchors it tenaciously to dry, rocky slopes where it is exposed to high winds and freezing temperatures much of the year.

From Schulman Grove, continue on a dirt road another 11 miles to Patriarch Grove, where you’ll fi nd the most picturesque trees. Among them is the Patriarch, the largest known bristlecone pine, measuring more than 36 feet around.

The road ends about 4.5 miles north of Patriarch Grove at a locked gate. The summit of White Mountain Peak—the third-highest mountain in California—lies 5 miles beyond the gate, a very strenuous hike at this elevation, even for those in excellent physical condition.

Trout fishing along the Owens River

Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery

Mt. Whitney and Lone Pine Peak tower over the Alabama Hills

Bishop Creek

Lake Sabrina, Bishop Creek Canyon

©19

99 JI

M S

TRO

UP

©19

99 JI

M S

TRO

UP

©19

99 L

ON

DIE

G. P

AD

ELSK

Y

©19

99 JO

HN

DIT

TLI

©19

99 JA

NE

DO

VE

JUN

EAU

/BAC

CV

B

©19

99 JO

HN

DIT

TLI

©19

99 JI

M S

TRO

UP

Bishop Creek Canyon lies about 15 miles west of Bishop, and nowhere along the Eastern Sierra do auto travelers get a better sense of the vastness—both the height and length—of this mountain

chain. Three main drainages of Bishop Creek—the North, Middle and South forks—combine to create a wide-ranging complex of streams and canyons that together comprise Bishop Creek Canyon. Driving up any of the three routes, travelers come up against the impassable ramparts of the High Sierra, and it’s no stretch to imagine the physical and psychological barrier these mountains presented to early Californiasettlers arriving by covered wagon. But yesterday’s challenges are today’s treasures, and the wilderness areas of the Sierra Nevada are of inestimable value in the modern world.

Bishop Creek Canyon is located up Hwy. 168, which begins as West Line Street in downtown Bishop. The climb of over 5,000 feet is gradual over the 18-mile drive into the mountains. As you ascend along the banks of Bishop Creek, you might notice several electric powerhouses on the way; whatever wealth the area brings us in natural wonders is mirrored by the value of electric power generated here since the beginning of the 20th century. You can go fi shing and take a walk around one of these stations, Intake 2, located 16 miles up the highway, just past the fork that heads left to South Lake.

South Lake, the highest and largest reservoir in the Bishop Creek system, is set like a sapphire deep in a glacial basin about six miles fromthe junction with Hwy. 168. Surrounded by granite peaks and jagged ridges, the lake invites you to stay awhile, enjoying the mountain sceneryand a boat ride out to the island. South Lake is also the location of a majortrailhead for backpackers traveling over Bishop Pass (5.5 miles, 11,972 feet) deep into the wilderness. You can also day-hike the Bishop Pass trail up to Long Lake, or loop around Chocolate Lakes. If you don’t feellike hiking, it’s great to picnic at the trailhead tables and take in the view.

The South Fork of Bishop Creek Canyon has more to offer than thelake at road’s end. You can fi sh and hike along the creek, camp, exploreside trails, check out the waterfall across from Bishop Creek Lodge, and enjoy horseback riding from the pack station. Sit a spell at either Bishop Creek Lodge, Creekside RV Park or Parchers Resort, all of which offer a restaurant and cabin rentals. A favorite trail along the creek takes you from Willow Campground to Parchers, with plenty of great picnic areas and fi shing spots along the way. Fly fi shermen especially prize Weir Lake, not far from the road’s end. The canyon is a real fi nd in autumn, with blazing fall color igniting the landscape.

The road to Lake Sabrina, heading straight at the fork to South Lake, continues west about three miles along the Middle Fork of Bishop Creek. Just above the fork, it passes the old Cardinal Mine, touted as the World’s Greatest Gold Mine after it was opened by millionaire Gaylord Wilshire in 1906. While the Cardinal never lived up to the boast, it did yield over $1.5 million in gold during the 1930s.

Ruins of the mine are still clearly visible, but for years now, the Cardinal Resort has operated in place of the old mine, even utilizing some of the original mining cabins for lodging.

Another reservoir created to harness hydroelectric power along Bishop Creek, Lake Sabrina is dwarfed by an amphitheater of glacier-dotted spires. Along with boating and fi shing at the lake, you can hike up several fairly steep trails that access Emerald Lakes, Blue Lake and countless smaller lakes. For a relaxing day, have lunch at the Lake Sabrina Boat Landing Café and take a leisurely walk along the shore. A nearby pond and the meandering waters of Bishop Creek are great spots to fi nd a priceless fi shing hole.

