Eastsiders

California’s Sierra Nevada is considered by many people (including me) to be possibly the greatest recreational mountain area in the world. The southern section of the range is unique because of its several hundred miles of unbroken wilderness (south of Tioga Pass). Unbelievable in a state as developed and populous as ours.

Dad and I are fond of approaching from the east side in Owens Valley because the mountain escarpment rises so dramatically. In July we camped along Bishop Creek (outside of its namesake city) and did some hiking in the high country. There is still a lot of snow up there due to the “atmospheric rivers” of last winter.

The behemoth in the foreground in the photo just outside of Bishop is Mount Tom (13,658 ft.). We didn’t climb to the top this time, but perhaps in the future.