NFR Owens Valley

Random pictures of an area I have been visiting for 50 years now. My great uncle started coming here in the early 1940’s. It was visiting uncle Bill that planted the roots that have grown there.

The drive is a big part of the trip. If I can head down the east side it is an enjoyable, scenic drive, if weather doesn’t allow 395 through the sierras I am forced to go around the bottom and up the big valley with I-5 up the middle, not so enjoyable…

We got lucky on the way down
One of several stops on the way, Picture Rock Pass highway 31.

Camped in my usual area, got in a nice walk before heading out


Threaded the needle on the way down
doesn’t get much better.

I visit this tree every time I am down, a red tail was spotted on the nest one of the days



Looking east below town in the evening

Remains of the old soda ash plant that was there in the 1910’s to 1930’s.


Ponds below town, lots of marsh wrens, a couple egrets, coots, cinnamon teals, mallards, shore birds, red wing black birds…


I found some surprises when going on walks above town




Morning


evening of the same day.

395 was closed the last 3 days of my trip
I was greeted by snow on the morning of my departure.


I’ll be back soon

 

[Robert Engleheart]

The east side is a gem. Is that a recent trip? The last week dumped on there, which is good if you weren’t fishing.

 

[SculpinSwinger]

The east side is a gem. Is that a recent trip? The last week dumped on there, which is good if you weren’t fishing.

I left on the 11th of Feb, just got home the 20th. Scheduled departure was the 10th but we delayed to try and stay behind one storm and ahead of the big one. The big one definitely was coming through while I was there.

 

[SurfnFish]

If haven't already, weather permitting strongly recommend a drive up the White Mountains on the east side of the valley to visit the Bristlecone Pine forest, home of the oldest living non-clonal organisms on earth. The road goes up to 11,000', and the views and trees themselves are spectacular.

 

[SculpinSwinger]

If haven't already, weather permitting strongly recommend a drive up the White Mountains on the east side of the valley to visit the Bristlecone Pine forest, home of the oldest living non-clonal organisms on earth. The road goes up to 11,000', and the views and trees themselves are spectacular.

I agree, and have been up a few times. Once I was lucky enough to go with a friend up Silver Canyon, explore the White Mountains and came out Deep Springs Valley.

 

[RRSmith]

Thanks for sharing those photos - I think it's really cool that you've had such a long tradition of going there. The Owens Valley is truly God's Country in just about every way.

I lived in Independence from 1981-1983 and it was my first duty station with CA DFW. One of our favorite fisheries was the fall spawner brown trout run in the LA Aquaduct. They would congregate around the outflow from Black Rock Fish Hatchery - usually in October. The brown trout were hatchery escapee's as fingerlings. We thought maybe there would be rainbow escapees as well but brown's must have been better suited at surviving in the aquaduct. I have to add that the duck hunting out in the flats between Independence and Black Rock was some of the best that I ever had and the scenery was spectacular.

 

[SculpinSwinger]

I was down at the end of December into early January as well.
Went into Panamint Valley with my exploring friend, this was at the Minnietta mine.
Some of the most impressive dry stack masonry I’ve seen




Rumored to be a corral from the late 1600’s


Same canyon as the above two pictures but lower down. Look at the timbers


And higher up in the same canyon

Hard short lives lived in beautiful places.

 

[RRSmith]

Oh boy, now I am really getting flashbacks. We used to deer hunt in the Panamint Mountains prior to it coming under the umbrella of Death Valley National Park (1994). Do you have more images to share?

 

[SculpinSwinger]

Oh boy, now I am really getting flashbacks. We used to deer hunt in the Panamint Mountains prior to it coming under the umbrella of Death Valley National Park (1994). Do you have more images to share?

I will dig up some more.
Locals hunted the west slope of the Inyos, New York Butte. Always love the trip to the Burgess mine and Cerro Gordo

 

[RRSmith]

I will dig up some more.
Locals hunted the west slope of the Inyos, New York Butte. Always love the trip to the Burgess mine and Cerro Gordo

We hunted chukars all along the west slope and the crest of the Inyo's. My favorite spot was up top near Side Hill Springs which was close to 10,000 feet in elevation. There was old mine equipment at the tralhead to Seep Hole Springs off Mazourka Canyon Road. If I recall correctly, it was between Santa Rita Flats and Badger Flats. I wasn't really into the old mine stuff but oh boy it was everywhere in that country.

