WOW – what a week! We went from a few boring weeks to WOW!!! There were some good thunderboomers and down-right down-pours that occurred last Monday causing a few mudslides down on Hwy 168 – 3 little slides – nothing like three years ago. (The Dodge car drove into the slide trying to get thru – DON’T DO THAT!) Took CalTrans only a few hours to clear the road so everyone could get down the hill. A few of these thunderboomers were right on top of us! We have a flashflood watch for Monday until 11pm with the thunderboomers lasting all week – so pack that raingear.

Friday, we got a load of fish from Wright’s Rainbows from Thatcher, Idaho to start the weekend. Thanks to the following business for helping stock these great fish in the Bishop Creek Canyon area – Bishop Chamber of Commerce, Parcher’s Resort and South Lake, Lake Sabrina Boat Landing, Bishop Creek Lodge, Creekside RV Park and Cardinal Village Resort.  

Sunday night, we had a bear return and get into the dumpster thru the small cut-out in the top of the dumpster. Rick was pretty surprised when he popped his head out the top and then the rest of the body followed. A spotlight in his direction along with a few hits on the airhorn sent it scurrying back up the mountain. We hear of a couple of bears visiting Parcher’s Resort, too! Kaos’ buddy Bodie stopped by for a visit. Bodie is a Bernese Mountain pupper that definitely could pass for a bear!

Jeremiah Archila caught one of the prettiest fish we’ve seen in a bit and also one of the largest we’ve seen in a while – a 5-1/4 pounder caught on green PowerBait. Lily Root caught her fish on ‘a fishing pole’ with pink PowerBait. Lots of limits were seen heading for the frying pan. It’s pretty much PowerBait, NightCrawlers, MiceTails, MiniJigs and Thomas Buoyants.

The Lake remains pretty much at the level it was last week – great news – we’re not dropping like we had been!! SCE has decided to NOT drain Intake Two this year, but will wait on completing the project on that spillway and dam.

USFS has stationed hot shot crews up at the Lake a few times over the past week and that will probably continue for the week. We even had a Fire helicopter fly over the Lake with its water bucket attached. Still lots of moisture due in from the monsoonal weather and a few more thunderboomers. We know these storms put a damper on your vacation, but the Forest is in desperate need of the water!

All the campgrounds in Bishop Creek Canyon are now open. Remember Bishop Park and The Forks have switched over to 100% reservation thru www.recreation.gov. Four Jeffery, also, has reservable campsites and first-come first-serve spots. First-come first-serve campgrounds are: BitterBrush, Big Trees, Willow and Sabrina Camp. North Lake is a dry camp with no potable water and is first-come first-serve. The BIG bear roaming thru Aspendell knocking over the big green trash bins and prying the lids open is still roaming – please store your food properly and DON’T feed the bears or the deer. Also, watch out for your pets, there a three mountain lions roaming the Aspendell area.

Currently, private boats can launch from dirt. No parking down in the Lake bottom.

Hikers:  There is now a bear box at the Sabrina Trail Hiker Parking at the North Lake Road. This has been on my list to get accomplished since 2003 – Thank you Forest Service!!!

ThunderBoomers remain in the forecast for the next few days, but clear out for the mid-week and return again this weekend. Pack your sunscreen, bug juice and your rain gear.  You can check the forecast yourself at www.weather.gov – enter Aspendell, CA and scroll down a bit for the temps and forecast up our way.

Today

FLASH FLOOD WATCH till 11pm.  A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Increasing clouds, with a high near 75. Northeast wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

 Tonight

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 11pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 51. South southeast wind 5 to 11 mph becoming north northwest in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

 Tuesday

A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 9am. Partly sunny, with a high near 71. South southwest wind 6 to 10 mph becoming north in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

 Tuesday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. West wind 6 to 9 mph becoming south southwest in the evening.

 Wednesday

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Northwest wind 5 to 11 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

 Wednesday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.

 Thursday

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.

 Thursday Night

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.

 Friday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.

 Friday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.

 Saturday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70.

 Saturday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.

 Sunday

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.

FREE CONCERTS IN THE PARK

Every Monday, from now until Labor Day, there are FREE concerts at the Park by the Gazebo over on Main Street from 8pm to 9pm.

EASTERN SIERRA TRI-COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

DRIVE -IN MOVIES

🚘 Drive-In Movie Series at the Tri County Fairgrounds! 🚘

Gates Open @ 7:15PM

Movie Starts @ 8:15PM

Bring Chairs and Blankets.

