Another Trip to Bishop

Back to Bishop! This time I split the drive with a camp out in Hanapah.

Just beautiful! 

The desert bloom was in effect.

I stumbled upon this amazing petroglyph! Sloth?

Brilliant sunrise

Took a stroll around the old Hanapah townsite.

Ghost car

Old hopper. The mind shaft is down, lower right. This was a silver mining district.

Parting shot.

Mary and I took a fine hike to Lower Lamarck Lake. Icicles!

Looking back at the Paiute Crags

Mary. Cruising.

Lower Lamarck Lake with Mt George Davis right. This peak was also named Mt Thoreau apparently by those unaware of the previous name.

Looking up at the Sierra crest with Mt Lamarck center right.

A few days later Mary and I followed up with a short hike up Pine Creek.

The Pine Creek mine and mill site. Tungsten!

I did a fair amount of riding in Bishop too. Got out with Bill, Leslie, Joel, and Chris for a redo of "Circle the Devil." So name because it circumnavigates Casa Diablo Peak. Previous post here

Bill and Chris head up the intriguing Chidago Canyon

Joel cruised fine gravel near the high point of the ride.

I also rode one of my favorite routes from Mary's in Wilkerson. Early to beat the heat!

Wrapped up the trip with a hike up Lundy Canyon with my buddy Jim. Wintery with the occasional snowflake drifting in the air.

Lundy Canyon bayou.

Jim enjoys the crisp air, big views, and lush green vegetation.

The waterfalls were cranking too.

Hiking this time of year is terrific. The temps are pleasant, there's no mosquitos, no one on the trails, flowers are starting to pop, and the higher snow fields accentuate the peaks. Love it!

The Eastern Sierra delivers again!
 

Kirch WMA Gravel Riding

I took another trip down to Kirch Wildlife Management Area (WMA), camped overnight, and did two terrific gravel rides. 

 Tons of waterfowl were on these reservoirs although none in this photo. Hah!

At least I got a lone Coot in this one.

Set up camp and went for a two hour ride to loosen the legs.

The next morning dawned bright, cool, and clear. The Grant Range was topped with recent snowfall.

What's more iconic than a windmill? It appears this one's still in service.

The not so mighty White River.

Remote! Beautiful! Sensational riding! This is the northern end of the Golden Gate Range in Great Basin National Monument.

Ended the day with a soak in the Sunnyside warm spring.

 Hard to beat!

Flowers!

One of the great things about visiting Bishop in spring is the abundance of flowers.

Out riding I came across these gorgeous Delphinium.

 Mary and I went for a flower drive out the Eureka Valley Road. The Joshua Trees were in full bloom there.

I love how they change so dramatically as they age.

Claret Cup Cactus.  Probably the most photographed cacti around a it's nearly impossible to miss as one drives by.

Paintbrush was busting out everywhere.

Indigo Bush

Delicate Mallow

Beavertail

Fat!

We went for a pleasant little hike above Cowhorn Valley too.

 Terrific outing!

Mt Gould Ski

 Next up Chris and I elected to ski the East Face of Mt Gould. I first hiked this peak in 1980. Skied it in 2003. Skied it again here in 2026, so I guess I'm on the 23 year program!

Chris hikes up on firm, early morning snow. The peak is back left. 

A bit higher up our route came into view. We would climb and ski the broad bowl like feature left, diagonal right beneath the summit, then take a short left traverse to the ridge.

Chris is all smiles (as usual!) while hiking the bowl.

Tremendous views of the High Sierra!

Random guy on the summit block.

 No descent photos. I was tired! Conditions were similar to our Wahoo outing. Good skiing on textured, soft snow. Great to be back. Probably won't make it in another 23 years. I'll be 86!