North Lake, off in its own private corner of the Sierra, is reached by a narrow, winding, one-lane road. Not suitable for trailers or RVs, the road heads right from Hwy. 168 just before Lake Sabrina. The view from the road is spectacular, with vistas from Owens Valley to the White Mountains. In April and May, snow may prevent auto travel altogether up the road, providing an opportunity for a scenic two-mile walk to North Lake—a splendid time to see the waterfall below North Lake at its fullest and catch some great early-season fi shing.

There are no stores or resorts at North Lake, which keeps things quiet even in the height of the summer season. A pack station offers day rides and extended pack trips into the high country, and a small camp-ground serves fi shermen and backpackers. If you want to stretch your legs,there is a marvelous wildfl ower walk around the back of the campground at the beginning of the Lamarck Lakes trail. In midsummer, this just mightbe the greatest show of easy-to-reach wildfl owers this side of the crest.

The largest town in the Eastern Sierra, Bishop is well known by vacationers as a place to stock up on information and supplies for fi shing and

camping getaways, rock climbs, ski weekends, bike rides and fi eld trips.Named for rancher Samuel Bishop, the town dates back to the 1860s, when the Owens Valley was being discovered by cattlemen and miners.Today, Bishop retains an old-fashioned charm while providing a host of services and destinations, including visitor centers, museums, outdoor outfi tters, guide services, an airport, gift shops and restaurants. On warm summer nights, a peaceful stroll around town, maybe stopping for ice cream and an evening concert in the park, brings back treasured memories from a not-so-distant past.

Central Bishop, with its quaint old-style architecture and dramatic mountain backdrop, is home to dozensof shops and services, all within walking distance of one another along Main Street (U.S. 395) or a few steps down a side street. A recent addition to the town is a series of colorful murals depicting the area’s Western tradition. Located right downtown, the White Mountain Ranger Station and nearby Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau are useful resources for trip ideas, lodging information and books and brochures of local interest. Bishop City Park is a great place to relax and let the kids run around to their hearts’ content. A stream, duck pond, playground, tennis courts, broad lawns and public swimming pool all invite you to kick back. Across Main Street, the famed Erick Schat’s Bakkery serves up pastries, sandwiches and fresh-baked breads worth their weight in gold. Continuing north on U.S. 395, Meadow Farms Country Smokehouse offers world famous mahogany smoked meats and jerky.

Bishop City Park

For great year-round fi shing or a fun family outing, head north eight miles on U.S. 395 to the Pleasant Valley Reservoir turnoff, and then loop back toward Bishop following Chalk Bluff Road (dirt). Here, the Owens River winds lazily, its lush banks shading many a favorite fi shing hole. Continue along Chalk Bluff Road to Five Bridges Road and Hwy. 6, then head south back to Bishop.

Laws Railroad Museum—a fascinating destination for railroad buffs,families and anyone interested in Old West ranching history—is located four miles north of Bishop on Hwy. 6. The site of the original Bishop Station,Laws grew up around the depot for the Carson and Colorado narrow gauge railroad, which ran from Owens Lake to Nevada in the 1880s.

The museum, open daily, brings the old days to life with its steam Engine #9, engine house and a number of historic build- ings, including homes, a newspaper offi ce, a dentist offi ce and farm buildings packed with treasures from a century ago.

©19

99 JI

M S

TRO

UP

Bishop Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau

©19

99 JI

M S

TRO

UP

as they perch grandly on the hillside, each taking on a personality of its own.Across the road from the boulders, a narrow meadow meets the

rocky base of Grouse Mountain, skirted by a brisk little creek. The main gravel road follows the creek’s course a short distance around the north side of the solitary mountain before dwindling to a more diffi cult and narrow track. For low-clearance vehicles, this is a good place to turn around. It’s also a good spot to walk up the creek a ways to a surprising little waterfall, another gem of a spot to picnic and explore.

If you have extra time, you can walk up the track and around to the west side of Grouse Mountain. The meadows here are now a deer preserve, and faint roads throughout the basin provide good walking

trails. This is a gorgeous spot; you’re high enough now to fi nd aspen groves and stands of Jeffrey pine along the fl anks of Grouse Mountain, and never absent is the jaw-dropping vista across the rising plain to Basin Mountain and Mount Tom.

