Welcome to Spring!
Recent — and most welcome — spring showers are bringing wildflowers to life and keeping mountain peaks adorned with fresh snow — scenic photo ops abound in Eastern Sierra during Memorial Day Weekend May 24-26, 2014. Read on for a great list of things to do now, and throughout the season!
Share your adventures with us on our Eastern Sierra Facebook Page!
Pictured: Footbridge over West Walker River at Leavitt Meadows. For more on our Featured Eastern Sierra Hike of the Month, see below. Photo: May 11, 2014/ Mono County Tourism.
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Fishing: “Trout are Biting!”
Lakes Thawed and Stocking Underway
High elevation lakes have thawed earlier than usual this spring, and Trophy Trout stocking has begun in many of Mono County’s favorite fishing spots! Pictured here: Big Virginia Lake, located between Bridgeport and Lee Vining, on May 17th. And mark your calendars for two events coming soon:
Hangman’s Bonus Derby Weekend
June 6-8, Convict Lake
Bridgeport Trout Tournament
June 21, Bridgeport
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Horseback Riding Adventures
See the Wild Mustangs!
Ride, camp, and view herds of wild Mustangs on a fabulous 4-day trip:
May 24-27 (Rock Creek Pack Station, Frontier Pack Train)
May 31-June 3 (Rock Creek Pack Station)
June 7-10 (Rock Creek Pack Station, Frontier Pack Train)
Details:
Rockcreekpackstation.com
Frontierpacktrain.com
Short on time? Half-day trips are available, too. Browse all Eastern Sierra Pack Stations here: MonoCounty.org
Pictured: Wild Mustangs at Sage Hen Summit, photo by Donna Mercer.
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Featured Hike of the Month:
Leavitt Meadows to Secret Lake
Pictured: Leavitt Falls Viewpoint on Rte. 108 has restrooms and viewing platform.
The Leavitt Meadows Trailhead to Secret Lake (Roosevelt and Lane Lakes, too) is located at the Leavitt Meadows Campground. From the east end of the campground, cross the West Walker River via a beautiful , recently constructed foot bridge. After about a 1/4 mile, the trail splits — stay to your right and follow the river if you want to take the longer but easiest route. Perfect for kids! Go left for a shorter but much steeper climb to Secret Lake, roughly 6.5 miles round-trip.Getting here: Leavitt Meadows is on the east side of Sonora Pass (Rte. 108). Day parking is located about 100 feet west of the campground. Bring water, sunscreen, jacket (weather can change quickly) and — of course — your camera!
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You’re Invited to Bodie Ghost Town…AT NIGHT!
New Tour: Bodie Ghost Walk & Star Stories
The largest unrestored ghost town in the west, Bodie State Historic Park, opens its doors to visitors until 10 p.m. for three special evenings this summer —
Bodie Ghost Walk & Star Stories
June 28 * July 26 * August 15
Adults: $15 / Kids: $7
(in addition to Park Entrance Fee)
Explore the town on your own or join a Bodie historian for an evening stroll down Main Street to hear all the best Bodie ghost stories and legends, PLUS a “tour” of the night sky with an astronomer!
MUST BOOK IN ADVANCE:
www.BodieFoundation.org or call 760.647.6564
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Museums Open for Memorial Day Weekend
 Mono County Museum in Bridgeport opens May 23. Experience the pioneer spirit from the 1800s through a fascinating collection of artifacts and photography.The Old School House Museum and Upside Down House in Lee Vining are open for summer. Enjoy an extensive collection of old farming and mining equipment, the Upside Down House, Native American artifacts, and sweeping views of Mono Lake.
Check out the fun video below of Huell Howser visiting the Upside Down House a few years ago on California’s Gold!
Pictured: Mono County Museum
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| Huell Howser Visits the Upside Down House |
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Memorial Day Weekend Flight Schedule
Get to Mammoth Lakes in one oh-so-scenic hour!
 Los Angeles to MMH on Alaska Air
Saturday flights
Through May 31, 2014
Depart LAX 8:40am, Arrive MMH 9:54am
Depart MMH 10:25am, Arrive LAX 11:47amSunday-Friday flights
Through June 1, 2014
Depart LAX 3:50pm, Arrive MMH 5:06pm
Depart MMH 5:37pm, Arrive LAX 6:52pm
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In the News: W.O.N. Re-Caps Eastern Sierra Fishing Opening Day
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Big Trout Providing Early Season Thrills:
“As good as we’ve seen in decades…”
Photo from Western Outdoor News: Eastern Sierra Report
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Mountain Passes WILL REOPEN – May 22 at Noon!
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Spring snow showers closed mountain passes temporarily but Caltrans reports Hwy. 120/Tioga Pass, Hwy. 108/Sonora Pass, and Hwy. 89/Monitor Pass in the Eastern Sierra should be open again tomorrow (May 22) by Noon. Be sure to check Caltrans Road Conditions before you travel.
Pictured: The YARTS bus lets you take a passenger seat on the hour-long ride from Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite. Service begins June 1.
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Golf Courses Open!
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Opening Day: May 23, 2014*
*Subject to change due to weather
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| Hundreds of Campsites Open |
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KOA Comes to Walker/Coleville!
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Meadowcliff RV Resort is now the NEW Walker/Coleville KOA! The adjacent motel, Meadowcliff Lodge, remains under the Meadowcliff name, and guests can expect the same excellent service that has won Meadowcliff consecutive annual awards for the past 5 years!
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Eastern Sierra ATV/UTV Jamboree – LAST CALL!
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Better late, than never! Registration is being extended for the few spots still open in the annual Eastern Sierra ATV/UTV Jamboree, June 10-14 in Walker/Coleville. Amazing tours, local guides, wonderful people! SIGN UP NOW! Pictured: ATV/UTV trail high above Antelope Valley, 2013 Eastern Sierra ATV/UTV Jamboree
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Facebook Snapshots:
WATERFALL SEASON is NOW! |
Nevada Fall, Yosemite National Park, May 4, 2014
Vernal Fall, Yosemite National Park, May 4, 2014
Lundy Canyon Falls, Lee Vining, May 17, 2014
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