NFR Road Trip

I have been heading to the southern Owens Valley in California since I was 8 in 1976. My great uncle lived in a small town (Cartago) on the southern end of the dry Owens Lake.

From the ponds east of town, looking east with town on the left.
A creek bearing the same name exists the canyon.

I always have a ton of maintenance to do when I am there, but the rewards are great, and keep me connected to the community.

The wind destroyed the old gates.


I take long walks in the morning, and spend the rest of the day repairing, cleaning up, or trying to ward off future damage. I meet a couple neighbors in a garage for a beer or two many of the evenings.


Used to find a lot of this old wood pipe.

 

[Bruce Baker]

Thanks for sharing. Some really great photos. This was one of my favorites:

 

[SculpinSwinger]

It is nice to find that many of you have an affinity for the Eastern Sierra. I live in the southern Willamette Valley, and I am always awe struck when I return to the Sierra. It is interesting to feel at home in both environments. So different, and yet many of the same trees, birds, and animals are in both places.

 

[SculpinSwinger]

Thanks for sharing. Some really great photos. This was one of my favorites:
View attachment 48656

Thanks Bruce
New Year’s Morning, my SW corner. I have taken hundreds of similar photos over the years, this is one of the best.

 

[Coach Potter]

Thank you
The environment makes it easy.

You guys that do a great job of documenting your excursions make me want to buy a camera!

 

[RRSmith]

We used to fish Little Lake when there was state lands access back in the early 80's. It was full of Sacramento Perch.

 

[SculpinSwinger]

You guys that do a great job of documenting your excursions make me want to buy a camera!

They are all cell phone pics

 

[SculpinSwinger]

Mostly rocks

 

[Robert Engleheart]

It’s probably been 10 years since I was last in the area, wondering how the drought conditions have affected the lower Owens restoration project, https://www.inyowater.org/projects/lorp/.
When I was there the increased flows south of Bishop had a very positive effect on the river and riparian habitat. Are the flows now consistently reaching Owens Lake? It’s a spectacular valley, only thing is I can’t stand the anglers coming up from LA; they have little respect and seem to specialize in low-holing me

 

[Doublebluff]

Great stuff- thanks for taking the time to post the pics and the narrative.

 

[Florida Man]

The scenery here is so interesting. I am still surprised that creek seems to spring out of nothing. This looks like it could have been a filming location for Mad Max. lol.

 

[SculpinSwinger]

It’s probably been 10 years since I was last in the area, wondering how the drought conditions have affected the lower Owens restoration project, https://www.inyowater.org/projects/lorp/.
When I was there the increased flows south of Bishop had a very positive effect on the river and riparian habitat. Are the flows now consistently reaching Owens Lake? It’s a spectacular valley, only thing is I can’t stand the anglers coming up from LA; they have little respect and seem to specialize in low-holing me

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Continues its Commitment to the Preservation and Restoration of the Owens Valley

www.ladwpnews.com

I highly recommend the surreal monuments to what what was destroyed the LADWP created on the lake bed as part of the mitigation project. Visitors center near Lone Pine will direct you.

Owens Lake Trails Plover Wing Plaza: California Eastern Sierra

Vist the Owens Lake Trails and the Plover Wing Plaza near Lone Pine California. Wetlands, land art, hiking trails, magnificent mountain views

www.daytrippen.com

 

[Divad]

The Sierras have a certain shock-n-awe to them, encapsulated by the tans and browns of the dessert floor, the snow caps jut up to the sky with such vigor!

Love the photos @SculpinSwinger

 

[John Svahn]

I almost was born and raised in Bishop. My Dad worked for ca division of highways and really liked to backpack and fly fish. He put in for a transfer…. And didnt get it. So my sister was born in Sac and i was born in Virginia.
Love me some east side! The bridgeport area is day tripable from my home but only get south to the valley once every five years or so.