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High Sierras
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High Sierras Overview
Definitely, our favorite region in California. The Sierras offer the highest peak in North America's lower 48 states, ghost towns, giant sequoia forests, recreational lakes, abundant natural wonders and several ski resorts. This region is superb for camping, fishing, hiking, golfing and many other outdoor activities.
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Yosemite is renowned as one of the world's natural wonders, Yosemite is an expansive playground of glacier-carved granite. Natural features include shear granite walls rising thousands of feet in elavation, waterfalls, meadows and many lakes and streams. There is so much to see and do in Yosemite we've dedicated an entire page on it alone. MORE DETAILS
Sequoia-Kings Canyon is a huge wilderness area with camping, fishing, hiking, rock climbing, caving and picnicking. Park features include giant redwood forests, waterfalls, and caves. MORE DETAILS
Manzanar is the site of a World War II relocation camp for citizens of Japanese descent. Little remains of the original camp. A museum contains artifacts left behind and historical facts and documents about the camp. MORE DETAILS
Devil's Postpile features one of the world's finest examples of columnar basalt. A wall of black, hexagonal columns rise 60-feet high from the hiking trail. A few miles further on the same trail will place you at the massive Rainbow Falls. MORE DETAILS
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Calaveras Big Trees is a giant redwood forest with a self-guided trail and campgrounds. Activities include hiking and camping. Some campgrounds are located adjacent to the redwood forest but other, more secluded camps, are further into the park. MORE DETAILS
Sugar Pine Point offers a pristine forest at Lake Tahoe's edge. A featured attraction is a mansion built in 1903 known as Pine Lodge. MORE DETAILS
D. L. Bliss hugs the edge of Lake Tahoe's southwest shores and features hiking trails and vistas of the lake. From some of these trails you can see a hundred feet or more into the depths of crystal clear Lake Tahoe. MORE DETAILS
Emerald Bay is a cove that was once a separate lake from Lake Tahoe and contains some of the clearest water on the lake. The only island on Lake Tahoe is in Emerald Bay and is just large enough to support a tiny stone tea house that is an extension of the Vikingsholm castle onshore. MORE DETAILS
Grover Hot Springs is in one of the most beautiful and remote regions in the entire state. The highlight of Grover Hot Springs are several heated mineral pools that are enjoyed by visitors as well as locals from the area. A large campground is within walking distance of the pools. MORE DETAILS
Bodie Ghost Town is tucked in the high sierra foothills. This town of 20 grew to a thriving city when gold was discovered in 1877. Within a few short years the gold ran out and the town was completely abandoned. Stories of rampant crime and gun battles are left for visitors to envision. MORE DETAILS
Mono Lake is a large but shallow lake and is one of the oldest lakes in North America. Mono tufas are mineral deposits that protrude above the lake's surface. The water is 2.5 times saltier than the ocean, which results in additional bouyancy when swimming. MORE DETAILS
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Mammoth Lakes is known by most as a great skiing destination. Many visitors only visit Mammoth in the winter and don't realize the volume of activities and attractions that await in the summer. Mammoth Mountain is an active volcano and with that comes wonderful geological formations and natural wonders. Camping, hiking and fishing are popular summer activities throughout the region. Many small lakes are within a short distance of the town of Mammoth Lakes and are plentiful with stocked trout. There's so much to see and do in Mammoth that we've dedicated an entire page to this location. MORE DETAILS
Convict Lake is a moderate-size lake but very deep. Huge granite walls protrude thousands of feet above the lake making for ominous scenery. It is an undeveloped area and offers many activities including fishing, boating hiking camping, horseback riding and more. MORE DETAILS
June Lake is one of our little secrets we're letting out. June has a large ski resort, quaint country cabins, several great fishing lakes, hiking, and horseback trails. On a crowded ski day at Mammoth it is not unusual to be able to ski right up to the lift at June. For the fishermen, boat rentals and bait shops are available at several lakes around the loop. Horse stables are located at the western side of the loop, offering horseback riding by the hour or extended pack trips. Or, just add a few more minutes to your i395 trip by taking the incredibly scenic June Lake Loop turn-off. You won't regret it. The northern portion of the loop is closed during winter. MORE DETAILS
Twin Lakes holds the record for the largest brown trout caught in California. Twin Lakes offers camping, hiking, kayaking or canoeing, and terrific fishing. MORE DETAILS
Lake Tahoe is a massive alpine lake tucked away in the Northern Sierras. With its 22-mile length, 12-mile width and 1600-foot depth, Lake Tahoe is the second largest alpine lake in the world - and big fish to match. The crystal blue waters of Lake Tahoe are compared to the turquoise waters of the Carribean. The Nevada and California state line splits the lake down the center. On the Nevada side are several casinos from the large-scale Harrah's and Harvey's to the rustic Biltmore and historic CalNeva. Being only 4-hours from San Francisco and less than an hour from Reno, Tahoe is a popular playground with plenty to do. Popular activities included swimming, boating, skiing, camping, fishing, gambling, golfing and so much more. There's so much we can tell you about Tahoe that we've dedicated an entire page to this location. MORE DETAILS
