Wild and Extreme Expectations 2023

By Christina Reed

The Hired Pen

Eastern Sierra, CA—The news headline (as of press time, April 10,2023) from the National Weather Service, Las Vegas, Nevada division says, “Hydrologic Outlook”--Inyo County, CA, “...Water levels rising on creeks and streams in Inyo County.”

Snow melt will begin in earnest and quickly accelerate with our warmer temperatures. Ice on lakes will thaw, pasture lands will flood with lots of standing water (then mosquitoes), and very, very cold water temperatures from snow runoff will pose life-threatening chances of hypothermia, if you fall in swift waters, or break through the ice.

Where Can We Go, Safely?

As with any trip to the Sierra, check your weather and highway information first. There could be road / highway construction / alternate routes you will have to use to get to your destinations. Inaccessible at the moment: Buttermilks, Chalk Bluffs, Lower Rock Creek, Pleasant Valley Campground, South Lake, Tungsten City, and Pine Creek, to name just a few popular climbing / off-roading areas. Special note to travelers looking to get to Yosemite, the Pacific Crest Trail, and near the West Walker River (Coleville area) late May into early-mid June, the water snow melt will likely cause flooding at this time.

An interesting side note to all of this snow melt is the fact that “A spring surge of snow melt, seeping through vertically tilted layers of rock, caused a seismic [earthquake] swarm near California’s Long Valley Caldera in 2017,” according to research from the Seismological Society of America: April 25, 2019. Déjà vu, 2017, only more snow melt this time around...

Fishing is going to be a real challenge this year. Snow melt, high river / creek / stream flows, ice, and high snow banks have even the most seasoned of angling guides saying, “Not much of a chance of fishing at the moment.” Meantime, this is a chance to gear up and look at getting your tackle, equipment, and camping arrangements in order for the later spring and early summer season.

The Eastern Sierra Trout Opener is Saturday, April 29, at dawn. “Fishmas” may look different this year, as mentioned above, so heading to calmer waters / flat waters may be an option for anglers earlier in the fishing season. Fishing in the Sierra also means catching small mouth and large mouth bass, crappies, sun fish, and trout. There are fishing platforms at many of the region’s ponds and recreation areas, like Millpond and Diaz Lake.

California’s fishing license is $58.25, and it’s now good for one year, from the date of purchase. There are reduced fees for low income seniors and recovering service members, and it’s free for low income Native Americans and the disabled. Free fishing days this year: Saturday, July 1 and Saturday, September 2, 2023.

Enjoy Three Seasons at Once

This time of year, you can see spring wildflowers, go fishing, spend time skiing or snowboarding, or just enjoy the sunny, warm days in the Owens Valley in your rate to the higher rate once per term. 18-month Bump Term Share Certificate will mature at the end of the term and renew automatically to an 18-month Term Share Certificate. All other general terms are disclosed in our Account Agreements and Disclosures. All rates and policies are subject to change without notice. See AltaOne's rate sheet for additional rates and terms.

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