The Bishop Blog
Plan a long weekend getaway with our Bishop adventure blog, featuring outdoor escapes off the beaten path, where to stay, and where to eat. We’re delighted that you’re interested in finding out about Bishop and our big backyard. This is a great place to learn about and plan for future trips to the many great destinations around the world. Bishop, nestled in the heart of the Eastern Sierra, is certainly one of the most beautiful outdoor recreation areas in California and the USA. We are also a gateway community to Death Valley National Park and Yosemite National Park, two of the most magnificent destinations in the world. Our regular guests tell us that they visit as often as possible. Sometimes they return to favorite places and other times they explore new spots. Our local residents are pleased and proud that we have so much space and beauty to share. PICK YOUR PATH >>
Summertime Fun in a Wintertime Wonderland
Oh yeah, it’s cold out there. Snow has fallen. Ski season has started. You’ve packed your bags and you’re all geared up for a winter experience. But have you considered that you could experience a little summer with your winter? No. Well consider this … you can! Right...
It’s a Wonderful Life in Bishop during the Holidays
“Then it seemed to me that the Sierra should be called, not the Nevada or Snowy Range, but the Range of Light. And after ten years of wandering and wondering in the heart of it, rejoicing in its glorious floods of light, the white beams of the morning streaming...
The Railroad Express
Intro This is the train ride of the year. In fact it’s a magical train ride into yesteryear and it only happens once every year. Do you believe in holiday magic and that wishes really do come true? Well then get your Golden Ticket and receive a happy holiday bell when...
The Reluctant Highballer
My favorite highball of all times is in the Buttermilks in Bishop, CA. It’s a classic. A perfect set of moves. My hands sweat just thinking about it. I keep telling myself, with the pads we have it’s going to be ok, even with the big dyno at the end. What is a...
Hiking with dogs in the Eastern Sierra
One of the best things about living in and visiting the eastern Sierra are the thousands of acres of public land available for recreating. These mountains, valleys, and tablelands allow us incredible freedom in the ways we can visit them, including bringing our dogs...
Guide to Fall Color Spotting from Behind the Lens
Outside on the Eastside Fall is long in the Eastern Sierra. The topography of the region provides a slow shift into winter that starts first at the higher elevations and descends slowly over the open plains of the Owens Valley below. The cooling begins in September as...
How to Beat the Heat in Bishop
It’s not unusual for temperatures to climb to and over the 100-degree mark during the summer months in Bishop. And, yes, there’s that wonderful and oft-repeated phrase, “But it’s a dry heat.” Well, that’s true and it does make it a little more bearable, but for those...
5 Reasons to Rest, Refuel, & Regroup in Bishop
Photo: Madi Taylor “Miles weren't things that blazed dully past. They were long, intimate straggles of weeds and clumps of dirt, blades of grass and flowers that bent in the wind, trees that lumbered and screeched. They were the sound of my breath and my feet hitting...
The Night Sky in the Eastern Sierra
Ancient Bristlecone Pine & Milky Way. Photo: Tony Rowell Intro The night sky has captured the human imagination from time immemorial. Here in the Eastern Sierra the clear air and lack of light pollution make way for unimpeded visibility of the stars. On a night...
Camping Successfully With Kids
Have your kids outgrown camping in your backyard? Bring them for a camping vacation in our big backyard. Here in the Eastern Sierra, Bishop has many wonderful options for camping that offer the gamut from full hookups to dispersed camping. Camping is a great way to...
Laws Poleta Area
Intro At the base of the White Mountains, 5 miles east of the center of Bishop, is an exceptional off-road motorcycling and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) area. The Poleta Open Area, covering 2,500 acres, consists of about 50 miles of single-track and ATV trails...
Sierra Bighorns on Ledge of Breakthrough
Written by Tom Stienstra From a perch above a boulder-strewn ravine, we peered with binoculars up canyon walls and across a steep jumble of rocks and dirt for endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep. The arrival of spring in the high country is when Sierra bighorns...
Small Town, Big Backyard: 6 Reasons Why Bishop is a Must-Visit Destination for Outdoor Lovers
Bishop, California is in what is arguably one of the most beautiful pockets of land in the Lower 48. It’s no wonder that the town is known as a "small town with a big backyard." Between the Sierra and Inyo National Forests, just south of Yosemite and north of Death...
