Scenic 395 - The Official Guide 2021/2022

30 2021-2022 Scenic 395 Bishop 763 N. Main Street Bishop, CA 93514 760-873-7156 www.schatsbakery.com Home of the ORIGINAL Sheepherder Bread • BREAD • PASTRIES • COOKIES • CANDIES • CHEESE BREADS • PULL AWAYS • MUCH MORE ing this period day-trippers must take the Reds Meadow/Devils Post- pile shuttle bus into the valley from Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center. Once you’re down in the Reds Meadow / Devils Postpile area this is an excellent moderate hike of just under 3-miles roundtrip. It does have some elevation gain and loss in each direction, so hikers should be prepared with snacks, water, layers, sunscreen and good hiking shoes. The hike begins at the visitor center and skirts around the Soda Lake and crosses the San Joaquin river. At a half-mile it joins up with the Pacific Crest Trail and heads to the falls viewpoint one-mile fur- ther. Crater Creek Falls, Mammoth Lakes Looking for a hike to go along with a waterfall? Crater Creek offers both. The hike begins at the Rainbow Falls trailhead and passes by the lower Rainbow Falls before heading down canyon along the trail designated as Fish Creek trail. It parallels the San Joaquin which cuts into the landscape below as granite ridges rise to create deep, narrow canyons. The trail flows alternately through the forest and out onto massive granite blocks. Crater Creek begins east of this valley near the south side of Mam- moth Mountain. On its way to the San Joaquin, the waters of Crater Creek plunge over the massive granite benches that delineate these canyons. The view of this falls is from the brink of the drop and just off to the side. Both views provide a grand view of it plummeting over a near vertical cliff. Be extra careful of sand, water, or ice on the gran- ite as a slip here could have very serious consequences. The roundtrip hike is just under 9-miles with a little over 3,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain and loss. It’s a big day … and it’s a big falls. Be safe The Bishop Visitor Center also cautions safety above anything else. “Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back. Cell phone reception is limited or non-existent in many of the places described above,” the Visitor Center states. “Study the maps, download GPS tracks, and take paper maps as a backup. Pack layers for sudden changes in weather, extra food or plenty of snacks, take plenty of water or a water filter, and carry a flashlight or head- lamp.” Above all, stay on the designated paths and don’t attempt cross- country unless some is required. An additional note includes the possibility that some waterfalls might be low or not as active after a low snow or dry winter. If you hike into the backcountry in early spring do not cross ice bridges over creeks or falls. Note too, that water follows the path of least resistance and sometimes a designated trail becomes a temporary stream. Continued from Page 29 COURTESY PHOTO Crater Creek Falls near Mammoth Mountain offer a rewarding day hike.