Busy in Bishop

 

We are now happily parked at “Camp Lazy Daze” in the Volcanic Tablelands BLM area just north of Bishop, CA. Jeanne had to take Riley to the vet on Saturday so we gave her the coordinates of where we stayed in 2013 and she found it vacant. Riley had a seizure but is now on a couple of medications and doing fine.

Can’t beat our views of the White Mountains.

This is a nice area to walk, with a nearby trail to some petroglyphs.

Looks like the kids were coloring on the walls again.

Wanting to do a hike we missed when we were here before, we drove south to Big Pine to the North Fork Trail. It was a perfect hiking day, in the upper 50s and calm at the 7,800’ elevation of the trail head. And only two other vehicles there.

There are several nice looking vacation cabins at the beginning of the trail.

The trail follows Big Pine Creek with views of  the Pallisades, a group of peaks in the central Sierra Nevada ranging from 13,000-14,200’ and containing the southernmost glacier in the US.

All the creek crossings had bridges so no wet feet.

First falls.

We were surprised at the number of wildflowers and blooming manzanitas along the trail.

We continued on along the North Fork trail because our goal was the Lon Chaney cabin at three miles in.

We gained 1,400’ of elevation but most of it was a gradual climb on switchbacks. The steepest parts of the trail had rock steps, but we were both getting a bit light headed from not being accustomed to hiking at over 8,000’. Luckily we stopped for a loaf of Energy Bread at Schat’s bakery on the way, which kept us going.

Second falls can be seen way off in the distance, then the trail switches back alongside the falls. It’s a 100’ cascade and is never visible in it’s entirety from the trail.

Great scenery everywhere.

After 3 miles we finally reached the cabin, which is now a little used forest service ranger camp but was built in 1929-30 for actor Lon Chaney, Sr. This is a good article about the cabin if you’re interested.

The front porch faces the creek where he would fish for trout. A very serene setting.

Our friends had their own little adventure that day at McGee Creek, so none of us were in the mood to cook. A good excuse to try out Mountain Rambler Brewery in Bishop. Jim liked the Seven Gable Scottish Ale, and I really liked the Inconsolable Double IPA. They have a veggie burger and the food was good, too.

Jim, Jeanne, Mary and David.

The next day we went to the Buttermilks, a world famous bouldering area just west of Bishop. Not that we’re into climbing, but it’s a gorgeous area to hike around and do some rock scrambling, which we also did in 2013.

You can barely see David down there, but he gives some perspective to how huge these boulders are.

Jim, do you think I can make it?

As high as I care to go.

But Jim always has to outdo me.

These guys were doing some serious bouldering.

They made it look effortless, no harnesses or ropes, just climbed up the side of the rock.

Practicing so it’s not far to fall.

I didn’t have the strength or the nerve to get both feet off the ground but it was fun trying.

Lots more flowers.

And we drove on a little a little farther to check out another area. It’s all good.

The weather is looking iffy for the next few days so not sure what’s in store. We’ll figure it out as we go.