Scenic 395 - The Official Guide 2021/2022

Bishop 32 2021-2022 Scenic 395 cense but they think they could only fish from May to mid-November.” The normal trout season runs from the end of April through mid-November, but the Owens River and Pleasant Valley Reservoir are open all year for fishing. “The best time to fish the Owens River is actually November, they’re not real shady and out in the open, so the temperatures are better in the winter and early spring,” Thom- son said. “The lower elevations at the valley floor don’t freeze over.” Bicycling also holds a number of opportu- nities, according to Thomson. “Cycling falls into several different cate- gories,” she said. For those who like long distances at low el- evation gain, routes go around Bishop out to Round Valley, 10 miles north and west of the town. Another route east of the town include an area near the airport, where paved roads provide low traffic. Inclining bike routes, or those who like to climb, are also available. “There are some world-class routes around here,” she said. “Bishop Creek is one of them, as is Round Creek Road. People who are re- ally determined can go up near 168 around Big Pine. That is a steep paved road that some cyclists like. It’s narrow but it doesn’t have a whole lot of traffic. Warm Springs Loop is another one, she said, offering a 15-mile option for families. She said a good place to start or end is locat- ed on the east side of Bishop City Park. Off-highway vehicle activities abound aplenty, according to Thomson. “There are hundreds of miles of OHV op- portunities here and we have several OHV maps available to guests,” she said. “It de- pends on what the season is. If it’s winter, you’re going to want to stay near the valley floor, like the volcanic table lands or some places by the river. A designated area called Poleta includes short trails and single tracks as well as a dirt bowl. The area is a 2,500-acre spot, though all OHV vehicles will need a California green or red sticker, or be street-legal, since it is on Inyo National Forest land. “Poleta is a really great, developed OHV area,” Thomson said. Climbing enthusiasts also have a lot of op- portunities, Thomson said. “We have the Buttermilks recreational area and the Volcanic Table Lands, both within 10 to 15 mile rides of Bishop,” she said. “Both have world-class recognition and people travel great distances to climb those venues.” The Buttermilks serves as one of the most popular bouldering areas on the West Coast, including high climbs and egg-shaped boul- ders. Because of the area’s outdoor popularity, Thomson said the Bishop Visitor Center strongly advocates the “Leave No Trace” principle and camping in the appropriate designated places. She also notes that people need to pack out any trash they might gener- ate, as well as to take precautions when in bear country. Continued on Page 33 Continued from Page 31