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Ski Resorts are situated throughout the Sierra Nevada range. Tahoe has over a dozen world-class ski resorts with some of the best views we've ever experienced. Competition between so many resorts can lead to lift ticket bargains and zero lift lines. Mammoth is a large volcanic mountain in the Central Sierras. Being the closest major ski resort to the L.A. basin, Mammoth is often crowded after heavy snowfalls. The town population of over 8,000 provides plenty of accommodations, restaurants and entertainment. June is only 30-minutes north of Mammoth and surprising is rarely crowded. The small community is sandwiched between large lakes and granite mountains. MORE DETAILS
Crosscountry Skiing / Snowshoeing resorts are located in the Mammoth and Tahoe Regions. Everything from ski/hike-in resorts and trails of less than a mile to the massive 9,000 acre Royal Gorge in Tahoe are accessible in the Sierras. Most trails are groomed for track and skate-style skiing. MORE DETAILS
Snowmobiling / Dog Sledding are both picking up in popular in the Sierras. Both Mammoth and Tahoe offer guided tours or self-guided adventures. Terrain includes open meadows, snow-covered roads, and scenic points throughout the forest. Dog sledding adventures are mostly guided with the customers riding in the basket as a large pack of dogs wisks you through the forest. MORE DETAILS
Mountain Biking trails abound throughout the Sierras. Many of the ski resorts in Mammoth and Tahoe offer downhill only trails by utilizing ski lifts during the summer. In addition to this, mountain biking trails can be found throughout wooded areas along dirt roads and shared hiking trails. The Alabama Hills out of Lone Pine are a popular and very picturesque MTB hotspot. MORE DETAILS
Off-Roading is popular throughout the Mammoth region. Dirt roads web and serpentine throughout the forest and lead to popular destinations like hot springs, lookout points, geological marvels and more. Many of the areas ghost towns and abandoned mines are accessible via dirt roads. MORE DETAILS
Horseback Riding is available through multiple stables and ranches throughout the Sierras. Whether it be Lake Tahoe, Yosemite or a secluded lake outside of Bishop, your trip is sure to present outstanding vistas and an unforgettable experience. MORE DETAILS
Casinos in the Sierras range from small Indian casinos to the large establishements like Harrah's and Tahoe Biltmore. Gambling in the Sierras is a unique experience with so many outdoor activities available. Gambling often takes second stage to the daytime activities and provides a terrific source of nighttime entertainment. MORE DETAILS
Hot Air Ballooning along the Sierra Nevada range in a seven person wicker basket. Help your crew in getting your balloon to rise with the sun. Float above lakes and streams throughout the Mammoth or Tahoe regions. Share a "balloonist toast" to commemorate your epic adventure. Transportation is provided to carry passengers back from the landing zone. MORE DETAILS
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Miscellaneous Recommendations
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Mt. Whitney is the highest peak in the lower 48 states at 14,395 feet. Permits are required for hiking and obtainable at the Mt. Whitney Ranger Station in Lone Pine. This is a serious 11 mile hike to the summit with several base camps along the way for acclimation. MORE DETAILS
Alabama Hills is a beautiful rock upwelling landscape that has been worn by centuries of severe weather conditions. Many old western movies, TV commercials and videos were filmed here. MORE DETAILS
Bishop maintains a country charm. Fishing, camping and backpacking are the main attractions to Bishop. Also found in Bishop is the famous Schats Bakery, an indian casino, the nearby manzanar national historic site and quick access to the Mammoth Mountain Resort. MORE DETAILS
Bridgeport is a quaint little town situated in a high altitude meadow used for farming. This is the place if you are a fisherman. Even if you're just passing through, stop by the Bridgeport Inn for a meal, cup of coffee or some excellent, small-town hospitality. Bridgeport offers several nearby attractions. MORE DETAILS
Rainbow Falls is an enormous waterfall depending on yearly rainfall and swimming is allowed at the base. It is located just a few miles further along the trail from Devil's Postpile. MORE DETAILS
Hot Springs can be found throughout the Mammoth region due to volcanic activity. Many of the springs are accessible by driving a short distance along dirt roads. Mineral rich super-heated water stains surrounding rocks white revealing aqua blue pools. Aquatic grass grows thick through the warmest areas. Keough's Hot Springs is a swimming retreat just south of Bishop that captures the hot mineral-rich water in large swimming pools. Visitors are invited to swim in the waters. MORE DETAILS
Camping is abundant throughout the High Sierras. On our Camping Page you will find useful information such as map, reservation and website links as well as details on campground amenities and a 'what to pack' check-off list. MORE DETAILS
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None in this region.
