Hiking Convict Lake
For my 25th birthday, I took a road trip through the Eastern Sierra. Renown for its mountain views, Convict Lake ranked high on my to-visit list. Located just south of Mammoth, this was the perfect stop on my way down to Bishop.
Hiking
Point Reyes Lighthouse at Sunset
When your friend calls you up and says let’s check out the Point Reyes Lighthouse at sunset and watch some whales, you cancel all your plans and say yes!
Volcanic Tablelands: Searching for Petroglyphs
The Volcanic Tablelands is one of the coolest areas outside of Bishop. Primarily known for its climbing, specifically in the Happys and the Sads, the Volcanic Tablelands are more than that. It is home to a large collection of petroglyphs from ancestors of the Paiute-Shoshone tribe who are the original inhabitants of Payahuunadü, or the Owens Valley.
Mono Lake: South Tufa
Google Mono Lake and the first thing you’ll see is the South Tufa. Some would argue that if there was one thing you absolutely had to do here, it’s visiting the tufa grove. Is it a must do? I’m not sure; the Black Point Fissures were pretty cool. But if you’re hard pressed for time, visiting the South Tufa will only take you about an hour or so. The hike to the crazy, alienesque tufa is short (one mile), flat, and family-friendly.
Hiking the Black Point Fissures at Mono Lake
A few days prior to my Eastern Sierras birthday trip I poked around the #easternsierras hashtag on Instagram looking for some ideas and inspiration on what to do. I was pretty much stumped and so beyond planning a detailed itinerary at that point. My friend, Sarah, suggested the Black Point Fissures at Mono Lake. A quick click on this link and I was sold.