The Eastern Sierra is the remote east side of the Sierra Nevada region of California. The desert-like yearly rainfalls compete with small streams draining down from the snow-covered mountains to create a barren land with regions of verdant green.
The largest industry in the Eastern Sierra is tourism. Lodging and campsites are plentiful. Activities that appeal to the traveler are various and plentiful.
Regions
The southern portion of the Eastern Sierra is a narrow flat valley extending 125 mi (200 km) from Owens Lake north to the Owens Gorge. The vast majority of the Owens Valley is private property owned by the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The Owens Valley is flanked by spectacular mountain ranges rising abruptly from the valley floor—to the west the High Sierra, and to the east the Inyo and White mountain ranges. Nearly all lands above the valley floor are owned by federal agencies.
Upper Owens
North of Bishop (elevation 5900 ft {1800 m}) the terrain rises 3280 ft (1000 m) in 18 mi (30 km). At the top of this rise is the enormous Long Valley Caldera, a broad basin ringed by the Sierra Nevada to the west and the Glass Mountains to the east. North of the caldera the terrain rises gradually through forests of endemic Jeffery Pine trees to the divide between the Owens Lake and Mono Lake at around 9,800 ft (3000 m) elevation. Much of the land in this region, and further north in the Eastern Sierra, is owned by federal agencies but lands near watercourses are likely to be in private ownership.
This is an interesting lake fairly close to Yosemite but with scenery nothing like its popular neighbor. Mono Lake is a salty desert scene with odd rock formations (tufas) along the shoreline of the lake. Development is limited around Mono Lake, which also means limited options and facilities for tourists.
East Walker River
From the divide at around 9,800 ft (3000 m), the terrain falls gradually into the Bridgeport Basin and the town of Bridgeport at 6,500 ft (2000 m). The East Walker, dammed to form Bridgeport Reservoir, flows east through the valley separating the Bodie Hills from the Sweetwater Mountains. To the north the rise to the divide between the east and west forks of the Walker is a mild climb to 9,100 ft (2800 m).
West Walker River
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Cities
- Bridgeport -- County seat of Mono County. A classic western courthouse continually in use since the late 1800s.
- Lee Vining -- Closest town to Mono Lake; has access to Yosemite. Best gas station food on Planet Earth.
- Mammoth -- Best known for its ski resort, it's also a good, cheap place to stay in summer when visiting the region.
- Bishop -- Largest town in the Eastern Sierra. It has a hospital, chain stores (K-mart, Rite-Aid, etc.), and world-class climbing & fishing.
- Big Pine
- Independence -- Home to the Eastern Sierra Museum - a treasure in the heart of the Eastern Sierras.
- Lone Pine -- Mt Whitney trailhead. Interagency visitor center for Eastern Sierra & Death Valley.
Other destinations
- Bodie -- State Historic Park, a "ghost town" once famous for mining, purposefully maintained in a state of "arrested decay" by the California State Parks. Located between Bridgeport and Mono Lake east of U.S. 395.
- Devils Postpile National Monument
- Mono Lake
- Manzanar -- Internment camp where American citizens of Japanese descent were imprisoned during World War II
- Bristlecone Pines At nearly 5000 years of age, these are believed the oldest living trees on the planet. They are found on numerous desert ranges reaching into the subalpine zone, however the main interpretive sites are at Schulman and Patriarch Groves in the White Mountains. This range also has California's third-highest peak and extensive opportunities for day hikes and multi-day backpacks. Access to the main groves from 395 is via a 24 mile drive starting near the town of Big Pine.
- Mammoth Mountain -- Ski area in the winter; becomes fantastic mountain bike park in summer.
- Mount Whitney -- Highest point in the 48 contiguous United States
- Owens River -- Mostly gone. To visit the water, travel to Los Angeles.
- Owens Lake -- A dry lake now. Before Los Angeles was built, steamship service took passengers across the lake.
Understand
The Sierra Nevada mountain range, like most ranges in the lower-48 states, runs north to south. Approaching the Sierra Nevada from the west is a very gradual process of small hills leading to larger hills, leading to small mountains, and so on. The east is a sheer cliff in comparison. At 4000 feet of elevation near Lone Pine, one can look straight up to the 14,505 ft (4,421 m) snow-capped top of Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the United States outside Alaska.
This extreme change in elevation explains why there are no roads across the Sierra between Kernville and Mono Lake. In winter all but one of the passes are closed, and there are no crossings between Kernville and Lake Tahoe.
The Eastern Sierra receives very little rainfall because it lies in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada. Since weather systems generally approach the Eastern Sierra from the west or southwest, they dump most of their moisture onto the western flanks of the Sierra Nevada, leaving only a small amount for the Eastern Sierra.
The Eastern Sierra is part of the Great Basin. Water that falls in the Great Basin does not flow naturally into an ocean. Instead, water flows into various inland lakes such as Mono Lake and Walker Lake.
Large amounts of water are captured at the surface or pumped from the ground, and diverted to Los Angeles.
Get in
- From the Los Angeles region, take US 395 north.
- From the Lake Tahoe or Reno areas, take US 395 south
- From Yosemite National Park, take SR 120 east to US 395
Get around
US 395 runs from north to south through the entire Eastern Sierra.
Some of the passes on US 395 require snow chains during or shortly after snowstorms in the winter. Since you can't predict mountain weather, plan on carrying chains if you travel north of Bishop during the winter.
See
Do
- Fishing — Mountain lakes and abundant small streams are much sought after by fishermen.
- Hiking — Many trails lead up into the mountains
- Mammoth Lakes is a popular skiing destination for people in the southern half of California.
Stay safe
In winter, the higher elevations north of Bishop are subject to mountain storms. Be prepared with snow chains for cars, or even road closures.
In summer, the lower elevations in Bishop and further south can be quite hot. Stay hydrated, and you'll avoid headaches (from dehydration) or worse.