A BIG thank you to Wright’s Rainbow out of Thatcher, Idaho, for the load of fish from Idaho. With this load and the load from DFW, it made for some great fishing on the Lake, although the forecasted ThunderBoomers forced some fisherpeople off the Lake earlier than expected.

Got a few pictures of families and friends making memories. Granpa John, Dad Dean and Son Owen made lots of memories on the Lake as did Greace, Andrew, Timothy and P.J. The Bachmann Family – Rowan, Colin, Brooke, Gregg and Pupper Rocket Bachmann had lots of fun using NightCrawlers and going old-school with Zeke’s Sierra Gold.

So pretty much it’s the tried and true items working to catch fish – NightCrawlers, PowerBait, Mini-Jigs, MiceTails and Thomas Buoyants.

The bear has been back a few times this past week – haven’t seen him, but we know he’s been around. Also, a resident in Aspendell had his dog attacked by a Mountain Lion and another homeowner saw the Lion at the backend of Bishop Park Campground down by Aspendell. The dog will be fine, but best be watching your animals and children.

More and more wildflowers are starting to bloom and it’s the rain from those ThunderBoomers that’s got them going!

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.

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

It’s heating up in the Valley and at the Lake. Pack your sunscreen, bug juice and your rain gear (Don’t think you’ll need it this week, but it never hurts to have it along). 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.

Monday
Sunny, with a high near 78. East northeast wind 7 to 10 mph.

Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 54. Southeast wind 5 to 9 mph becoming southwest in the evening.

Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph becoming east in the morning.

Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph.

Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 82. West southwest wind 8 to 13 mph becoming south southeast in the morning.

Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 57.

Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 81.

Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 56.

Friday
Sunny, with a high near 82.

Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 58.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 83.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 59.

Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 83.

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!

Check out the Fair info here! https://tricountyfair.com/fair/

Looking for something to do other than fish and hike?

LAWS RAILROAD MUSEUM AND HISTORIC SITE

Take trip back in time and experience the daily life of the early settlers of the Owens Valley. The Laws Railroad Museum and Historic Site celebrates the rich history of the period and tells of a time when the railroad station was the heart of a bustling western town.

Close to 50 authentic structures on eleven acres are filled with artifacts and original objects that depict the lifestyles of the homemakers, artisans, and townspeople of the period. Most of these objects of antiquity are the actual tools used by the practitioners of their crafts such as, newspaper publishers, gold miners, ranchers, blacksmiths, dentists, physicians, and pharmacists who lived and worked here.

All the historic buildings are original structures. Some, like the Laws Depot, the Agent’s house, the locomotive turntable, and the oil and water tanks were constructed right here and have stood on this site since the first train rolled in in 1883. Others are authentic structures that were relocated here from their original sites throughout the Owens Valley, and restored to preserve the history of the railroad. The section of narrow-gauge track that remains on the site still carries restored and working railroad cars – all of which date back to the early days of the railway.

The land and structures of the Laws Depot and the Slim Princess, as this railway was known, was gift deeded by The Southern Pacific Company in 1960 when the railway line was abandoned and train service ended. The deed was handed over with the following statement: “In appreciation of the interest of Inyo County and the City of Bishop in preserving the memory of the Far West’s last common carrier narrow gauge railroad, the Keeler Branch, Southern Pacific Company is pleased to donate steam locomotive No. 9 together with other rolling stock, and the Laws Station building and surrounding installations for safekeeping in [sic] behalf of generations to come.”

Six miles north of Bishop on US Highway 6, Laws Railroad Museum and Historic Site is not just another theme park, it is a beautifully preserved reminder of the small, once lively town of Laws and the railroad station it served.

The museum is open daily:
Summer Hours (June through August) from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
Winter Hours (September through May) from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
The museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day

Admission by donation.

Amateur photography, video, and filming during the Museum’s normal operating hours are always welcome. Any other photography or filming requires special permission. The use of any sort of aircraft such as drones, radio-controlled airplanes, helicopters, etc. is subject to rules and regulations from the Federal Aviation Administration because of the proximity of the Bishop Airport. Dogs are not allowed on the grounds of the museum site. The site has many ramps for access by wheelchair.
For more information about Laws Railroad Museum & Historic Site visit http://www.lawsmuseum.org/index.htm or pop into the Bishop Visitors Center at 690 N. Main St.

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.

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.

Received a FORECAST from Edison regarding their BEST GUESS on the Lake water levels for Lake Sabrina (paraphrased)

It looks like the water level will be fairly stable from mid to late June through the beginning of August. Edison plans on draining Intake 2 starting the beginning of August to complete the work on the spillway. Edison will pull a bit more water from South Lake and less water from Lake Sabrina to reduce the amount of water thru Intake 2 and meet water flows in the Valley.

Please understand - this is NOT set in stone. Mother Nature and Life happens!

Juanita, Rick, Patti, Dwayne, Bob, Matt and Len