Eastern Sierra Tourism - Travel to Eastern Sierra
The Eastern Sierra is the remote east side of the Sierra Nevada region of California. The desert-like yearly rainfalls compete with small streams coming out 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 traveller are various and plentiful.
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Cities in Eastern Sierra
- Bridgeport
- Lee Vining
- Mammoth -- Good, cheap place to stay in summer when visiting the entire region.
- Bishop
- Big Pine
- Independence
- Lone Pine
Other destinations - Travel to Eastern Sierra
- Mono Lake
- Manzanar -- Internment camp where American citizens of Japanese descent were imprisoned during World War II
- Bristlecone Pines -- At 5000 years of age, these are the oldest trees on the planet.
- Mammoth Mountain -- Skiing in winter. Mountain bike riding 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.
- Fishing -- Mountain lakes and abundant small streams are much sought after by fishermen.
- Hiking -- Many trails lead up into the mountains
Understand Eastern Sierra Tourism
The Sierra Nevada mountain range has an unusual shape. The range 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, you can look straight up to the 14000 foot snow-capped top.
This extreme change in height explains why there are no roads across the Sierra between Kernville and Mono Lake. In winter most 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 rainshadow 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 little for the Eastern Sierra. In fact, all streams on the east side of the Sierra Nevada evaporate (generally in a salty desert lake such as Mono Lake or Owens Lake) before they can lead to the Ocean.
The Eastern Sierra is loaded with things to do for recreation. All towns in this region cater to the traveller, so lodging and food are plentiful. Travelling in this area can be very affordable, particularly in summer.
The Owens Valley is a single huge valley that extends from Bishop south to Owens Lake. In this area, the road is flat and straight, with small towns every ten miles or so. There are no forests along US 395 here.
North of Bishop is more mountainous. US 395 curves a bit in this area, but it's still a very fast road. Except for the region around Mono Lake which is quite barren, there are sparse forests along US 395 throughout this region.
Get into Eastern Sierra
- 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 in Eastern Sierra
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.
Stay safe - Eastern Sierra Tourism
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.
Get out