The Alabama Hills – A Quick Guide
Intro The Alabama Hills, nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada just west of Lone Pine, is one of Hollywood’s favorite filming locations. This monumental landscape provides a multitude of settings for movie backgrounds and evocative scenes. The beautiful rock...
Made in Bishop
The old world charm and quiet, country setting of Bishop belies its bold business heart. There are, living here, brave explorers and daring entrepreneurs who are making products and building businesses inspired by the mountains and a lifestyle of clean air, beautiful...
Volcanic Tableland Loop – Trail Running
IntroAround 700,000 years ago, the Volcanic Tablelands were formed from the erupting caldera in Long Valley. Near the small California town of Bishop, the Volcanic Tableland has become known around the rock climbing world as one of the more awesome spots to explore....
Happy and Sad Boulders – Climbing
Intro The Happy and Sad Boulders offer hundreds of boulder problems that will delight and challenge climbers who come to Bishop to test their skills. With everything from jugs to crimps to pockets, you can find just about anything here. There are caves and cracks, and...
8 Incredible Adventures Between Death Valley and Yosemite National Parks
The small town of Bishop, California is nestled in the northern end of the Owens Valley, where the high desert meets rushing creeks and pine forests—all with the snow-capped Sierra Mountains in the background. Bishop is also located just hours away from two of the...
Owens Gorge
Intro The Owens Gorge is a deep, steep-sided canyon about 10 miles long located northwest of Bishop. It is a world-class destination for rock climbing and a favorite fishing area. The gorge offers fun and adventure all year long for climbers, anglers and hikers. About...
Mule Days
A world-class equestrian event promoting the legacy, heritage and talents of the mule. Intro For five days, every Memorial Day weekend, more than 30,000 fans from around the country (and the world) converge on Bishop for this colorful and fun festival. It is a...
Tungsten Peak – Hiking
Intro The beautiful Tungsten Hills are easy to overlook because of the surrounding peaks that dwarf them in size, such as Mt. Tom and the Wheeler Crest. They are a year round delight for those looking to take a quick jaunt in nature, however. It’s easy to get caught...
Buttermilk Country – Year Round Playground
Intro Buttermilk Country is a well-known, world-class bouldering destination. The massive boulders provide some of the most accessible and diverse bouldering in the country with routes that offer everything from fun scrambling to highly technical ‘problems’ that...
Must Do Trail Runs in the Eastern Sierra
Trail running and mountain running are not new to the world of running, but are becoming more popular as a way to enjoy the natural world around us and, at the same time, achieve fitness goals. Running on trails and in areas removed from urban life, where traffic and...
Owens River Gorge – Climbing
Intro The Owens River Gorge is a massive collection of some of the finest sport climbing that California has to offer. With over 300 routes ranging from 5.6 to 5.13, this crag has something for everyone. The rock in the Owens River Gorge is a type of volcanic tuff...
Bishop to Rock Creek – Cycling
Intro This bucket list climb is one of the most challenging, but rewarding efforts, a serious cyclist can tackle—there’s a reason this ride is considered one of the best in the area. The major steep, sharp climb takes place on the second half of the route, but the...
Grass Lake Loop – Trail Running
Intro In the Inyo National Forest, one trail is quietly becoming a great training run for trail runners in the greater Bishop Area. Known as the Grass Lake Loop, this 5k running route is the ideal loop for training or just a relaxing jaunt into the gorgeous John Muir...
Bishop Pass – Hiking
Intro The popular (and sometimes busy) trail to Bishop Pass is steep and slightly rocky, making it more enjoyable for seasoned hikers. The second half of the ascent to the pass is where the real challenge begins (especially if there is still snow hanging around), but...
Winter Fly Fishing in Bishop, CA on the lower Owens River
Best Fly Fishing in California! November 15 is a sad day in the life of an Eastern Sierra trout angler. It is the last day of the general fishing season. Fortunately, there are a handful of special regulated waters that offer winter fishing opportunities in the off...