 

[Brute]

I was down at the end of December into early January as well.
Went into Panamint Valley with my exploring friend, this was at the Minnietta mine.
Some of the most impressive dry stack masonry I’ve seenView attachment 178827

View attachment 178829


Rumored to be a corral from the late 1600’s
View attachment 178832

Same canyon as the above two pictures but lower down. Look at the timbers
View attachment 178835

And higher up in the same canyon
View attachment 178836
Hard short lives lived in beautiful places.View attachment 178837

A decade or so ago I used to off road in the Inyo & White mountains…beautiful country, great camping at elevation…and would explore the mining sites in Death Valley & the Panamint Valley…in winter…

 

[SculpinSwinger]

A couple from the area between Red Rocks and Jawbone Canyon, just off the southern end of the Owens Valley.











We have become soft…

Some more from the area around town

The old bank vault

In my youth there was also the oven from the bakery.

I used to find intact sections of the old wooden pipe. Just staves and wire rings anymore.


A spot that is special to me. I have come here many times to pay my respects and relive old memories. A nice hike from the house.



I am one of few who go into the canyon, only when the weather is calm, and someone always knows I am going. Quite a few people have died of exposure after getting in trouble in there. No trails and , multiple creek crossings required.


Golden Trout reside in the canyon. They wash down from above (south fork Kern).


Golden


Until next time Cartago!

 

[SurfnFish]

not to mention the excellent fisheries in that valley...the Madison and Owens River two fave Brown trout fisheries

 

[RRSmith]

Thanks so much for adding more images! Does your family own a home in Cartago?

 

[SculpinSwinger]

Thanks so much for adding more images! Does your family own a home in Cartago?

My father lived there 1980’s until his death around 2000. My sister and I have kept his place. I used to stay 3 weeks in the fall in 3 in the spring. I try to get at least 3 weeks down a year now. I am a part time local, I have more people looking out for me down there than I do at home. I still have a 2nd cousin who lives in town at my great uncle Bill’s place.
Strange to walk around town and think of all the people that used to live in the various houses. Only 2 of the original old timers left.

 

[SculpinSwinger]

A neighbor just sent this.

https://smartmailerview.bisglobal.net/SendMail/1143/2026%5C2%5C23/944061/CampaignInitiativeEmail_78722010.html?sm_guid=OTQ0MDYxfDc4NzIyMDEwfC0xfGtzcGFsbGV5QGdtYWlsLmNvbXw4NTIyODU3fHwwfDB8MzAxODIwMTA4fDExNDN8MHwwfHw5NDYwMDJ8MA2

Crystal Geyser wants to drill another well and expand its bottling operations. They have grown tremendously over the years. Their last expansion put them adjacent to town. They threatened to sue all of us property owners for protesting their expansion. They are not good neighbors.
Express your opinion if you have one please.
I can go into more detail if there’s interest.
A screen shot of the link

 

[Robert Engleheart]

Those c***$uckers tried to grab water around Mt Shasta that fed the McCloud and were sued and lost. Not good neighbors is giving them too much credit.

 

[Flymph]

When I see those mountains in the backdrop I envision Hoppy and Gabby Hayes plotting to overthrow evil-doers.

 

[Sir Homey]

Such beautiful country in that area. Many good times spent loading up on supplies in Lone Pine before heading to the high country to chase goldens or climb Whitney. I do miss it from time to time. No trip to the area is complete without visiting “the gorge”, small water, feisty browns and more rattlers than you could shake a stick at.

 

[SurfnFish]

A neighbor just sent this.

https://smartmailerview.bisglobal.net/SendMail/1143/2026%5C2%5C23/944061/CampaignInitiativeEmail_78722010.html?sm_guid=OTQ0MDYxfDc4NzIyMDEwfC0xfGtzcGFsbGV5QGdtYWlsLmNvbXw4NTIyODU3fHwwfDB8MzAxODIwMTA4fDExNDN8MHwwfHw5NDYwMDJ8MA2

Crystal Geyser wants to drill another well and expand its bottling operations. They have grown tremendously over the years. Their last expansion put them adjacent to town. They threatened to sue all of us property owners for protesting their expansion. They are not good neighbors.
Express your opinion if you have one please.
I can go into more detail if there’s interest.
A screen shot of the linkView attachment 178983

The movie Chinatown was based on the Owens Valley water theft by corrupt Los Angeles officials, who boosted water from the Owens River and Owens Lake on behalf of developers wanting to expand Los Angeles and irrigate the San Fernando Valley to drive up prices for land they had already purchased.
Prior to, Lake Owens filled the entire valley floor, only to run dry ten years later once piped to the LA aqueduct, at which time LA tapped the Colorado River.