Big Bear, CA
I quiet mountain community full of back country adventure.
Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery
Located just outside of Independence, Inyo County, California the Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery has played an important role in the preservation of the Golden Trout. Beyond the hatchery’s primary purpose, the site makes an excellent location to pull off the highway, relax in the shade and enjoy a picnic lunch. This is how I was introduced to the hatchery 30 years ago, and it is still much anticipated stop each time I travel the 395 highway.
The fish hatchery began life in 1915, when the town of Independence raised money for and subsequently purchased a 40 acre parcel of ideal land in Oak Creek. Using foresight not seen in our time, Fish and Game Commissioner M. J. Connell directed he direct the design team “to design a building that would match the mountains, would last forever, and would be a showplace for all time.” Charles Dean of the State Department of Engineering and the design time team decided upon a “Tudor Revival” architectural style.
Utilizing a budget of $60,000 the hatchery project was started in March 1916 and complete one year later. The building was built using 3200 tones of local granite quarried nearby, boasts walls up to three feet thick and features a Spanish Tile roof. When the facility was brought online in 1917, the hatchery could produce two million fry per year.
The hatchery’s design, led by Charles Dean of the State Department of Engineering, prioritizes durability and aesthetic integration with the landscape. The grounds, landscaped by a gardener from Golden Gate Park, feature lush vegetation and a large fish-rearing pond framed by the dramatic backdrop of the Sierra Nevada, evoking the feel of an old European estate. The main building includes a visitor center with a gift shop, a fireplace, and interpretive exhibits, while the interior showcases troughs for fingerling fish and historical displays. Additional structures on the 40-acre site include nine small residences and six commercial buildings, contributing to its community-oriented function.
The fish hatchery operated until 2008, when on July 12th a flood and mudslide tore down the Oak Creek watershed which in 2007 was burnt in a wild fire. The resulting mudslide buried the fish rearing ponds, destroyed four buildings and killed the entire population of Rainbow Trout.
Currently a restoration project is in process, however the fate of the hatchery operation remains unknown.
Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery Map
References
El Fronterizo Newspaper
El Fronterizo was a prominent Spanish-language newspaper published in Tucson, Arizona, with two distinct periods: 1878–1910 and 1922–1929. Founded to serve the Mexican and Mexican-American communities, it promoted Hispanic culture, advocated for community interests, and addressed cross-border issues. This report examines its history, editorial stance, key figures, and impact, drawing on digitized records from the Library of Congress and Arizona Memory Project.
Founding and First Era (1878–1910)
El Fronterizo was established on September 29, 1878, by Carlos Ygnacio Velasco to meet the demand for Spanish-language media in Tucson, following the short-lived Las Dos Repúblicas (1877–1879). Published weekly and aligned with the Arizona Citizen, it ran for over 30 years under Velasco’s leadership. Velasco promoted Hispanic cultural pride, advocating an anti-assimilationist stance and repatriation to Mexico, while controversially supporting Chinese deportation due to railroad labor competition. In 1894, Velasco co-founded the Alianza Hispano-Americana, a mutual aid society, using El Fronterizo to advance its mission. The newspaper covered community events, obituaries, and cross-border issues, making it a vital genealogical resource.
Second Era (1922–1929)
A second El Fronterizo began on May 18, 1922, published by Enrique V. Anaya’s Spanish-American Printing Company, with the motto “defend Hispanic-American interests first and foremost.” Initially semiweekly, it became weekly after 1927. Editors included F.E. Schmidt, Francisco Lopez, and Carlos Bautista, with Isaac Montoya briefly co-managing. The newspaper focused on civic engagement, discrimination issues, and events like Charles Lindbergh’s 1927 Tucson visit. In 1928, Salvador Camacho took over, aligning it with Velasco’s legacy by calling it the “tercera epoca” and claiming a 1879 founding date. Publication ceased before 1930.
Impact and Legacy
El Fronterizo was a cornerstone for Tucson’s Mexican-American community, fostering cultural pride and political organization through the Alianza Hispano-Americana in its first era and addressing discrimination in its second. Its digitized archives (1878–1910, 1926–1929) via Chronicling America and Arizona Memory Project offer over 2,300 pages for researchers, preserving Arizona’s borderland history.
Conclusion
El Fronterizo’s two eras reflect the resilience of Tucson’s Mexican-American community. From Velasco’s cultural advocacy to Camacho’s revival efforts, it documented a vibrant history. Its digitized records ensure its legacy endures for genealogists and historians.
Sources: Library of Congress Chronicling America, Arizona Memory Project, University of Arizona Libraries.
Sherwin Creek Campground – Inyo National Forest
Sherwin Creek Campground is a popular, scenic campground in the Inyo National Forest, located in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains just outside the town of Mammoth Lakes, California (about 2 miles away).
