Scenic 395 - The Official Guide 2022/2023

32 2022 Scenic 395 101 N. Main Street, Big Pine, CA • 760-938-2067 email: hicountrymkt@live.com Bristlecone Motel www.bristleconemotel.com northern entrance to death Valley Best access to ancient Bristlecone pine forest & palisade glacier • Clean Motel Rooms • Kitchens • Pet Friendly • Microwave & Refrigerator in every room Everything you need for your travels on 395 Make your stop on 395 comfortable and clean • Sporting goodS including camping, fiShing, hiking gear & mapS • complete hardware Store • locally roasted coffee • kitchen & cleaning Supplies • Snacks & drinks • large Selection of grocery items • liquor • ca lottery • cold Beer • Bagged Block/cubed ice • tackle & Bait • fishing & hunting licenses • firewood • fresh deli Sandwiches • public Showers • coin-op laundromat • keys made on Site Hi-Country Market & Hardware Chevron Gasoline RESERVATIONS 760-938-2067 Big Pine The entire town of Big Pine, California, is in the lower middle of the photo, in the Owens Valley with the East- ern Sierra as backdrop. View is shot from the lower slope of the White Mountains. Clinton Steeds via Wikimedia Commons Big Pine is the hub for exploring some of the grandest areas in the region, from the Sierra Nevada in the west to the White Mountains in the east. In the center of town is Crocker Street, which heads west and climbs into the Sierra. The road ascends the mighty Sierra es- carpment and enters Big Pine Canyon, winding along Big Pine Creek to campgrounds, cabins, a supply store, and a pack outfit for horseback excursions into the backcountry. At road’s end, lace up your hiking boots and head up trails that lead to unpar- alleled scenery and adventure including one of Big Pine’s several claims to fame: the Palisades Glacier, the largest glacier in the Si- erra Nevada. The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, high in the White Moun- tains, is home to trees that are among the oldest living things on earth, dating to over 5,000 years old. A good paved road via Highway 168 leads to the Schulman Grove from the north end of Big Pine. A Visitor Center provides daily interpretive talks and natural history lectures mid-June through Labor Day. Three interpretive hiking trails lead visitors to close up views of these grand trees and stupendous views of the far off Sierras. Be sure and bring a camera for one-of-a-kind photos. Informative in- terpretive signs will help you understand the uniqueness of these noble trees as you meander along. Nearby Grandview Camp- ground makes for a delightful base camp to explore the nearby region. The Owens Valley Radio Observatory is located just a fewmiles northeast of town. These large white discs, seen from Highway 395, are owned and operated by Caltech and provides astrono- mers the ability to conduct extensive research of the stars and our solar system. Caltech offers occasional Open House events for the public to tour its fascinating research facilities. Some of the Eastern Sierra’s finest fishing is found in and around Big Pine. Throughout the picturesque Big Pine Creek are numerous fishing spots, starting just a couple of miles outside town and continuing all the way to the end of the road 17 miles away. Close to town is the well- stocked Baker Ponds: turn west on Baker Creek Road, go about a mile to the campgrounds and from there the ponds are easy to find. The Owens River, about a mile east of Big Pine on S.R. 168, abounds with trout and warm water species like catfish, bass and others. There is also a “back road” to Death Valley National Park from Big Pine; be cautious, though, because the road is mostly of dirt and there are no facilities, but the scenery is wonderful and 75 miles farther is the north end of the Park near Scotty’s Castle. The list of “things to do” while in Big Pine could go on and on. Take the time on your next visit to the Owens Valley to experi- ence some of these world-class and one of a kind adventures with friends and family. They’ll provide memories for a lifetime. Big Pine is an adventure hub