Opening Day is Soon

Yes, the much anticipated opening day of fishing is coming soon to the Eastern Sierra! Crowley Lake will be wall to wall boats and all the popular places with be crowded. Crossing our highway will not be easy, but the excitement is contagious.

And by total accident, we found a little treasure of fish laying in wait near Independence, California. We were there for some county business and decided to head up toward Onion Valley; another place for which we have seen the sign for years, but kept on heading north. But since the really steep and winding road was not open to the top, we took a dirt road south with no idea of where we were going. Yes, all who wander are not lost, they are just exploring.

We were headed south and west closer to the mountains, I decided to experiment with a dark ND filter to try and catch the moving clouds over the mountains.





And then there was a typical and beautiful desert creek that flowed from the mountains. I know the name of the creek, but I cannot give it away.



By a deep pool near a small DWP spillway John spotted these trout --- and while it might not show in the picture, they were all very nice sized!



We are sure some locals have them all staked out for opening day and we won't give the location away.

Oh, the dirt road we were on ended back near the highway with a fence --- opps, but we found another way to get around the fences near Manzanar.

When one is in that area, do visit the Eastern Sierra Museum in Independence. While we have been there before, it is always worth a visit. There are inside exhibits for the rock and minerals from that area, the early mining history, Native American history, information and history from Manzanar, and lots of outside exhibits --- buildings, equipment, etc.



As my sons have both been involved in mountain climbing, I couldn't resist taking pictures of the pictures of Norman Clyde who is credited with over 100 first ascents in the Sierras. I loved the equipment he was using in comparison to today! He was an amazing person



And since I have always loved hiking in the Sierras, I just loved this photo of hikers from long ago. Is the one hiker really wearing a tie?



OK, I love hiking, but I do not like heights and that Citibank commercial just gives me a queasy stomach, so I was taken by this photo from 1931.



It is worth stopping in Independence and visiting the museum on the way north on 395, and the back roads can lead to some nice not so popular fishing areas.

Thanks Udo --- it really is fun for me to experiment and one of the advantages of digital is that it is easy to just throw away most of the shots.

We went hiking today up the North Fork of the Big Pine and I did not take my camera. I have my eye on the second generation Canon Mirrorless camera that is supposed to come out in the fall; that is if all the rumors are correct. I look forward to having a lightweight camera in tow while hiking!

Thanks Bob --- this area is definitely mother nature at her best. Yesterday a hike, today a back road drive, the chores have just taken a back seat!

Neat Stop

Those photos remind me to check out my spring fishing gear....and my hiking boots! As to dulferditz rappelling up or down the 'Milk Bottle'...I'll pass. I wouldn't want to put any mountain goats in harms way.

Bravo Diane...Encore!

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano Those photos remind me to check out my spring fishing gear....and my hiking boots! As to dulferditz rappelling up or down the 'Milk Bottle'...I'll pass. I wouldn't want to put any mountain goats in harms way. Bravo Diane...Encore!

Thanks Roger, but are you sure you would not want to climb up The Milk Bottle? It would make a wonderful picture for one of your great travelogues.

Thanks Igor. On our long dirt road drive yesterday, I again wanted to experiment with the N/D filters, but somehow on the way to the car, the battery fell out of my camera, and my filters don't fit John's camera! Oh well, I may post a couple of pictures anyway; we seem to be on a permanent vacation around here and loving it.

I am hoping to get up early enough on opening day just to go out and look for some pictures. I have seen Crowley lake in the past where one could almost walk from boat to boat, but I don't know what it is like today. They are expecting most of the high country lakes to be open. Crazy fun times.

And Bob, thanks for the link.

Crowley Lake