CALIFORNIA

North Fork, Bishop Creek Canyon

This will be the first part of a series of posts about places in Inyo County. Bishop Creek Canyon is 14 miles West of Bishop on Highway 168. Driving on Highway 168, one will experience how the natural environment changes from the desert and arid climate of the wide open Owens Valley Floor

Owens Valley, early summer

to a sub-alpine forest of pines and quaking aspens

Desert to Forest Transition, Sage, Aspens and Pines

with rushing stream,

South Fork, Bishop Creek Canyon

calm and reflecting water,

Fishing @ North Lake

South Fork Creek

South Fork Creek

pristine lakes,

North Lake, Facing North

North Lake, Facing South, November

North Lake, Facing South, September

surrounded by the majestic granite peaks of the Eastern Sierra.

Granite Peaks of Eastern Sierra, November

Granite Peaks of Easter Sierra, September

Bishop Creek Canyon has well maintained road to go to its four lovely lakes which are excellent area for trout fishing.

Paved Road on Bishop Creek Canyon

Fishing @ North Lake of Bishop Creek Canyon

Caught Trouts

Bishop Creek Canyon is more popularly photographed during fall, when its slopes turn a flaming color of gold,

Bishop Creek Canyon Slopes Turning Gold, Late September to Early October

from its grove of aspens. Aspens ( populus tremuloides ) are most famous for growing in Colorado, but they can be found as far South as San Bernardino Mountains in Southern California. These trees are native to cold regions with cool summers, yet they require a lot of sunshine since they do not thrive very well in shade . They grow in large clonal colonies derived from a single seedling. Since they are clones of one seedling, they all leaf out simultaneously during spring and also change color at the same time during fall.

Grove of Aspens

But the beauty of Bishop Creek Canyon is not solely dependent on its aspens. The canyon is actually nice to photograph all year round.

Lake Sabrina, Late September

Lake Sabrina, Late September

Lake Sabrina, Late November

During spring, the roads and meadows are filled with wildflowers, one of the best in Eastern Sierra that I still have to experience. At winter however, the roads at higher elevation to North Lake and Lake Sabrina are closed, but the road to Intake II and other lower elevation area still remain open. The roads going to the lakes except North Lake are easy to navigate, but the road to North Lake can be challenging. Some parts of the road are narrow with a tall vertical drop off on your right. For someone who have fear of heights should assess all conditions driving to North Lake.

Life and Death, North Lake

But if one drives slowly and carefully watching the traffic in opposite direction, getting to North Lake safe and sound should not be a problem.

Fore more travel information on Bishop, please visit their site at http://www.bishopvisitor.com/fcr/bishop.php3

More if Inyo County to come…..

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