Options to consider would be
Fresno Yosemite International airport offering access to the southern and central Sierras, Sacramento airport offering access to the northern Sierras, or Ontario International airport offering distant access to the eastern Sierras.
Reno/Tahoe International offers quick access to Lake Tahoe and the Northern Sierras.
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Traffic & Transportation
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Interstate 395 - from the south can be crowded in the winter months with skiers/boarders from the L.A. basin. Both Highway 14 and Interstate 395 are trecherous two-lane roads for a 50-mile stretch south of Inyokern. Snow chains or 4wd with snow tires are sometimes required from Bishop to Mammoth. Roads are quickly plowed after snow storms.
Interstate 395 - from the north is a less traveled portion of the Interstate. Snow chains or 4wd with snow tires are often required from the Nevada state line to the June Lake Loop. Roads are quickly plowed after snow storms. The high elevation region between state line and Mono Lake can be subject to temporary road closures due to heavy snow.
Interstate 80 & Highway 50 are both subject to temporary closures during snow storms and chains are often required. Both highways connect Sacramento to the Carson Valley in Nevada. Highway 50 is a little more narrow and windy than the 80 and is often snowed in a little longer.
Highways 4, 108, & 120 out of Gold Country and Yosemite to the west, remain closed through the Winter with no attempts to clear them until Spring.
Public transportation is good throughout the High Sierras.
Eastern Sierra Transit Authority offers transportation options between Carson City, Nevada and Lone Pine.
Mammoth offers a FREE Shuttle service that covers the entire town of Mammoth Lakes.
Tahoe offers inexpensive bus, shuttle and trolley service throughout North Lake Tahoe aboard TART (Tahoe Area Rapid Transit) and South Lake Tahoe aboard Go Blue.
The high mileage between towns and airports should be considered when choosing rental car as a mode of transportation. Because of the steep gains in altitude, Amtrak unable to provide service to this region.Greyhound is an alternative option.
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Winter brings lows in the 10's and highs in the 50's. Heavy snow is common causing road closures.
Spring brings average lows in the 30's and highs in the 60's. Rain showers are likely and occassional snow storms.
Summer brings average lows in the 60's and highs in the 80's. Occassional thunderstorms with immediate clearing.
Fall brings lows in the 30's and highs in the 60's. Thunderstorms increasing to snow flurries.
NOTE: See our TIPS page for mountain precautions.
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Lake Tahoe
Mar 5-14, 2010 - North Lake Tahoe Snow Festival is a 10-day event featuring concerts, parades, competitions, food and other festivities. All of the regions ski resorts help in hosting events. Wacky events include the Dummy Downhill, Polar Bear Swim, I-Dida-Run Dog Pull, Snow Sculpture Contest and more. WEBSITE
Jul 09 - Aug 22, 2010 - Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival offers over a month of Shakespearian perfomances 7-nights a week. Bring your wine, cheese and blankets to Sand Harbor Resort for a night with Shakespeare under the stars. WEBSITE
Aug 28, 2010 - Lake in the Sky Air Show takes place at the Lake Tahoe Airport and features top aerobatic performers, modern military warbirds like the F-18, Harrier and Blackhawk, water drop demonstrations, helicopter rides and more.. WEBSITE
Sep 10-12, 2010 - Great Reno Balloon Race is a 3-day event where Balloonists from around the nation converge on Reno to paint the sky with color. Multiple hot air-balloons rise thousands of feet above Carson Valley and compete in piloting competitions. WEBSITE
Oct 2-3, 2010 - Kokanee Salmon Festival is a 2-day event held at the Vistor Center at Taylor Creek. This event is centered around the return of Kokanee Salmon to their spawning grounds in the creek. Nature walks lead visitors to the salmon-filled Taylor Creek to view this natural wonder. Festivities include a barbequed-salmon feed, coloring and painting activities, wildlife displays and an interactive childrens play. WEBSITE
Bridgeport
Jul 4, 2010 - Bridgeport's Annual 4th of July Celebration is a three day tradition started in 1862 includes a parade on Main Street, booths featuring arts and crafts, competitive contests, cowboy poetry, concerts, rodeo, a dance and the popular lakeside fireworks display. WEBSITE
Yosemite
Mammoth
Bishop
May 24-28, 2011 - Mule Days is the region's largest annual event held every Memorial Day weekend as back country mule and horse packers celebrate the opening of the summer packing season. World's largest non-motorized parade, events include rodeo-style packing competitions, concerts, crafts fair and more. WEBSITE
Lone Pine
Oct 8-10, 2010 - Lone Pine Film Festival celebrates the long history between Lone Pine and the Hollywood motion picture industry. Over 400 films have been shot in the Lone Pine region since the 1920's. Festivities include movie showings, concerts, film location tours, dinners and more. WEBSITE
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