Lower Owens River – Fishing
Intro Located below Pleasant Valley Reservoir and just north of Bishop, the Lower Owens River parallels Highway 395, making it easily accessible and a perfect spot for winter fly fishing. The river makes its way through a valley surrounded by the striking peaks of the...
Bishop Adds Up To More Fun This Winter
Where do crisp, snowy mountain mornings and sunny, warm high desert afternoons add up to the perfect winter experience? In Bishop, of course! Follow freshies at Mammoth Mountain with afternoon fishing on the Lower Owens River. Add a vertical component to your morning...
Whip it, Strip it, Fly it, Tie it.
How could I resist? Scrolling down the list of workshops, clinics and seminars for the Southwest Council of International Fly Fishers annual Fly Fishing Faire last October, the name of one clinic stopped me in my tracks. A whole day of fly fishing for women, by women,...
London. Paris. New York. Bishop.
During the last century the major urban centers of the world were traditionally hubs for creativity where low-cost urban living and compact communities were places where artists could live inexpensively and create art. The lifestyle was such that artists could gather...
6½ Reasons Why Bishop Rocks
I could list a thousand reasons why Bishop rocks. It’s stunningly beautiful. The mountains are majestic. The high desert is surreal. The climate is wonderful. There are scores of world-class outdoor activities to be enjoyed. The city is small and attractive. The...
Local Lingo and Colloquialisms of the Eastern Sierra
The Eastern Sierra is a lovely and unique place. Like other lovely and unique places, it has a certain language of its own. There are words and names, phrases and pronunciations that are particular and perhaps even peculiar to our part of the world. Some things have a...
Awesome Autumn Fishing in the Bishop Creek Canyon
Every September after Labor Day, a sense of stillness descends on the Bishop Creek Canyon. The kids are back in school, the family vacationers have come and gone, and the hustle and bustle of the summertime gives way to the relative peace and quiet of fall. It is...
The Season for Gold in Bishop
The Olympic Games have ended and will happen again in 2020, but here in the Eastern Sierra gold is far more easily attained and is awarded to us every year. When the air cools and summer turns to autumn the leaves begin to change color and an abundance of yellow,...
Bishop is a dog-friendly destination
One of the best parts of being in the travel and tourism industry is getting introduced to great travel writers and photographers. We've been inspired by many, and recently were lucky enough to run across Katherine and Romeo Belarmino's travel blog, Travel the World....
48 Hours of Adventure in Bishop
Rising to just over 4,000 feet in elevation, Bishop, California is a town of about 11,000 people nestled in a high desert valley, wedged between the High Sierra and the White Mountains. With nearby national parks and national forests, deserts and mountain peaks,...
Half Way Between Heaven and Well … Heaven!
The National Park Service is 100 years old this year. President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill 100 years ago directing the Department of the Interior “to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wildlife therein, and to provide for the enjoyment of...
John Muir Trail – Hiking
Intro The John Muir Trail (JMT) is an American classic—211 miles that wind through some of the West’s (and the country’s) most beautiful mountain terrain—sequoia forests and granite mountaintops and deep canyons. The trail’s namesake, John Muir, is well-respected for...
The Good, Better & Best of Trail Running
Photo credit: Mike McDermott Trail runners who know … know that Bishop, California is trail-running heaven. Now all of trail running world knows. Bishop was rated one of the 8 great top trail-running mountain towns on the North American continent in the September...
“300 Miles Too Long or 300 Years Too Soon” – Darius Ogden Mills
The Slim Princess The railroad in the Owens Valley was more than just a stretch of the imagination. It was a vision inspired by tales of rich strikes in the mines of California, when a lull in mining activity was settling on the Comstock and in Virginia City, Nevada....
Finding Solitude – An Essential Guide
“The mountains are calling and I must go.” – John Muir. The annals of history are full of the reminiscences of women and men who have sought and found solitude in the mountains. Many of these individuals also found inspiration there and much of our cultural heritage...
Lake Sabrina – Hiking
Intro Lake Sabrina leads to several trails that reveal a series of alpine lakes in glacial basins and several 13,000-foot peaks along the way. High in the Sierra Nevadas not far from Bishop, California, hikers can embark on strenuous day hikes or multi-day backpacking...
