Fall Events: Inyo County

In our series of reports on great fall events, we end where autumn begins … in the Eastern Sierra.

Inyo County is California’s dramatic backbone. It rises from the lowest point in North America (Death Valley, -282.2’) to the highest in the contiguous 48 states (Mt Whitney, +14,505’).

Because of that extreme elevation difference, fall color has been seen peaking in Inyo County from mid September to January. Prime peak, however, occurs up Eastern Sierra creek drainages from mid September through mid October.

U.S. 395 travels between Death Valley and Mt. Whitney through the Owens Valley. Along the route, the towns of Lone Pine, Independence, Big Pine and Bishop and their locales hold one-of-a-kind events that celebrate the region’s cultural and natural history.

Inyo County is a place made famous for its western films, towering mountains, high plains, cattle and sheep ranchers, mountaineers, anglers, wranglers, native people, scenic touring routes, food and zest for fun.

Follow US 395 and this list to combine fall color viewing, festivals and events, this autumn:

• Every Thursday – Bishop Paiute Community Market

• Sept. 6 and Oct. 4 – First Friday Markets.  Downtown Bishop on Academy Street, between Main Street and Warren Street.  Handcrafted items, crafters and artisans, local produce, kid crafts, wine tasting, food booths, local beer and distillery and local bands.

• Sept. 20 – 22 – Millpond Music Festival

• Sept. 27 – 29 – Pabanamanina Pow Wow

• Sept. 27 – 29 – Curley Fletcher’s Birthday Poetry Rendevous

• Oct. 4 – 6 – Fall Colors Classic Car Show

• Oct. 5 – Choo Choo Swap Meet, it’s like 100 yard sales in one location.

• Oct. 5 – John Wayne Grit Series, Alabama Hills Half Marathon & 10K

• Oct. 10 – 13 – Lone Pine Western Film Festival, this is Cannes, Montreal and Sundance for Westerns.

• Oct. 11 – 13 – VCMC Dual Sport Motorcycle Rally

• Oct. 19 – Downtown Bishop Chocolate Art Walk, delicious to the tongue and the eye.

• Nov. 1 – 3 – American Alpine Club’s Bishop Fall Highball Craggin’ Classic