Posted by Derek Sedillo on September 17, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Hello,
I am definately going to try and spend some time in Bishop Creek Canyon if I get the time off work this year Fall. I was wondering where might be good places to camp or find a hotel? In looking at one camping giude here http://www.bishopvisitor.com/fcr/index.php3 it looks like a lot of campgrounds close on 10/1 which is just when things get interesting.
Of course the closer to the Aspens and color the better. But then again I don't mind taking the road less traveled either. I love finding streams with Aspens, Cottonwoods and/or other color near by.
It seems like there are small towns in the Canyon like Aspendell. But its hard to tell what one can get there (eg - food, gas, camping, lodging)?
Thanks for any tips or recommendations.
Derek
Posted by Reno DiTullio on September 17, 2009 at 11:44 PM
Derek, no lodging in Aspendell, but lots of camp sites in the canyon, usually first come first served. Gas and groceries in Bishop.
Derek, I think Preston and others have camped typically at the Four Jeffrey Campground, which is on the south fork of the Bishop Creek area.
I have typically stayed at one of these two motels over the years, as you can see they are both on west Line Street. That is the main route west toward the Bishop Creek area.
Bishop Days Inn
724 West Line Street
Mountain View Motel
730 W. Line Street
What you may see as small towns on a map, such as Aspendell, are not really towns per se, they are very small clusters of homes in a community.
When are you planning to go up there? As some of the reservations for these locals fill up with all types of folks hitting the sierras during prime fall weather conditions, including an annual car show in Bishop about this time of year.
Good luck.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on September 18, 2009 at 12:41 AM
I'm going to try and get up there near the beginning of October. So I may be able to make the meetup in Lee Vining as well depending on work and all. But I really want to spend more time down in Bishop Creek as I have not experienced that area yet and want to explore it.
Unfortunately, the Four Jeffrey CG has been closing in early October. A couple of years ago, I was flummoxed to find this out. It was explained to me the USFS closes it early to 'spread people out to lesser used campgrounds'. As a result, the other campgrounds, which are much smaller, make it harder to find a site. Given this, avoid Fridays and weekends, if at all possible.
Harley and I stayed at Bishop Park CG last year. It is pretty nice. (To your right on the road to Sabrina past the junction with the road to South Lake).
The Forks CG has some nice tent sites at the upper end, but they may be taken. This CG is located at the junction of the road that leads to South Lake with the main road that heads up to Sabrina. Turn left toward South Lake. The entrance is about 100 yards further on your right.
There is also a Ramada Inn and a Holiday Inn in Bishop. If the car show is going on--good luck.
If your really want to rough it, wander off into the Buttermilk Country. Turn right onto Buttermilk Road and head out. (the only place I've found with worse washboard is the road to Green Creek out of Bridgeport, or the road to the Patriarch Grove). Go slow. Stay on the main road; if you don't, you'll need a true 4x4. There are some nice, dry (no water), campsites beyond the main climbing/bouldering area. Shade will be basically non-existent.
Definitely stock up on food and fuel in Bishop!
-P
Posted by Steve Sieren on September 18, 2009 at 1:00 AM
There is a spot in the Buttermilks with running coldwater (the creek) just off the main road immediately to the right. Just look for the trees, I found it in the dark so it shouldn't be that hard to find.
I hear there is a waterfall in there somewhere anyone know where that is?
When I go to Bishop, I just crash in the Buttermilks... it's beautiful, free, and there's plenty of room. Just drive on a dirt road till it stops (you may not want to take that approach if you dont have a 4wd, but there's plenty of options).
Derek, if you do decide to camp up there, you can always check out the campgrounds around Bishop Creek and if you don't like what you see, want to pay, or they are filled, the Buttermilk area as suggested is a great spot too.
If I recall correctly, I think the car show is the first weekend in October. I've hit there during that show at least three times over the years. No big thing just more crowded in town during the weekend.
Discussion
7 repliesI am definately going to try and spend some time in Bishop Creek Canyon if I get the time off work this year Fall. I was wondering where might be good places to camp or find a hotel? In looking at one camping giude here http://www.bishopvisitor.com/fcr/index.php3 it looks like a lot of campgrounds close on 10/1 which is just when things get interesting.
Of course the closer to the Aspens and color the better. But then again I don't mind taking the road less traveled either. I love finding streams with Aspens, Cottonwoods and/or other color near by.
It seems like there are small towns in the Canyon like Aspendell. But its hard to tell what one can get there (eg - food, gas, camping, lodging)?
Thanks for any tips or recommendations.
Derek
I have typically stayed at one of these two motels over the years, as you can see they are both on west Line Street. That is the main route west toward the Bishop Creek area.
Bishop Days Inn
724 West Line Street
Mountain View Motel
730 W. Line Street
What you may see as small towns on a map, such as Aspendell, are not really towns per se, they are very small clusters of homes in a community.
When are you planning to go up there? As some of the reservations for these locals fill up with all types of folks hitting the sierras during prime fall weather conditions, including an annual car show in Bishop about this time of year.
Good luck.
I found Four Jeffrey on an Inyo National Forest site along with others here: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/recreation/campgrounds.shtml. It looks like one of the larger public campgrounds in the area.
I'm going to try and get up there near the beginning of October. So I may be able to make the meetup in Lee Vining as well depending on work and all. But I really want to spend more time down in Bishop Creek as I have not experienced that area yet and want to explore it.
Derek
Harley and I stayed at Bishop Park CG last year. It is pretty nice. (To your right on the road to Sabrina past the junction with the road to South Lake).
The Forks CG has some nice tent sites at the upper end, but they may be taken. This CG is located at the junction of the road that leads to South Lake with the main road that heads up to Sabrina. Turn left toward South Lake. The entrance is about 100 yards further on your right.
There is also a Ramada Inn and a Holiday Inn in Bishop. If the car show is going on--good luck.
If your really want to rough it, wander off into the Buttermilk Country. Turn right onto Buttermilk Road and head out. (the only place I've found with worse washboard is the road to Green Creek out of Bridgeport, or the road to the Patriarch Grove). Go slow. Stay on the main road; if you don't, you'll need a true 4x4. There are some nice, dry (no water), campsites beyond the main climbing/bouldering area. Shade will be basically non-existent.
Definitely stock up on food and fuel in Bishop!
-P
I hear there is a waterfall in there somewhere anyone know where that is?
If I recall correctly, I think the car show is the first weekend in October. I've hit there during that show at least three times over the years. No big thing just more crowded in town during the weekend.