Independence Day in the Eastern Sierra
Celebrating Independence Day in the Eastern Sierra is a whole weekend full of fun. From Friday, July 1st to Monday, July 4th there are exciting activities available for the whole family. From the city of Independence to the town of Mammoth Lakes, with Bishop midway...
Fun OHV Adventures near Bishop
The valley is wide, the mountains high, and exhilarating OHV adventures are almost limitless. The Inyo National Forest is home to some of the nation’s most spectacular alpine scenery. A legal system of roads and trails for motorized vehicles was designated here in...
8 of the Best Hikes Near Bishop
Sandwiched between Death Valley and Yosemite National Park, the small town of Bishop, California, is packed full of wilderness adventure. Home to what some argue is the purest and most-inspiring wilderness in America, residents and visitors to Bishop have countless...
Field Guide to Aquatic Stream Insects of the Sierra Nevada
… and why they’re so important! June in the Eastern Sierra is “take a kid or friend fishing” month. Our big backyard is the perfect place to teach your youngsters and friends about fishing. Besides the fresh mountain air, wide open spaces, crystal clear streams and...
Night Photography: Beautiful Bishop After Dark
It is with great pleasure we offer you this guest post (with a link to the entire blog post and more photos) by Katherine Belarmino. Katherine and Romeo Belarmino are the authors of Travel the World, a travel blog for the everyday working stiff. They work full-time in...
All the Ins & Outs of Camping in Bishop Creek Canyon
It’s not a secret, but it certainly is a best-kept area – especially for camping. Bishop Creek Canyon is a large area of about 30 square miles where the North, Middle, and South Forks of Bishop Creek drain down toward the Owens Valley. Along each fork lies a large...
5 Things to Know About Bishop Mule Days
Bishop Mule Days is right around the cornerWe've got some tips for navigating the biggest, brightest and best Mule Show in the country. Grab your boots and come on in.Number 1. Go Early, Go OftenMule Days stretches over almost a week, and many of the most beloved...
6 Super Spots to See Wildflowers near Bishop
The Eastside has had a much wetter winter than previous years, during which time we too suffered from the widespread drought that affected much of California and the western US. The accumulation of snow at the higher elevations on both the Sierra Nevada and White...
Fauna and Flora of the Owens Valley: Indigenous, Endemic, Endangered
Photo credit: Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Foundation Every place or region has its own distinctive character or something unique that sets it apart and makes it special. Some of these things are easily seen or found while others go unnoticed or are hidden and...
Strategies for Wildlife Living in the Desert
Guest Post by Tom & Jo Heindel Deserts occur worldwide and all the wildlife that lives in these deserts faces similar challenges. Basically, deserts are areas with little rain, high evaporation rates, hot and windy summers, cold and windy winters, little open...
Women’s Climbing Fest 2016
The first Flash Foxy Climbing Festival was a three day event that brought together and celebrated the growing community of women climbers. The festival not only reached veteran female climbers but also provided a safe space for beginner climbers to learn more about...
Super Spring Hikes around Bishop
A springtime hike in the Owens Valley is pure joy. Daytime temperatures are pleasantly warm and the hours of daylight increase with each day. The trees and bushes are blossoming and wildflowers can be seen in the fields and alongside streams. There is a sense of...
Finding Winter Wildlife in Bishop’s Backyard
On a recent trip during President’s Day Weekend, our outdoor touring group spotted about ten deer just outside the small village of Rovana. Feeding on nearby plants, these docile mammals allowed us to get within a few yards of them while we snapped away on...
Community Theatre in Bishop presents Chicago
Tonight … the curtain goes up on Bishop’s community theatre production of the Broadway hit ‘Chicago’. There is a palpable energy in this little Eastern Sierra mountain town in anticipation of this year’s Playhouse 395 show. Community theatre and the arts in general...
Death Valley Wildflower Phenomena Brought to you by El Niño
Superbloom. The latest Marvel Comic character? A new plant food additive? No, it's the fabulous Death Valley wildflower phenomena brought to you by El Niño. It turns out the desert has a sweet spot. It's just the right amount of rain, sunshine, and low winds to coax...
