attention — descents from around 6,000 feet elevation provide big views across the valley.

Just Outstanding, a fun addition to the local trail network, lives up to its name through flow-oriented construction that winds through oak woodlands and granite outcrops with features suitable for intermediate riders.

The annual Keyesville Classic race, typically held in October, brings competitive cyclists to test themselves on scenic climbs and shreddy descents through historic mining country, where singletrack threading through oaks and wildflowers has established the event’s reputation for both scenic beauty and legitimate physical challenge.

Whether running rapids or lounging along calmer stretches of the Kern, visitors tend to return. The Kern River Valley is a yea-round playground that will have you planning your next adventure on the drive home.

 

Lone Pine and the Alabama Hills

Continuing north on Highway 395, Lone Pine occupies the base of Mt. Whitney, which reaches 14,505 feet to claim status as the tallest peak in the contiguous United States. Just west of town, the Alabama Hills announce themselves immediately through their distinctive rounded granite boulders — wind and weathering have sculpted these formations into arches, spires, and incredibly balanced rocks over geologic time.

Unpaved routes locally known as Movie Roads wind through the hills past natural stone frames and striking formations that have appeared in hundreds of Western films and modern productions, from Gunga Din to Gladiator. The Mobius Arch particularly attracts sunrise photographers who position themselves to frame Mt. Whitney through the opening. Minimal light pollution makes these hills exceptional for stargazing on clear nights.

Short hikes and informal scrambles accommodate casual visitors — the roughly 1-mile Mobius Arch loop requires modest effort and time. Mountain bikers navigate the area’s easy singletrack trails. More ambitious objectives exist via Whitney Portal Road, which ascends 13 miles through switchbacks to approximately 8,300 feet elevation, terminating at the Mt. Whitney trailhead that serves both day hikers and those planning overnight trips. Permit allocation operates through a lottery system. The portal area maintains a seasonal campground and small store.

Horseshoe Meadows Road climbs beyond 10,000 feet to reach a trailhead providing access to the Cottonwood Lakes basin, roughly five or six miles distant. This basin contains a chain of alpine pools where golden trout swim beneath Mt. Langley’s slopes. Day hikers can enter without securing overnight permits, though backpackers must navigate the wilderness quota system.

Lone Pine offers solid amenities for a town its size — the Museum of Western Film History documents the area’s Hollywood connections, while the Dow Villa Motel retains period charm. Diaz Lake, positioned just south of town, provides picnic facilities and trout fishing access.

Manzanar National Historic Site, several miles north, presents comprehensive exhibits and ranger-led tours examining the Japanese American internment experience during World War II.

Keough’s Hot Springs, located a short drive south, operates soaking pools fed by natural thermal water. During winter months, the Alabama Hills receive occasional snow that transforms the landscape into a quieter venue for short walks and photography.

 

Bishop and Owens Valley

Bishop anchors the Owens Valley and functions as the largest population center along this Highway 395 segment. Situated at approximately 4,150 feet elevation, the town serves as a logical resupply point with established businesses like Mammoth Mountaineering Supply and Erick Schat’s Bakery, alongside newer breweries including Mountain Rambler.

Bishop Creek Canyon extends westward from town, eventually dividing into three forks that contain classic Sierra trout habitat. South Lake, Lake Sabrina, and the North Fork attract anglers pursuing rainbow and brown trout through techniques ranging from shore casting to float tube trolling.

Campgrounds such as Sabrina, Intake, and Four Jeffrey reach capacity quickly during summer weekends. Multiple trails ascend from the canyon toward high-country terrain within the John Muir Wilderness boundaries, with Bishop Pass representing one prominent route.

The Owens Valley’s particular topography generates reliable thermal currents that have made the area popular among hang gliding and paragliding enthusiasts, who launch year-round when conditions permit. Rock climbers concentrate efforts on the volcanic tuff walls of the Owens River Gorge and the extensive granite boulder fields at the Buttermilks and Happy Boulders.

The Lower Owens River below Crowley Lake maintains consistent flows suitable for fly fishing, with mature cottonwoods and willows establishing riparian corridors along the banks.

Birdwatchers regularly document golden eagles, great blue herons, and various waterfowl species.

An entirely different excursion leads east into the White Mountains, where the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest preserves specimens exceeding 4,000 years in age. The access road climbs to roughly 10,000 feet elevation, with short boardwalk trails providing views of the gnarled, ancient trees.

Aspen foliage reaches peak autumn color in the higher canyons, typically during late September and early October. Winter transforms portions of the gorge into an ice climbing venue when sufficient freezing occurs.

Those interested in regional history can visit the Laws Railroad Museum, which maintains preserved locomotives and reconstructed pioneer-era structures. Keough’s Hot Springs, south of Bishop, continues to draw visitors seeking therapeutic soaking after extended outdoor activity.

