The Owens Valley Weekend: Fish, Hike, Explore Backroads & Chase Eastern Sierra Light

long Lake Mt. Goode Bishop Pass

A weekend full of adventure possibilities in the Eastern Sierra Traveling into the Owens Valley from the north, I have often viewed Bishop and the Eastern Sierra through the lens of Highway 395 — a place of big views, high trailheads, fishing water, and familiar stops on the way to somewhere wild. But a recent … Read more

Day Hiking Lake Sabrina to George Lake

George Lake

When I get the itch for High Sierra hiking, one of the areas I am drawn to is the portion of the Sierra near Bishop. One of the greatest aspects of this area is the availability of easily accessible trailheads. I was recently exploring the area and stumbled upon the hike to George Lake, a … Read more

Saddle Up for the 2025 Mule Days Celebration in Bishop

mule days bishop

May 20–25, 2025 | Bishop, CA It’s that time of year again—when the rhythm of hoofbeats echoes through the Eastern Sierra and the town of Bishop throws open its doors to celebrate the legendary animals that helped build the American West. That’s right, Mule Days is back! For over 50 years, Mule Days has been … Read more

The BLM Bishop Field Office offers online Christmas tree cutting permits

BLM Christmas Tree California

Now available online for this holiday season BISHOP, Calif. â€” The Bureau of Land Management Bishop Field Office is offering personal use Christmas tree cutting permits online, from now until Dec. 24. The permits allow the public to harvest up to five Christmas trees on designated BLM-managed public lands near Benton and Bridgeport in Mono County. … Read more

BLM Artist-in-Residence presents live musical performance

alabama hills

BISHOP, Calif. â€“ The Bureau of Land Management, in partnership with C5 Studios, announces a community engagement performance as part of its Artist-in-Residence program. On Saturday, Nov. 30, from 5-6:30 p.m., composer Daniel Walter will host a live performance at C5 Studios, 210 S Warren Street, Bishop, CA. Daniel Walter, a Los Angeles based composer and musician, specializes … Read more

Exploring the Chocolate Lakes Loop off Bishop Pass

Bull Lake and Chocolate Peak

A weekend in the Chocolate Lakes with new friends The Invite was for a quick trip into the John Muir Wilderness. The Chocolate Lakes off the Bishop Pass trail at South Lake near Bishop. This 6.6-mile loop trail is generally considered moderately challenging by visitors, but it is often completed as a day trip that … Read more

Ancient Giants: A Journey to the Schulman Grove

Ancient Bristlecone Forest

I’ve roamed far and wide across the Sierra Nevada, immersing myself in the region’s breathtaking natural wonders. Yet, until this past summer, the enigmatic allure of the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains near Bishop, California, remained an unexplored chapter in my outdoor adventures. A fortuitous window of time before a backpacking expedition … Read more

Film premiere about climate change on the Inyo National Forest

Fisherman in Ownes River

Bishop, Calif., June 12, 2024— Inyo National Forest in partnership with Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association (ESIA), are premiering a new short film, The Sierra Nevada: Adapting to our Changing Climate on Thursday, June 27 at Mountain Rambler Brewery. Mountain Rambler Brewery is located­­ at 186 South Main Street, Bishop, CA. The event, organized by ESIA, will be … Read more

BLM and Inyo National Forest seek public input for off-highway vehicle grants

Moter Bike on Blm land bishop

BISHOP, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management Bishop Field Office and the Inyo National Forest are seeking input from the public on how to ensure off-highway vehicle trails are safe and well maintained on public lands throughout the Eastern Sierra during a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 5 p.m. The public must register … Read more

An Epic Summer Excursion to Bishop Pass

Bishop Pass Lake

When I began to plan my adventures for the summer, Bishop Pass quickly skyrocketed to the top of my to-do list. The massive winter we experienced, along with the incoming Hurricane Hilary, tried to throw a wrench into my plans but ended up resulting in an incredibly epic hiking experience. We reserved a campsite at … Read more

Inyo National Forest officials urge backup plans this Memorial Day Weekend

Flooded camp ground Mono ranger district

BISHOP, Calif., May 25, 2023 — As we head into Memorial Day weekend after a long winter season, the Inyo National Forest would like to caution visitors to plan for a safe trip, while also being aware of winter’s impacts to its recreation sites. There is also a heightened risk of flooding, rock or landslides, … Read more

Three Great Festival Ideas for the Memorial Day Weekend

mule days bishop

Traveling in the Sierra This weekend, Plans Stops in Carson City, Bishop and Lake Tahoe for the Kick off to Festival Season Summer in the Sierra is all about the sun, beautiful mountains and crazy entertainment and festivals. So in 2023 with all the rivers and camp grounds practically closed because of huge snow melts, … Read more

The BLM Bishop Field Office offers online Christmas tree cutting permits  

High Desert Mountain Sage forest

Christmas Tree Permits Now available online for this holiday season  BISHOP, Calif. â€” The Bureau of Land Management Bishop Field Office is offering personal use Christmas tree cutting permits, now available online, for designated cutting areas on public lands near Benton and Bridgeport in Mono County through Dec. 24.   “We are again offering an online purchase option … Read more

Roads and trails to Inyo Craters temporarily closing for hazard tree removal 

Sierra Rec Magazine – August 1, 2022 – BISHOP, Calif. – To ensure public safety Inyo National Forest officials are temporarily closing the entry roads, trails, and facilities at the Inyo Craters site, located on the Mammoth Ranger District during the month of August.  A 100-foot buffer area along each side of Inyo Craters Trails, … Read more

ALABAMA HILLS ARTIST IN RESIDENCY SHOWCASE TO BE HELD JULY 1

Alabama Hills BLM media image

BISHOP, Calif. — The Bishop BLM Field Office, in partnership with the Alabama Hills Stewardship Group and Friends of the Inyo, would like to welcome the public to a showcasing of artist Aubrey Edwards’ photography shot during her participation in the Alabama Hills Artist in Residency Program. The art showing will take place from 3 to … Read more

Kirman Lake Stocked With 3,500 Brook Trout As CDFW Works To Restore Mono County Trophy Trout Fishery

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has stocked 3,500 large brook trout into Kirman Lake in Mono County as part of an ongoing commitment to restore one of the West’s best trophy brook trout fisheries. Brook trout in the 1- to 2-pound class were stocked recently into Kirman Lake from CDFW’s American River … Read more

Climbing Rangers encourage responsible recreation at East Side Climbing/Bouldering areas

a desert with mountains in the background

Bishop Ca- The Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association (ESIA) has hired two climbing rangers to patrol the increasingly popular climbing and bouldering areas in the Bishop area. This is the third year of the program. Climbing in the Eastern Sierra is an interagency activity, so the climbing rangers are supported by numerous partners: the  Bishop Area … Read more