Food and Drinks Sold On-Site

🚌 RV – Runaway Vacation – Robin Williams  July 30 7:30pm to 10:30pm

😈 Gremlins July 31 7:30pm to 10:30pm

Get your tickets now at TriCountyFair.com 🎟

 

FREE CONCERTS IN THE PARK

Every Monday, from now until Labor Day, there are FREE concerts at the Park by the Gazebo over on Main Street from 8pm to 9pm.

TRI-COUNTY FAIR

Labor Day Weekend, September 3 thru the 6th, the Tri-County fair rolls into the small town of Bishop, CA. Butler Amusements has been providing the Carnival Midway for the Tri-County Fair for over 15 years. They provide a wide variety of major, family and kid-friendly rides, fun Midway games and a clean and professional presentation for our guests. Come out and enjoy the thrills and fun of the midway at the Tri-County Fair!

Wynonna Judd is the headliner this year on September 3rd, September 4th is the Rodeo and September 5th the much-loved demolition derby.

They are developing many new classes, plus plan on a Beer and Wine Competition, a bigger and better BBQ Competition, new food, new vendors and new entertainment to bring in more fun for everyone. Looks like the berry pie contest (and that’s any kind of berry pie) along with the cookie contest (this year is Chocolate Chip) is back on the menu!

Looking for something to do other than fish and hike?

BISHOP TWIN MOVIE THEATER

The historic Bishop Twin Movie Theater, as it stands today, has been an entertainment venue for Bishop and Eastern Sierra audiences for almost 100 years. On the outside it appears to be little changed from its beginnings in 1925, but the two theaters have state-of-the-art digital screenings, up-to-date sound systems and comfortable seats with plenty of leg room.

The theater shows first run movies daily with two show times each evening, Monday to Friday, a matinee and two evening shows run on Saturdays, and Sunday showings are a matinee and evening show. Two new movies are screened each week starting Fridays with the occasional big blockbuster running an extra week or two.

The Bishop Twin Theater is located at 237 N. Main St. in downtown Bishop. Convenient and free parking is located just off Main St. on Church St and an adjacent lot.

Ticket prices are:

Children (Ages: 3-12yrs) $5

Adults (Ages: 13-64yrs) $8

Seniors (Ages: 65+) $5

Early Bird Matinee Show (all seats) $5

For more information call: (760) 873-3576

PAIUTE SHOSHONE CULTURAL CENTER

The Paiute Shoshone Cultural Center is both a museum and cultural center that serves the community and safeguards its history. It is a place to preserve and tell the story of the old ways and a place for the community to come together to learn, teach and continue the traditional ways. The exhibits in the Paiute Shoshone Cultural Center are beautifully illustrated snapshots of the lives of the people who lived here with dignity and in harmony with the land.

The facility is open year-round with seasonal hours of operation. Winter season, from October through March, the center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Summer season, from April through September, you can visit Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 6pm.

Fall is particularly beautiful here when the air outside is cool and the leaves on the big cottonwood trees are turning to gold. Step inside the Cultural Center and then walk the trail through the COSA with a new vision of the importance of the land and its resources.

Located at 2300 W. Line Street, the Cultural Center is just one mile from the corner of Main St. and Line St. Ample parking is available on the grounds and visitors are requested to follow all posted directional and parking signage.

Photography is not permitted inside the building as many of the artifacts are sacred and form the heritage of the many families of this community.

LAWS RAILROAD MUSEUM AND HISTORIC SITE

A visit to the Laws Railroad Museum and Historic Site is a trip back in time to experience the daily life of the early settlers of the Owens Valley. Close to 50 authentic structures on eleven acres are filled with artifacts and original objects. Take a train ride on the old Death Valley car. Enjoy colorful, period-themed events and have a happy holiday with carol singing, storytelling and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Open daily – except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

A few items we’ll just keep here for the season –

Remember, Lake Sabrina is a reservoir for hydro-electricity. Edison uses the water all winter to make electricity for the general grid. During this time, there is very little water coming into the Lake. The Lake fills from the winter snowpack. This year, due to the work on the spillway last year, the water level started lower than usual and the snowpack is less than usual. The Lake will rise, but will not fill.

Remember, Lake Sabrina is a reservoir for hydro-electricity. Edison uses the water all winter to make electricity for the general grid. During this time, there is very little water coming into the Lake. The Lake fills from the winter snowpack. This year, due to the work on the spillway last year, the water level started lower than usual and the snowpack is less than usual. The Lake will rise, but will not fill.