 

Mammoth Lakes and Crowley Lake

Mammoth Lakes occupies an elevated position near 8,000 feet and has developed into a year-round recreation center built around its substantial ski resort. The basin contains multiple lakes — Mary, George, Mamie, Twin, and Horseshoe — nestled within a scenic bowl below Mammoth Mountain’s volcanic slopes.

Campgrounds including Coldwater and Lake Mary connect via paved roads and maintained trails. Anglers employ varied tactics: working shallow margins for brook trout, targeting deeper water for the hatchery strain known as Alpers rainbow trout, or trolling larger lakes for browns.

Float tubes have become standard equipment at Twin Lakes. Anglers in float tubes are able to access deep water portions of the lakes and it allows then to target the photo worthy trout that will have you dreaming about the next big one you can catch.

Black bears regularly patrol campsites throughout the basin — the ubiquitous bear-proof storage boxes exist for legitimate reasons, bears walk through the campgrounds routinely and some nights multiple bears can visit your site.

Summer transforms Mammoth into a mountain biking destination, with a bike park offering downhill runs and an extensive network of cross-country routes threading through the surrounding forests.

A seasonal shuttle provides access to Devils Postpile National Monument, where columnar basalt formations rise in remarkably uniform hexagonal patterns. From the monument, trail continues approximately 2 miles to Rainbow Falls — a 101-foot cascade that, on sunny days, generates visible prismatic effects in the mist. The San Joaquin River below the falls supports rainbow trout populations, with fly anglers able to wade directly from the trail.

Convict Lake produces striking turquoise water tones and features a relatively short loop trail that becomes especially popular during the aspen color season. Convict Lake supports populations of rainbow trout, brown trout, and occasionally planted trophy-sized fish that attract serious anglers willing to work deeper water with specialized techniques.

Shore fishing remains productive along the northeastern shoreline and near the inlet, though float tubes and small watercraft provide access to drop-offs where larger browns suspend during warmer months. The lake’s dramatic setting beneath Sevehah Cliff and the surrounding peaks can distract from fishing, particularly during morning hours when the surrounding rock faces reflect in still water — though the scenery arguably constitutes half the appeal for those combining technical pursuit with aesthetic experience.

Hot Creek Geologic Site presents steaming thermal pools visible from elevated boardwalks, though swimming remains prohibited due to unpredictable temperature fluctuations and underwater hazards.

 

Eastward, Crowley Lake spreads across a broad basin that accommodates recreational boating, windsurfing, kayaking, and trout fishing. The marina operates boat rentals and maintains a tackle shop. Crowley Lake functions as the Eastern Sierra’s largest reservoir and arguably its most versatile recreational venue, with approximately 5,280 surface acres that accommodate powerboating, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, and year-round trout fishing under regulations that permit various methods including trolling and bait fishing.

The lake has earned recognition among fly anglers during spring and fall when massive midge hatches — locally termed “the blob” — trigger aggressive surface feeding by rainbow trout and occasional brown trout, with successful anglers matching the hatch.

The full-service marina operates boat rentals, launches, and a tackle shop stocked according to current conditions, while multiple access points around the shoreline accommodate those fishing from shore or launching small craft like float tubes and pontoon boats.

Wind patterns make the lake especially popular among windsurfers and kitesurfers during afternoon hours, when thermal currents reliably generate conditions that would be considered excellent on coastal venues — though the combination of altitude, cold water, and distance from medical facilities requires appropriate preparation and skill levels.

When winter arrives, Mammoth Mountain’s lift system transports skiers and snowboarders to terrain offering approximately 3,500 vertical feet with runs suited to multiple ability levels.

Several natural hot springs in the vicinity, including Wild Willy’s, provide more rustic soaking options popular during winter and shoulder seasons. These undeveloped thermal features typically require short hikes or careful navigation on unmaintained roads, and the springs themselves consist of primitive soaking pools that appeal to those seeking experiences beyond commercial resort amenities.

The pools operate under informal etiquette that generally includes packing out all trash, respecting others’ space, and accepting that clothing-optional soaking remains common at many remote springs.

Benton Crossing and Whitmore Hot Springs represent other options within reasonable driving distance, though each location presents different access challenges and varying degrees of development, from completely primitive rock pools to sites with modest concrete tubs and changing areas.

 

June Lake Loop

The June Lake Loop presents a compact 14-mile scenic detour departing Highway 395 via Highway 158. This route encircles four distinct lakes — June, Gull, Silver, and Grant — positioned beneath steep mountain faces. The combination of marinas, developed campgrounds, and beach access points allows visitors to experience the loop efficiently within a single day, though the area contains sufficient variety to justify extended stays.

