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Alpine Peaks and Summer Splendor in the Eastern Sierra
Join us and our partners this September for upcoming events!
| We've made it through the heat of the summer! What a curious twist that ascending higher into the mountains of the eastern Sierra reveal a landscape still locked in spring. Snow-capped peaks, flowing waterways, and vibrant blooms. We're excited for interpretive walks, talks, and more! | |
Palisade Glacier is one of the southernmost glaciers in the United States. It is located on the flank of five fourteeners in the Palisade Group: Mount Sill, Polemonium, North Palisade, Starlight, and Thunderbolt Peaks. Just a (long!) day's hike away! | |
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Volunteer Projects at Manzanar National Historic Site
September 1-4
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Manzanar will be able to accommodate up to 35 volunteers a day. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old and be able to work outdoors. Volunteers must sign up in advance and may work any number of days or hours, but a full day or multiple days are preferred. Work will be conducted regardless of weather, so please come prepared, bring water, lunch, snacks, sunscreen, hat, and work gloves. There will be a portable toilet and hand-washing station at the work areas. We will meet each day at the Visitor Center parking lot at 7:30 am for introductions and a safety briefing.
Painting: Merritt Park by K. Uetsuzi, 1943
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Tracking Workshop
Lee Vining Area
September 16, 9 am - 3:30 pm
Join professional wildlife tracker and mountain lion researcher Phil Johnston for a day in the woods learning to read the stories of wild animals through tracking. Phil has over a decade of experience teaching tracking and is certified as Senior Tracker through Tracker Certification North America. Come learn to identify the tracks and signs of many charismatic creatures who live in the Eastern Sierra.
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National Public Lands Day
Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center
September 23, 9 am - 4 pm
| Join Inyo National Forest staff for volunteer projects around the Mono Lake District or stop by the visitor center to learn about the impacts our local, state, federal and nonprofit partners have created for public lands. Events at the Mono Basin Visitor Center include educational programs, junior ranger programs, interpretive hikes, and free goodies from our partners! Fun and learning for all ages, with the magical Mono Lake in the background! | |
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Schulman Grove Talk
with Allen Glazner
September 28th, 1-2 pm
Join professor, geologist, author, naturalist, and photographer, Allen Glazner, for a free talk about the Bristlecone Pines and the rocks they prefer. Meet at the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Visitor Center.
To purchase Geology Underfoot in Death Valley and Eastern California, check out our online store.
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Evening Programs
Oh! Ridge Campground, June Lake
Saturday, September 2nd
Last program of the season! This program will run from 7 to 8 p.m. All are welcome to join- even if you are not staying at the campground!
These programs are done in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service and Vista Recreation.
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Evening Bird Outings
in Lee Vining
Thursdays at 5 pm through Sept. 14
Join Lead Naturalist, Ellie, for a sunset bird outing at Mono Lake's County Park and Boardwalk. This free walk is less than one mile and on level ground. Binoculars will be provided but please bring them if you have them!
Bird walks are also offered by the Mono Lake Committee and California State Parks at 8 am Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
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Did you know: a mated pair of Ospreys is called a ‘duet. | | |
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Panum Crater Tours
South of Lee Vining
Fridays, 10 - 11 am through Sept. 15
Join Ellie on an interpretive walk up a small, young volcano! This tour explores the geology of the Mono Basin. This one-mile walk includes elevation gain. Meet at the trailhead.
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Ancient Bristlecone
Walk and Talks
at Schulman Grove
Sunday, September 3 at 11am
Join our lead naturalist, Ellie, for the final Discovery Trail hike of the season. Meet in front of the visitor center. The walk is roughly one mile long at 10,000 feet.
Wednesday through Saturday each week, 11 - 11:15 am.
Short talks are provided by Inyo National Forest at the visitor center through October. Topics include ancient bristlecone pine history and geology!
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South Tufa Tours
Daily at 10am, 1pm, and 6pm
Through September 4
The Mono Lake Committee, Mono Lake Volunteers, U.S. Forest Service, and California State Parks offer free, summer tours. There are two more outings below before these tours are finished for the summer season.
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Looking Ahead: October Events | |
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Eastern Sierra Mountain Film Festival
October 4-7
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Eastern Sierra History Conference
Join us on October 27 and 28 at Cerro Coso Community College in Bishop, CA to learn more about many facets of history in the Eastern Sierra.
Some topics this year include: Women's Climbing History of the Sierra Nevada, Hydropower in the Mono Basin, History of Deep Springs College and many more!
Click the link below to see the draft schedule and registration.
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Alabama Hills Artist-In-Residency Program | |
Important News and Updates | |
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Join us in welcoming Frankie DeVine to the ESIA team. Frankie is the Bookstore Manager at the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center.
Frankie, her fiancé, and son moved to Mammoth Lakes last winter. Frankie has a diverse background in management in everything from veterinary medicine to high-volume retail and food service. Frankie enjoyed managing the Mammoth Museum at the Hayden Cabin this summer and is looking forward to joining the team. When asked what brought her to move to the east side from LA, Frankie will often reply “rocks.” She enjoys mountaineering and climbing with her partner. Living in Mammoth is a dream come true.
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We are proud to support the Inyo National Forest by providing the Junior Ranger booklets and badges for visitors of the Forest. Have you seen our brand-new badge? We are excited about this wooden badge showcasing one of the icons of the forest: Mt. Whitney. Be sure to stop by any Inyo National Forest Visitor Center to get an updated booklet or download a copy below. Complete the booklet to earn your badge.
Open to all ages!
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Summer Highlights
We want to give a huge thank you to each person who came on the interpretive walks, talks, evening programs, and more this summer. We connected with over 600 people this summer with our free programs.
We caught up with Lead Naturalist, Ellie Neifeld, and asked her what the highlight was for her this summer. She said, "getting to meet so many people who were interested in learning more about the eastern Sierra and sharing my passion with them. Also- the wildflowers!"
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Want to Support our Programs?
Become a member! Our free interpretive programs are made possible through the support of our members. New ESIA members are presented with an ESIA Member gift; new and renewing members receive discounts on in-store ESIA retail items and events, and 10% off in-store purchases at over 400 public land stores.
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Crimson Columbines, Aquillegia formosas, are native to Western North America and prefer moist locations such as stream banks. This photo was taken in Lundy Canyon on August 19th, 2023. | |
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Explore our website, follow us on social media, join us for a program, and visit us at one of our many bookstore locations!
We couldn't do this work without your generous support! Another way to give back: make a charitable donation or shop ESIA online to support public lands.
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