The narrow, rutted road swings west across this vast, high meadow, and there are two extended trips in this direction—a hike up to Horton Lake or a loop trip (four-wheel-drive only) around the basin and back to Hwy. 168. Most visitors, however, just plan on returning down Buttermilk Road the way they came, treasuring the free feeling of wide open spaces and a vista of Owens Valley and lofty White Mountains on their way back to Bishop—a fi tting fi nale to a day worth remembering.Buttermilk Boulders

©19

99 JA

NE

DO

VE

JUN

EAU

/BAC

CV

B

©2012 Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau / Design, illustration and cartography by Laura Patterson Design / Copywriting by Sue Irwin / All rights reserved

If you’re seeking pristine mountain lakes and an easy walk through the high country, don’t miss out on the loop trip to Rock Creek Canyon. A quiet destination for cross-country skiers during the

winter months, Rock Creek Canyon is a beehive of activity in summer, a place treasured by many repeat visitors. Fall is a favorite time to visit the canyon, which is ablaze with gold, red and orange aspen groves.

Drive north from Bishop on U.S. 395 for about 25 miles to the Tom’s Place turnoff (left). Tom’s Place itself is well worth a stop for food or refreshments in a genuine old-time setting with lots of local fl avor. Continuing up the canyon road, you wind through the “narrow,” fl anked by steep mountainsides that channel the waters of Rock Creek, which tumbles noisily down the granite boulders from the winter snowfi elds high above. The winding road takes you past several campgrounds on its 10-mile course up the canyon, which widens near East Fork Campground. Here the creek slows into eddies perfect for trout fi shing, and the road offers a dynamic glimpse of Sierra peaks ahead.

About two miles above East Fork is the entrance to Rock Creek Lodge, offering cabin rentals, a store, gear rentals and food service. Just beyond Rock Creek Lodge, the canyon broadens into a beautiful meadow with a gem of a trail—great for families and wildfl ower enthusiasts.

Rock Creek Lake, eight miles up the road from Tom’s Place, is a showy introduction to upper Rock Creek Canyon and Little Lakes Valley two miles beyond. The deep sapphire lake is a trout fi shing paradise, knownfor its huge fi sh and relaxed campgrounds. There’s great picnicking near the creek inlet by the main parking lot, and an easy trail leads around the “back” of the lake from here. A trip to Rock Creek wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Rock Creek Lakes Resort, well-known for its boat rentals, comfortable cabins, cozy dining counter and, best of all, delicious homemade pie. Above the lake,

Little Lakes Valley, Rock Creek Canyon

Monument at Manzanar Cemetery

©19

99 JO

HN

DIT

TLI

Every stop on your tour of discovery offers something for both families and the solitary visitor—kids and adults alike love exploring desert rock formations

and ambling along a tumbling creek or lakeshore, looking for the fl ash of a trout, the sparkle of gold beneath the water. The treasures change with the seasons, a rainbow of summer wildfl owers giving way to the rustling of golden autumn leaves, a rare summer shower unlocking the heady fragrance of sage in the valley fl oor, a winter’s storm leaving a dazzling hush of snow.

The natural treasures of the Eastern Sierra are complemented by an array of fi ne museums, where you can relive the mining and ranching era and learn about the native Paiute peoples and how they adapted to the varied Eastern Sierra environment. Visitor centers and shops offer a wealth of local guidebooks to help you choose your next route of exploration, whether you’re searching for bighorn sheep, the best fall color or that special fi shing hole.

Commander’s House in Independence

the main road climbs past a pack station and ends at Mosquito Flat, the trailhead for hikers and backpackers entering Little Lakes Valley, part of the John Muir Wilderness. Mosquito Flat is a fun place for kids and grown-ups alike to dabble in the creek, which meanders through a narrow, grassy meadow adjacent to the parking lot and restrooms. Those looking for a dramatic but easy hike in the High Sierra need look no farther. The main trail from Mosquito Flat wanders up the canyon past a string of mountain lakes, each rivaling the last for beauty and

views. The trail is rarely steep,but the elevation of over 10,000 feet can be demanding.Returning to Bishop, headdown to Tom’s Place and begin driving south on U.S. 395. Within less than amile, turn right on LowerRock Creek Road (the old highway). This route followsthe course of Lower Rock Creek through stands of aspens studded with gigantic Jeffrey pine. A delightful trail follows the creek heretoo, a favorite route for mountain bikers. Turnoutsallow room for a few cars to park along this section

of the creek, also well-valued by trout fi shermen. After two miles or so, the road steeply climbs the side of the canyon above Rock Creek Gorge, a wild and steep cut through volcanic rock deposits. Above the gorge, you top out and begin a winding descent to scenic Round Valley. Sporting deep green meadows studded with wild iris and giant cottonwood trees, Round Valley sits peacefully below Wheeler Crest and Mount Tom, one of the richest and most dramatically situated ranching areas of the Eastern Sierra.