Grant Lake, the largest of the four, has earned recognition for trophy-class brown trout. Trollers frequently deploy downrigger setups to reach appropriate depths. Shore anglers concentrate efforts around rocky points and structure. Boat rental operations at June Lake and Silver Lake simplify access for those without trailered watercraft. Calm morning conditions favor stand-up paddleboarding, while summer afternoons draw swimmers to warmer shallow areas.

Several hiking routes ascend through aspen groves toward higher elevations, including the Parker Lake trail — a moderate out-and-back covering roughly 4 miles with expansive views from the destination. Reverse Peak offers ridge-top panoramas overlooking the entire loop. Autumn produces one of the Eastern Sierra’s most concentrated aspen color displays, typically peaking around mid-October. Photographers congregate at established viewpoints near Gull Lake and along Rush Creek.

June Mountain ski area operates with a more family-oriented atmosphere and lighter crowds compared to nearby Mammoth. Off-road enthusiasts tackle the East Craters Loop, a challenging 4×4 route traversing volcanic features including cinder cones, expanses of black sand, and the Devil’s Punchbowl — a dry lakebed. This loop requires valid OHV permits.

June Lake village maintains modest tourist infrastructure — cabin rentals, casual dining options like the Tiger Bar, and the Double Eagle Resort with its developed spa facilities. Seasonal fishing derbies and summer concert series contribute to the area’s small-community character.

 

Mono Basin and Lee Vining

Lee Vining occupies an elevation of approximately 6,400 feet near Mono Lake, where hypersaline water surrounds distinctive limestone tufa towers formed through complex chemical interactions over thousands of years. The South Tufa boardwalk system allows visitors to approach these formations closely while migratory birds feed in the shallows, consuming brine shrimp and alkali flies. The lake supports crucial stopover habitat for multiple bird migration routes, and the stark landscape bears little resemblance to California’s coastal or mountain regions.

Navy Beach provides kayak launching facilities for those interested in paddling among the tufa formations — motorized watercraft remain prohibited. Panum Crater, located just south of the lake, offers a short rim hike with scattered obsidian fragments and views from the volcanic plug dome. The Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center presents comprehensive exhibits on local geology and the contentious history of Los Angeles water diversions. Lee Vining Creek descends from Tioga Pass through a series of canyon pools below town that harbor small populations of wild trout.

When Tioga Pass gets passable conditions — typically late May or early June through October or November, depending on snowpack — the route provides access to Yosemite’s high country, passing Tioga Lake and Ellery Lake before reaching Tuolumne Meadows. Trailheads near the pass access backcountry destinations including Cathedral Lakes and Gaylor Lakes. During winter closure, the blocked road becomes a peaceful corridor for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Lundy Canyon’s side road leads toward waterfalls, beaver-engineered ponds, and particularly vibrant fall aspen color.

 

Bridgeport and the Northern Sierra

Bridgeport, positioned near 6,500 feet elevation, retains ranch-country characteristics — grazing meadows extend toward weathered barns and split-rail fences. Bridgeport Reservoir has established a reputation for producing large trout, with brown trout and rainbow trout regularly reaching double-digit weights. Anglers employ both boat trolling and shore casting near the dam structure.

Twin Lakes and Green Creek campgrounds, situated within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, position visitors near water access and within reasonable distance of trails penetrating Hoover Wilderness meadows. Several horseback riding operations offer guided trips into higher elevations.

The East Walker River below the reservoir attracts anglers seeking technically demanding brown trout fishing in moving water. Trail systems climb toward alpine lakes including Virginia Lakes and Summit Lake, where wildflowers emerge during July. Fall hunting seasons encompass mule deer and sage grouse across accessible forest lands. Winter brings snowmobilers to groomed trail networks when storm systems deposit adequate snow depth.

Bodie State Historic Park occupies an isolated location roughly 13 miles east of town via partially maintained dirt road. This preserved 1880s gold mining settlement contains weathered wooden structures, abandoned vehicles, and guided interpretive tours during summer months. Buckeye Hot Springs and Travertine Hot Springs, both within the general area, provide natural soaking pools with unobstructed Sierra Nevada views. Within Bridgeport proper, visitors encounter the historic courthouse, the Bridgeport Inn, and several modest motels. Autumn transforms roadside aspens into brilliant gold displays.

From the Kern River’s granite peaks to Mono Basin’s alien tufa formations, Highway 395 connects contrasting ecosystems — desert basins transition to alpine lakes, steep canyons open onto high meadows, and small towns have organized themselves entirely around outdoor access.

Travelers can compress substantial geographic diversity into a single driving day or alternatively establish a single base camp and explore outward from there over multiple days. Recreation.gov manages most developed campground reservations, while Sequioa National Forest and Inyo National Forest alerts provide current information on road conditions and fire restrictions before departure into higher elevations.