Description
Set at approximately 7,600 feet elevation in a beautiful grove of Jeffrey pines (with some aspens), the campground sits along lower Sherwin Creek. It offers a peaceful, shaded forest setting while remaining convenient to town amenities. The campground features around 85–87 sites organized into three main loops, plus a separate loop of tent-only walk-in sites. Sites are generally spacious and can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35–60 feet, depending on the spot.
It’s a favorite for those who want easy access to both wilderness adventures and the services of Mammoth Lakes. The campground typically opens in late May or early June once snow melts and closes in the fall. Bear activity is high in the area, so each site has a bear-proof food locker, and proper food storage is strictly enforced.
Amenities
- Picnic table and fire ring/grill at each site
- Bear-proof food storage locker at every site
- Potable drinking water (spigots throughout the campground + RV water fill station)
- Vault toilets
- Trash collection (bear-proof dumpsters)
- Camp hosts on site
- Firewood for sale (often available from the host)
- No hookups (no electric, water, or sewer at sites)
- No showers or dump station
Activities in the Area
- Fishing — Excellent stream fishing for trout right along Sherwin Creek.
- Hiking & Backpacking — Direct access to trails like the Sherwin Lakes Trail and Valentine Lake Trail, which lead into the John Muir Wilderness (wilderness permit required for overnight stays).
- Mountain Biking — Easy access to trails; you can even bike into town.
- Off-Roading / OHV Use — Popular area for off-road vehicle enthusiasts; a motocross park/event is nearby.
- Photography & Nature Viewing — Beautiful scenery with pines, creek, and mountain views.
- Other — Horseback riding, wildlife viewing, and hunting (in season). In winter, the area is close to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities.
Because of its proximity to Mammoth Lakes, campers can easily drive in for groceries, restaurants, shopping, or additional activities like visiting the Mammoth Lakes Basin, Hot Creek, or heading up to Mammoth Mountain for hiking, biking, or gondola rides in summer.
Note: Always check current conditions, fire restrictions, and availability on Recreation.gov, as the campground is reservation-friendly and popular. Bear awareness and proper food storage are essential here.
Bitterbrush Campground – Inyo National Forest
Bitterbrush Campground is a scenic, year-round campground in the Inyo National Forest, located along Bishop Creek in the Eastern Sierra Nevada near Bishop, California.
Description
Situated at approximately 7,000–7,350 feet elevation, about 13 miles west of Bishop via State Route 168 (Line Street), Bitterbrush sits along the banks of Big Pine Creek/Bishop Creek. It features a single-loop layout with 30 single-family campsites.
The campground is popular in spring and fall because it often remains below the snow line or has only light snow when higher sites are inaccessible. It offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, snow-capped peaks, and the Owens Valley, with many sites located creekside amid piñon and Jeffrey pines. The setting provides a mix of open and shaded areas (though shade can be limited in some spots).
It operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations. Fees are typically $23–$31 per night during the main season, with an extra vehicle fee. Camping is free but unstaffed from November through March. It accommodates tents, trailers, and small RVs (max length around 25 ft), with some tent-only sites.
Amenities
- Picnic tables and fire rings/grills at each site
- Bear-proof food storage lockers (important — this is an active bear area)
- Vault toilets (generally 2, available seasonally)
- Potable drinking water (mid-May to mid-October; none in winter)
- Trash bins (serviced in summer)
- Pets allowed
- No showers, hookups, or dump station
- Some cell service (one of the better spots farther up the canyon)
Activities in the Area
- Fishing — Bishop Creek offers good trout fishing
- Hiking & Backpacking — Nearby trailheads access the John Muir Wilderness, including routes toward lakes, peaks like Chocolate Peak, and longer treks
- Wildlife viewing — Common sightings include birds, deer, and occasional eagles
- Scenic driving & photography — Bishop Creek Canyon is especially beautiful in fall with changing colors
- Mountain biking and nature trails
- Picnicking and relaxing by the creek
- Stargazing — Excellent dark skies in the Eastern Sierra
- Winter camping — Possible due to lower elevation
- Nearby attractions include other Bishop Creek campgrounds, South Lake, Lake Sabrina, Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, and the town of Bishop for resupply.
Tips: Bring bear awareness practices, prepare for variable weather (hot days/cool nights), and note that it can get busy on weekends. It’s a great base for exploring the Eastern Sierra while staying relatively close to Bishop. Always check current conditions on the USDA Forest Service website, as details like water availability can change seasonally.
