Updated 9-18-2023 Fall is in the air as temperatures are starting to drop. Streams, rivers and creeks are receding to levels that are safe to fly fish. Waters are clearing and the trout are taking nymphs and dries Lakes are at their fullest with some Eastern Sierra lakes spilling over the lakes dams. Fly fishers on the lakes that are exploring the newly rewatered areas are finding trout willing to take streamers, midge nymphs, and dry flies. Backcountry waters are accessible and brook trout, golden trout, brown trout and rainbow trout are feeding on nymphs and dries. Fish reports from Bishop Creek Canyon by Parchers Resort and Owens River and Hot Creek by Sierra Brightdot plus road access by LADWP.
By: Jeff Kozak The author runs near the rounded summit of Mazourka Peak in the Inyo Mountains, looking west across the Owens Valley near Independence to the Sierra Crest and two 14’ers: Mt. Williamson and Mt. Tyndall. Howie Stern Rising abruptly on the western...
Family vacations are about relaxing as well as creating memories of fun times. When it comes to a destination to visit, there might be none more suited for an affordable outdoorsy family getaway than Bishop and its big backyard. To help plan your trip, here’s 6 things...
Deep in its core is Bishop, a place that rejuvenates the soul, that inspires visitors and residents alike to enrich themselves holistically and creatively. As the sunsets over the sharp razorback line of the Eastern Sierra, let these yoga studios and artistic outlets round out an already fulfilling trip.
Horseback riding in Bishop and its big backyard isn’t just a hobby. It’s a tradition. To this day, the only way to access many parts of the rugged Eastern Sierra is by foot or horseback. That’s why Bishop has earned the moniker the “Mule Capital of the World.” While...
Updated 4/6/2023 The Owens River Gorge is Opening Friday, April 7th!! Buttermilk Rd. and Chalk Bluff Rd. are currently closed to motorists.
Tucked in a quiet section of Owens Valley you’ll find the Alabama Hills. Although close to the mighty Sierra to the west this locale doesn’t share any resemblance of the tall peaks. Instead, you’ll find a landscape with arches, rounded rocks, and eroded hills that looks otherworldly. It’s no wonder they’ve been featured in hundreds of films over the years.
Bishop in winter offers the perfect family getaway. Get out of the big city and into the mountains where the snowy peaks rise up on either side of this broad, beautiful valley. The nights are chilly, the days are often warm, the air is clear and crisp, and our big backyard is a natural playground. We’ve created a suggested 5-Day adventure itinerary so you don’t need to figure it out. Just follow the links in this blog and make your bookings for your 5 days of fun.
Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love. Especially the love shared with a cherished partner. It’s a day to set aside time to spend with your partner and indulge a little, or a lot, in things that make you both happy. Bishop offers a unique experience for locals and visitors from near and far a chance to reconnect. It’s a wintertime playground for lovers of all ages and abilities to connect, not only with each other, but with nature. We’ve put together a Valentine’s Day itinerary for leisurely lovers and amorous adventurers of food, activity, relaxation, and gift giving. Take a look. You’ll love it!
Fishing knots are created and used everyday by many anglers worldwide. There is a variety of fishing knots, each has a different role, from attaching a line to a hook or swivel, attaching a line to a lure, to connecting and joining lines. If you have the right fishing...
Maybe because it’s situated within a hundred miles of the highest AND lowest points in the contiguous points. Or that Bishop is in one of the least populated counties in the Golden State. For whatever reason, Bishop has one-of-a kind attractions that most zip by. Take a tour of the giant telescopes from the movie Arrival at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory. Learn about a chapter in the nation’s history unknown by many at the Manzanar National Historic Site. See the natural phenomena of the “sailing stones” in Death Valley that kept scientists baffled until 2014.
Out of anywhere in the world, Bishop might be the epicenter of soaking up all the seasons’ offerings to the fullest. The changing of the seasons isn’t a short bang like most other places. Rather, it’s like a well-orchestrated symphony. Starting slowly and lasting for months with a crescendo. The spring wildflower bloom starts in February and lasts until July. Similar to spring’s slow opening, fall foliage begins in early September and finishes in November.
Do you remember “Choose Your Own Adventure” books? That’s what visiting Bishop is like in the winter. You are the leading character. And the choices you make in the morning and throughout the day will determine what kind of fun you’ll have and the outcome. From...
While Bishop sits at around 4,500 feet above sea level and rarely gets snowfall, it is surrounded by mountains on both sides. Even if you’re staying in town mid-summer, it’s a good idea to take a quick peek and see what’s going on up high. For a full list of webcams…
Located only 45 minutes “up the hill” from Bishop, California, Mammoth Lakes is home to Mammoth Mountain and surrounded by the Eastern Sierra wilderness that Ansel Adams made famous. After four weeks of public voting, Mammoth Lakes came out on top, named the “Best Ski Town” of 2022.
Bishop is an all-season wonderland. Each season has its own special look and feel that brings joy and offers experiences like nowhere else on earth. And winter … winter is a true, classic wonderland! Our town is warm and welcoming and our big backyard is wild and exciting.
Stop in Bishop. Stay in Bishop. Play in Bishop and in our big backyard.
Photo: Michael WhiteWinter in the Eastern Sierra is wild and wonderful and always unpredictable. The region is well-known worldwide, as a premier hiking destination. The Pacific Crest Trail, the John Muir Trail and the hike up to the highest point on the continental...
Thanksgiving weekend is a wonderful time to start a winter road biking regimen. After the helpings of good food and time indoors with family and friends the first ride of the holidays will begin to work off the excess and exhilarate the body and mind.Research has...
Death Valley is one of the most unique and beautiful places in all of America. This park blew us away as each area felt like a completely different world from the last. Making it in our opinion, one of most underrated parks in all of the US, and one you need to have on your bucket list.
There are places etched into your memory forever. That are different. Special. Unlike anywhere else you visit. I still remember the first time I laid my eyes on the moonscape known as Death Valley. It didn’t look like it belonged on Earth. Even as a young kid and...
No matter how you look at it, fall is a transitory season. It’s where summer finally concedes, and winter hasn’t won just yet. A battle of wills climate-wise. Animals become restless and birds have begun their migration to warmer climates. If you love nature, this is...
This time of year, especially around the holidays, it can be stressful and even hectic as you prepare for Santa’s big day. Why not combine the joyful spirit of the holiday season with a short break to Bishop’s big backyard. Your family will come home with a...
The Tungsten Hills sit directly beneath the Sierra skyline towering above Bishop. The rocky mounds are webbed with trails and OHV roads. With plenty of options, it’s a playground for winter trail running. This Tungsten City Loop is a 4 mile run that gets you close to the big mountains with no shortage of additional miles if you desire a longer run.
Have you ever wondered where the giant radio telescopes in the 1996 movie The Arrival are located? Well, it’s HERE in Bishop’s Big Backyard at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory or OVRO for short. It’s also where Jodie Foster’s character Dr. Eleanor...