Eastern Sierra Transit’s Bishop Creek Shuttle will be running this season. $5.00 per trip. Twice daily roundtrip service from Bishop to the Bishop Creek Recreation Area. This route will run Saturday, June 12, 2021 and will operate seven days per week through September 6, 2021. The route will provide service from Bishop to the Bishop Creek Recreation Area with scheduled stops at South Lake and Lake Sabrina. The route will also provide intermediate stops at all locations where it is safe for the bus to stop. Expected intermediate stops include, but are not limited to, South Fork Bishop Creek Lodge, Parcher’s Resort, Aspendell, intersection of CA-168 and North Lake Road, intersection of CA-168 and Buttermilk Road as well as Starlite Road, and Forest Service campgrounds along the route.

Mono County Tourism sent out a bit of a reminder regarding Mountain Manners – the lands were pretty well trashed last year, please, please pick up after yourselves. Sure, would appreciate the help!

It's time we had a talk about your manners.... Mountain Manners that is!

Like all parents, Mother Nature Loves good manners! Everyone knows the Golden Rule "Take only photos; leave only footprints" but here are a few other Mountain Manners etiquette tips to help protect the Eastern Sierra:

MANNER #1: Follow the Beaten Path

Straying from designated paths can cause harmful erosion, and damage fragile plants, so we ask you to take the road most traveled. (with apologies to Robert Frost).

MANNER #2: Scoop the Poop

Your #2 is becoming our #1 issue. If it's your pet's, please bag it and take it out to a trash can! If it's your own, bury it in a cat-hole at least 6-8 inches deep or better yet, pack it out.

MANNER #3: Gather up Garbage

Even if it's not yours, please pack out litter! Nothing makes Mother Nature happier. Remember, food scraps are litter, too. Even if food is considered "biodegradable," no one wants to see your orange peels lying around - and human food is unhealthy for wildlife.

MANNER #4: Don't Feed The Bears

Or deer, birds, chipmunks, etc. Please keep yourself - and your food - out of the reach of wildlife. Store all food in bear boxes or bear-proof containers, NOT in your vehicle.

MANNER #5: Remove Fishing Line and Hooks

Fishing hooks and tangled line are dangerous to wild animals, birds, fish, pets and kids. Please remove this litter from water and shoreline and pack it out.

MANNER #6: Keep Invasive Species Out

Take all steps to keep invasive species from spreading and destroying out lakes, streams, rivers and meadows.

MANNER #7: Don't Pick The Flowers!

It's no easy task to blossom and survive in challenging alpine conditions - wildflowers work hard to grow! Please don't disturb or remove plants, rocks or artifacts. Their home is right where you found them. Always stay on trail and never destroy or walk on vegetation.

MANNER #8: Social Media Do's and Don'ts

Keep wild places wild and don't geo-tag your Instagram Photo! Special places can be destroyed by Insta-fame. Remember that people may want to get the same photo as you - be sure your pics are taken from a safe place and do not show a dangerous activity or one that could disturb wildlife or fragile landscapes. Selfie accidents are a thing - watch your footing!

Thank you for your stewardship of the Eastern Sierra! More info at: https://www.monocounty.org/plan-your-trip/mountain-manners/

Visiting the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is an enjoyable way to spend a day learning about the oldest trees in the world. Living trees exceed 4000 years of age with weathered, twisted, and beautifully colored wood. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Natural History. Bristlecone pines and limber pines dot this high elevation landscape with great views of the Great Basin in Nevada. To get there – just follow Hwy 168 EAST out of Big Pine and turn at the Ancient Bristlecone Pine sign.

At Schulman Grove, the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center is open in summer, with interpretive programs, gifts, and information about the trees. Bristlecone trees can be viewed from the parking area and boardwalks around the visitor center. Further exploration of the forest may be done via 3 self-guided trails.

Beyond Schulman Grove lies the Patriarch Grove, 13 miles north on a good dirt road. Patriarch Grove is home to the world's largest Bristlecone Pine, the Patriarch Tree. Its splendid remoteness and moonscape appearance gives the Patriarch Grove a surreal atmosphere.

There are 2 short trails at the Patriarch Grove, with a picnic area and restroom.

A visit to both Schulman Grove and Patriarch Grove is possible in the same day if you get an early start. This is a high elevation, remote area with limited cell phone coverage. If you are going to visit the Bristlecones or camp at Grandview Campground, you need to be prepared to be self-sufficient. The nearest source for food, water, or fuel is Big Pine, CA. Camping is not allowed in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. Nearest campground is Grandview Campground.

 Juanita, Rick, Patti, Dwayne, Bob and Len