A favorite half- or full-day excursion from Bishop is a visit to the Buttermilk Country, a rising upland of meadows and boulder fi elds situated beneath impressive Mount Tom and Basin

Mountain. Named for the dairy farms that once drew stagecoach travelers for a refreshing drink of buttermilk and a break from their dusty travels, Buttermilk Country is now best known for recreational opportunities provided by “the Buttermilk,” a diverse population of weathered granite formations and giant, solitary boulders just perfect forexploring and climbing. You can relax for hours in the boulders’ warmthin spring or fall, or relish their shade during hotter summer days.

From Bishop, drive toward the Sierra on Hwy. 168 for about seven miles, then turn right on Buttermilk Road, a wide, well-graded dirt and gravel road that runs due west for about four miles. Within the fi rst mile, the road skirts around the south end of the dry, stony Tungsten Hills, where several old mines are located on the north side of Buttermilk Road. The barren-looking hills soon give way to a lush strip of Longley Meadow, and sizeable boulders begin to dot the landscape on the right. You can stop and play in the rocks at any point, but the biggest boulders and outcrops are about three miles up the road from the highway—and you can’t miss them. These boulders seem to survey the countryside

Manzanar National Historic Site. Here, over 11,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry were interned during World War II.

Lone Pine, 60 miles south of Bishop, is the farthest destination on this Owens Valley tour. This is the gateway to Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the “lower 48,” at 14,494 feet.

The Alabama Hills are situated west of Lone Pine off Whitney Portal Road, which continues another 10 miles past the Alabama Hills to the trailhead

for Mount Whitney. The easiest area to explore is along Movie Road (dirt), which leads off to the right (north) about three miles west of town. Ambling among formations of weathered, golden granite, it’s easy to see why these dry hills and boulders, backed by the snowy Sierra, have attracted movie crews since the fi lm industry’s earliest days. Kids like to scramble around on the rocks and hunt for lizards and horned toads, imagining a bandido hiding behind every boulder. Be sure to visit the Beverly & Jim Rogers Museum of Lone Pine Film History on U.S. 395. Depending on your inclination, you can return to Lone Pine and U.S. 395 the way you came into the Alabama Hills, or you can continue six miles along Movie Road and Moffatt Ranch Road to the junction with U.S. 395 just south of Manzanar.

U.S. 395 stretches 60 miles between Bishop and Lone Pine to the south, passing through Big Pine and Independence on the way. This is the heart of Owens Valley, still prime ranching and grazing land as it has been for over a century. The meandering,tree-lined Owens River runs from Bishop to Lone Pine, and can be reached in a number of locations by driving east from U.S. 395. The river here is open

for fi shing year round, and it’s a good place to cool your heels on a warm summer day.

An unusually fun stop just eight miles south of Bishop is Keough’s Hot Springs. This historic retreat has recently undergone a revival as a public swimming and hot springs resort.

The town of Big Pine is located 15 miles south of Bishop, serving as a jumping off point for hiking, camping and fi shing in Big Pine Canyon to the west and the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains to the east. Heading south from Big Pine, you soon come upon Tinemaha Reservoir and the Wildlife View Area for Owens Valley’s tule elk herd. A species that was nearly extinct in the 1870s, about 500 tule elk live here in Owens Valley, where they were fi rst introduced in the 1930s.

Continuing south, it’s time for a refreshing break at the historic Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery, just two miles north of Independence. It’s defi nitely worth a stop to see the hatchery’s landmark Tudor mansion, which dates back to 1917. The graceful structure, oddly at ease in the desert, is surrounded with immaculate lawns and towering shade trees, just right for a picnic.

The next stop is the town of Independence, peppered with historic homes of gracious design. You can take a walking tour through Independence, stopping by the Commander’s House, a structure built in 1872 (open to the public on weekends during summer). Built in 1863, the Edwards House at 124 Market Street is the oldest building in Owens Valley, and the Mary Austin House, 253

Market Street, is where famed author Mary Austin wrote her fi rst book, “Land of Little Rain” (1903), a classic in desert literature.

The Eastern California Museum, located in Independence at the intersection of Center and Grant streets, three blocks west of U.S. 395, is a delightful surprise, jam-packed with more than a century of local memorabilia exhibited side by side with displays featuring local wildlife,fl owers and minerals. The fi nds here range from Native American basketry, arrowheads and petroglyphs to mining implements, ranching memorabilia and an intriguing collection of photographs and items from the 1940s Japanese Relocation Camp at Manzanar.

Leaving Independence and heading toward Lone Pine, you’ll come to

©20

10 C

RA

IG C

AN

NO

N