Bishop (Pop 3,800 - Elevation 4150 feet) is the largest town located directly on the 395 between Victorville in the south and Minden/Gardnerville in Nevada to the north. That is a distance of almost 400 miles. It is the only incorporated city in Inyo County. Bishop is located in the upper Owens Valley directly between the two tallest mountain ranges in California, the Sierra Nevada & the White Mountains. The tallest mountain in the lower 48 … [Read more...]
Archives for September 1999
Bishop, CA – Bristlecone Forest
Bristlecone pine trees are the oldest continuously standing living trees on the planet. With that said, clonal systems of trees date back further but are not the original specimen like with the Bristlecone pines. Other ancient clonal systems include 80,000-year-old Quaking Aspen grove in Utah, 11,000 plus year old Creosote Bush stands in California's Mojave Desert and a root system of a Norway Spruce tree in Sweden found to to be almost 10,000 … [Read more...]
Bishop, CA – White Mountain Hike
White Mountain is one of 15 summits in California over 14,000 feet. Along with Shasta it is the only other 14,000+ mountain in California outside of the Sierra Nevada mountains. One of the oldest permanent settlements in North America was located 12,600 feet up one of the sides of White Mountain. This is the highest of the former permanent Indian settlements; there are several encampments slightly lower in elevation. The dirt White Mountain road … [Read more...]
Bishop, CA – Fishing
Fishing is excellent in the Owens Valley and in the nearby mountain streams and reservoirs. A good place to begin is the Owens River. One particular location we like to fish and relax at is a stretch of the Owens River found at the end of East Lye street. This street can be found in downtown Bishop. Take it from downtown and drive about 2 or 3 miles east until just before the small bridge that crosses the Owens River. On the right hand side there … [Read more...]
Bishop, CA – Laws Railroad Museum
This extensive Railroad and Western museum is open year round; it is located 4.5 miles north east on US 6 which you can catch from downtown Bishop. Laws was one of the numerous stops on once was a narrow gauge railroad that rain from Mound House (near Carson City in Nevado) to Keeler (near Lone Pine). The railroad reached Laws in 1883 and the last train through Laws was in 1960. This museum opened in 1966. The decline of this particular … [Read more...]
Bishop, CA – Paiute-Shoshone Cultural Center
Paiute-Shoshone Cultural Center is located at 2301 W. Line Street on the Bishop Paiute Reservation on the way up to Lake Sabrina - about 6-8 minutes from downtown Bishop). This center features exhibits of native American food sources, clothing, tools, shelter, and baskets & beads. Focuses on local tribes including Nuumu (Paiute) and Newe (Shoshone) People. Some native plants grow outside the center in their garden - with descriptive plaques … [Read more...]
Bishop, CA – Annual Events
March - Blake Jones Trout Derby - More information about this event including pre-registration info can be found on the following website: www.bishopvisitor.com/blake-jones-trout-derby April - Annual pilgrimage of Japanese-Americans to Manzanar. Call (760) 878-2932 for more details. May - Memorial Day Weekend Mule Days. This is a major event for the town of Bishop. Thousands of people come from all over California and beyond for this. … [Read more...]
Bishop, CA – Shopping
Mahogany Smoked Meats is located on the north side of the 395, (2345 Sierra Highway) as you head north on the outskirts of town. Not a chili dippin' operation - Mahogany has some serious selection and history behind the shop. Originally founded in 1922 the store carries a large variety of various flavors of smoked venison as well as other smoked meats. Originally called Meadow Farms Country store - it used to be home to a church, a … [Read more...]
Bishop, CA – Hotels
For a town its size there are a proportionately large number of hotels (and certainly many more hotels then some of its smaller town neighbors in both the north and south). Most offer free Wi-Fi and many are fisherman friendly (offering fish cleaning facilities). Unless otherwise noted all prices range from 1 person/1 room/1 bed to 2 person/1 room/2 beds. All ratings if available are listed with each hotel. Prices are subject to change … [Read more...]
Bishop, CA – Restaurants
Aaron Schat's Roadhouse is located at 871 N Main St in downtown Bishop. Another one of a surprisingly number of restaurants in this part of the Eastern Sierra carrying the last name of Schat. Just up the street from the famous Erick Schat's Bakkery. Offers a variety of high quality dishes including gourmet burgers, rotisserie chicken, and slow-smoked ribs. A woodsy interior offers plenty of indoor seating overlooking Main Street. For … [Read more...]