6 Great Winter Mountain Bike Rides around Bishop
Winter in Bishop is one the best times of year for mountain biking in the area. The days are frequently warm and sunny and now as we edge toward spring the daylight hours are getting longer and longer. There are trails and tracks that challenge skill, fitness and even...
White Pelican Migration in the Eastern Sierra
Many locations have spectacular wildlife observation opportunities and the Eastern Sierra can claim one of them. If one wants an awe inspiring experience with Sandhill Cranes, a winter trip to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, will not...
Yoga in Bishop: Not Just Backbends
Not too long ago yoga classes were offered in big cities and urban areas but in small towns it was hard to find. Not so anymore. Yoga is so much a part of daily life for many that even a little town like Bishop has not one, or two, but four options for getting your...
Winter Motorcycle Rides: On-road. Off-road.
Ride the White Mountains on your motorcycle! The Eastern Sierra is well known for its mountains and wonderful outdoor adventure activities. Many of these are human powered activities such as: hiking, climbing, cycling, kayaking, fishing, paragliding, skiing and … the...
4 Fabulous Photography Features
Photography is a passion for many in the Eastern Sierra For those who live here or visit regularly photography is often a daily activity. Sometimes it’s just a momentary opportunity to snap a quick image. Other times it’s a commitment to time and place to capture a...
Road Trip: The Land of Est!
This is the land of est … the highest, the lowest, the largest, the saddest, the oldest, the greatest, the longest and perhaps other ests you may discover for yourself along the way. US Highway 395 from Lone Pine to Bishop – 60 miles US Highway 395 runs for 767-miles...
Motor Touring Round Valley
Read on for a motor tour of the Round Valley, Bishop area you can easily do in the morning or an afternoon. We recommend stopping by one of our friendly coffee houses for you favorite beverage before heading out on this pleasant loop, and it never hurts to throw a pair of sturdy shoes in the car in case you decide to explore a little more on foot.
Bishop Motocross Series Races
Gates open at 7am. Race entry fee $40 for first class and $20 for second class. Located at Tri-County Fairgrounds Find out more!
5 Free Winter Activities in Bishop
Bishop, a 40-minute drive south of Mammoth Lakes and 4,000 feet lower in elevation, is truly the heart of the Eastern Sierra. The town has charm and grace, the community is hospitable and friendly, and the landscape is, well … spectacular! Bishop and the surrounding...
Fly Fishing Around Bishop
The Upper and Lower Owens River is open to fishing all year. Get inspired!
Women’s Climbing Festival
Flash Foxy is hosting a women's climbing festival! The inaugural festival will take place February 19-21, 2016 right here in Bishop. Even if you are new to climbing, the goal is that the festival will not only reach veteran female climbers but also provide a safe...
Bishop Hot Springs
Baby, it's cold outside! But at Keough's Hot Springs the water is warm and the sun is shining! Keough's was established in 1919 and is the largest natural hot springs pool in the Eastern Sierra. Amenities include lounge chairs for sun bathing, snack bar for...
Falling in Love with Fall
When I tell folks that I love summers in Bishop, which tend to run into 100+ degrees on an average summer day, most think that perhaps the heat has addled my brain. Not so. I was conditioned to love summer, but now what I’ve learned to love even more is fall!
Tule Elk
Tule Elk A hulking and magnificent animal in its own right, approximately 400 – 500 Tule Elk roam the Owens Valley area, mostly between Lone Pine and Bishop. This subspecies (Cervus Canadensis ssp. nannodes) of elk is not native to the East Sierra but is actually...
Buttermilk Country
Buttermilk Road no longer carries dairy trucks from “Old Joe” Inman’s Dairy along its rough and rocky track that, according to local legend, could bounce and churn fresh milk into buttermilk on its way into Bishop. Now that the dairy has long since disappeared and...
Be Bear Aware
BEAR AWARENESS Reduce the risk of close encounters with bears: Let Someone Know: where you are going and when you plan to return. Keep Children Close: to you and within your immediate sight at all times. Avoid damage to your vehicle by NOT leaving any foods, drinks,...
Round Valley Mule Deer
Mule Deer Comprising one of the highest numbers of megafauna (large wildlife) species in the Eastern Sierra, Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) can be found in numerous herds throughout Inyo and Mono Counties. Look for their white rumps, black-tipped tails, and...