Scenic 395 - The Official Guide 2018/2019

2018-2019 Scenic 395 42 Convict Lake C onvict Lake is known for its fishing and the dramatic mountains (including Mount Morrison) that sur- round it. Its surface lies at an elevation of 7,850 feet, surrounded by mountains that tower over it by as much as a mile. The lake was named after an incident on Sept. 23, 1871, where a group of convicts es- caped from prison in Carson City. A posse, from Benton, led by Deputy Sheriff George Hightower, encountered the convicts near the head of what is now Convict Creek. Posse member Robert Morrison, a Benton mer- chant and Wells Fargo Agent, was killed in the encounter, and Mount Morrison was named after him. It has frequently been not- ed on lists of unusual place names. Convict Lake is known for its fishing, in- cluding rainbow trout, German brown trout, and a species of sucker fish. Due to the high demand of fishing in the lake and stream, the lake is stocked once a week during the sum- mer with rainbow trout, supplied by nearby hatcheries. There is a three-mile trail for hik- ing around the lake and a trail that connects the lake to the Sierra Crest. Convict Lake Resort is situated on the east- ern edge of the lake. In 1929 the resort was officially established as Convict Lake Camp and owned by Bill Garner. Prior to that the resort area was referred to as Raymer’s Camp. Ownership was passed to the Wenger Family in 1962 and to the current owners 1982. More information is available at www.con- victlake.com . Convict Lake: Unusual name, unusual scenery JOSH WRAY/MONO COUNTY TOURISM Scenes from Convict Lake and nearby Mount Morrison.