Masonic California – Mono County Ghost Town
Originally known as Lorena, Masonic California is a ghost town located in the mountains north east of Bridgeport, California. Masonic was founded in 1860 by masons and therefor the name of the town. The Masonic District was a natural follower to the excitement is neighboring Aurora and Bodie. This area was small in scale comparatively and a stamp mill wasn’t onsite until 1907. The population maxes out at about 1000 people, and about four years later the excitement began to wane.
Early Beginnings (1860–1900)
The ghost town of Masonic, located approximately 10 miles northeast of Bridgeport in Mono County, California, emerged in the 1860s when a group of Freemasons discovered gold in the region. Named for the fraternal order, the settlement was initially called Lorena and developed into three distinct sections: Upper Town (originally Lorena), Middle Town, and Lower Town (formerly Caliveda). Situated in a canyon near the Nevada border in the Bodie Hills, Masonic’s early gold claims were overshadowed by larger strikes in nearby Bodie and Aurora, leaving the area largely undeveloped for decades.
In 1900, a 16-year-old prospector from Bodie named Joe Green rediscovered gold, establishing the Jump Up Joe Mine. Unable to finance its development, Green sold the claim, which sparked renewed interest in the Masonic Mining District. This district, spanning roughly 6 by 12 miles, encompassed over 40 claims at its peak and set the stage for Masonic’s brief boom.
Boom Years (1902–1911)
The discovery that transformed Masonic occurred on July 4, 1902, when partners John Stuart Phillips, Caleb Dorsey, and John M. Bryan struck a rich quartz ledge, founding the Pittsburg-Liberty Mine—named for Phillips’ hometown of Pittsburgh and the Independence Day holiday. Ore from the mine assayed at values between $35 and $800 per ton, with a reported nugget in 1904 valued at $4,000 per ton. This strike triggered a mining boom, and by 1906, Masonic’s population reached approximately 1,000 residents.
Infrastructure developed rapidly to support the growing community. By 1904, new roads linked Masonic to Bridgeport and Bodie, facilitating freight and passenger traffic. Lumber was transported nearly 50 miles from Mono Mills via the Bodie & Benton Railroad and six-horse wagons over Geiger Grade. Stagecoach lines connected Masonic to Wellington, Nevada, and Conway Ranch in the Mono Basin by 1906–1907. Telephone service arrived in 1905, and Middle Town saw the construction of a solid aspen-log cabin for Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Carpenter, notable for its rare glass-paneled door.
Middle Town became the commercial center, hosting a post office (established as Lorena in 1905, renamed Masonic in 1906), a general store, a livery stable, a butcher shop, and a hotel/boarding house. Lower Town featured the Jeffry Hotel, two saloons, and the Pittsburg-Liberty Mill, while Upper Town housed mine offices. The Masonic Pioneer newspaper, published by George Montrose of the Bridgeport Chronicle-Union, began in November 1905 but ceased after 2–3 years. Despite its growth, Masonic lacked a formal Masonic lodge, churches, or brothels, and maintained a relatively orderly reputation compared to Bodie, with no recorded shootings. Social life flourished, with dances featuring the Bodie Orchestra attracting large crowds.
In 1907, the Pittsburg-Liberty Mine opened a 10-stamp mill, allowing on-site ore processing. By 1910, the mine had produced approximately $700,000 in gold (equivalent to millions today). However, the ore veins were inconsistent, and production began to decline by 1911.
Decline and Abandonment (1911–1930s)
Masonic’s prosperity was fleeting due to shallow and uneven ore deposits. By 1911, mining activity had significantly decreased. A tramway constructed in 1913 to transport ore to the mill provided only temporary relief. The post office closed in 1912, briefly reopened in 1913, and shut permanently in 1927, with services transferred to Bridgeport. By 1920, the population had dwindled to just 12 residents, and mining activity nearly ceased by the 1930s. World War II’s ban on non-essential gold mining delivered the final blow, leaving Masonic abandoned.
Masonic Today
Today, Masonic is a true ghost town with minimal remnants, primarily in Middle Town, including stone cabin ruins, the timbered frame of the Pittsburg-Liberty Mill, and parts of the aerial tram system. Accessible via a 12-mile 2WD road from Bridgeport or an 8-mile 4WD route from Sweetwater Road, the site offers stunning views of the Sweetwater Mountains and Bridgeport Valley. Local lore suggests the ghost of John Phillips haunts the nearby Chemung Mine on Saturday nights, adding to the town’s eerie allure. Unlike the preserved Bodie State Historic Park, Masonic remains a “wild” ghost town, attracting adventurers and historians seeking an unpolished glimpse into California’s gold rush era.
Masonic’s ruins stand as a testament to its brief but vibrant history, reflecting the transient nature of mining towns in the American West. Its remote location and sparse remains preserve its rugged authenticity, making it a compelling destination for those exploring Mono County’s past.