Photo courtesy of Michelle Pettit
Fly-fish the Owens River in the winter for wild trout , dunk a worm or lure in the roadside creeks and lakes from the April opener thru fall ; day-hike to Sierra lakes for hungry summer trout and maybe even catch California ’ s own Golden Trout . It ’ s easy to take the family fishing and even “ catching ” using the equipment and great advice from the friendly experts at the local fishing stores - guys and gals that actually want to help you catch fish !
Mammoth Mountain is the area ’ s main ski resort offering the most consistent deep snowpack and endless terrain options . For backcountry skiers / riders , numerous canyons and roads provide access to some of the steepest , most majestic alpine terrain . Local favorites include shorter day trips out of Bishop and Rock creeks but , in a good winter , descents can exceed 6,000 vertical feet , offering skiing from car to summit .
Mountain biking – especially with fat bikes – has become a more recent favorite . Several trails traverse the valley foothills on both the Sierra and White Mountain sides . The wider tires have revolutionized riding on the sandy substrate , allowing rolling terrain and shallow washes to be ridden with ease .
At the end of a long day , enjoy the convenience of down-town lodging , lowkeyed restaurants with great food , and maybe take in a movie or go bowling if you ’ ve still got some energy left .
Stop by the Bishop Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center located on Main Street at the entrance to the City Park to have any questions answered . The staff there are long-time locals and can help you get to the classic areas and will even let you in on some local beta .