Changing Colors, Cooler Temps, and Longer Nights

Join us and our partners this October for upcoming events!

The first day of autumn began on the equinox, September 23, when day and night are around the same length. To celebrate the transition of seasons and help you settle into the comfort of autumn, we have special programs, workshops, and updates.

What causes fall colors?



Chlorophyll, the part of a leaf that performs photosynthesis, makes leaves green because chlorophyll reflects green light. As autumn arrives and deciduous trees prepare to drop their leaves, chlorophyll breaks down to allow the tree to suck in nitrogen and other vital nutrients from the leaves. In the absence of chlorophyll, compounds such as flavonoids, carotenoids, and anthocyanins become visible. These compounds reflect red, orange, and yellow light, giving leaves their fiery fall colors. In the eastern Sierra, aspens and cottonwoods give a great show!

Photo: South Lake, Oct. 29th, 2022.

Special Programs

8th Annual Eastern Sierra History Conference

October 27-29: Cerro Coso Community College, Bishop, CA

Join us to learn more about many facets of history in the eastern Sierra!

Special field trips are planned for October 29: Hydropower and History in Lee Vining Canyon and an afternoon tour of Deep Springs College.

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 schedule, field trips, and to register!

Certified Interpretive Guide Training

October 16-19, 2023: White Mountain Research Station, Bishop , CA

Eastern Sierra Mountain Film Festival

Presented by Eastern Sierra Arts Alliance and ESIA

October 4 & 5: Bishop Twin Theatre

October 6 & 7: Edison Theatre, Mammoth Lakes

Based in Mammoth Lakes, the Eastern Sierra Mountain Film Festival focuses on films that represent Mountain Culture, the environment, and the lifestyle of mountain living. We screen shorts and feature documentaries that educate and enlighten the world around us on issues surrounding conservation, human rights, indigenous culture, climate change, endangered species, outdoor sports, and more. This a live 4-day event. Day tickets and all-in-one passes available.

October 4: 7 pm at Bishop Twin Theater- Opening Night

BAD PRESS - Dir. Rebecca Landsberry-Baker (Muscogee Creek), Joe Peeler - When the Muscogee Nation suddenly begins censoring their free press, a rogue reporter fights to expose her government’s corruption in a historic battle that will have ramifications for all of Indian Country.

October 5: 7 pm at Bishop Twin Theater- 3 Rock Climbing Shorts

A LITTLE LIFE - Dir. Eric Bissell

Professional climber Keenan Takahashi reflects on a life of passion while attempting to climb a terrifying and difficult new route in the legendary Buttermilk Boulders of Bishop California.

RESISTANCE CLIMBING - Dir. Nick Rosen, Zachary Barr, Peter Mortimer

Amidst the ancient terraces and strife-torn hills of Palestine, this diverse crew of Bedouins, activists, and urban professionals invite us on a journey to explore the beautiful limestone cliffs of their homeland and the power of climbing to transform lives.

RAYU - Dir. Nick Rosen, Erik Osterholm

Elite sport climbers Sasha DiGiulian and Matilda Söderlund team up with trad specialist Brette Harrington to attempt a free ascent of the 2,000-foot alpine rock route, Rayu — a 5.14 in Spain’s Picos de Europa. Unrepeated since its first ascent by the Basque Pou brothers and Kiko Cerdá in 2020.

October 6: 7 pm at Edison Theatre

COMMON GROUND - Dir. Josh Tickell and Rebecca Tickell

A sweeping and uplifting story of the pioneers of the “Regenerative Movement” who are forgoing the toxic seeds and sprays pushed by Big Ag in order to produce tremendous quantities of nutritionally dense food while bringing our entire ecosystem back to life.

October 7: 4 pm at Edison Theatre - Environmental and Mountain Culture Shorts

PADDLE TRIBAL WATERS - Dir. Paul Robert Wolf Wilson, Rush Sturges

​

When the largest dam removal project in history begins, a group of indigenous youth learn to whitewater kayak in hopes of becoming the first people to paddle the restored river from source to sea.

CALL IN THE CRÈCHE - Dir. Tim Guthrie

​

A mini-doc about a crèche in Paparoa, New Zealand, focused on saving an iconic species of kiwi, and how that relates to protecting the entire ecosystem.

SHIRAMPARI: LEGACIES OF THE RIVER - Dir. Lucía Flórez

​

In one of the most remote places in the Peruvian Amazon, an Ashéninka boy must overcome his fears and catch a giant catfish using only a hook to start his journey as an adult.

PYTHON HUNTRESS - Dir. Nicholas Orris, Matt Deblinger

Run Time 19 Mins

​

A glimpse into the life of Donna Kalil, an environmentalist who spends her nights patrolling the Florida Everglades in search of the Burmese Python–an invasive apex predator that has devastated local wildlife. Learn about the problem with pythons and why for Donna, fulfilling her job responsibilities does not always come easy.

TRANSCENDENCE - Dir. Michelle Smith

​

After suffered a devastating accident in the mountains that began his journey as an adaptive athlete. This film follows his path from recovery to the cutting edge of adaptive climbing, working his way up to an epic first ascent in Washington’s North Cascades with legendary mountain guide Mark Allen.

October 7: 7 pm at Edison Theatre- Closing Night

NO LEGS ALL HEART - Dir. Pablo Durana

While studying abroad in Prague, André Kajlich suffered a terrible accident, leaving him with both legs amputated. After years of addiction, struggle, and coming to terms with this life-changing accident, Kajlich aims to be the first double amputee to complete the Race Across America. In No Legs All Heart, we find a story about the true test of the human spirit, overcoming addiction and the pain we endure to carve our own path in life. As Kajlich says, “We are disabled in things we can’t do… but there is no shortage of things that any of us can do.”

Stay afterward for a complimentary reception with awards, open beer, wine bar.

Annular Solar Eclipse

Join an ESIA interpretive specialist for a talk and witness one of the celestial events of the year!

October 14

9 am: Mobius Arch Trailhead Parking, Alabama Hills

Solar glasses and an eclipse projector will be provided for viewing, paired with a short talk about the phenomenon.

On October 14th, the solar eclipse will start at approximately 8:06 am, peak at 9:23 am, and end at 10:48 am in the eastern Sierra, with 80% coverage of the sun, creating dusk-like conditions.

Alabama Hills Artist-In-Residency Events

Art and Observation Walk

October 7

9am – 10:30am: DWP Lot, corner of Whitney Portal Rd and Movie Rd

Join BLM’s artist-in-residence, Alyssa Marquez, between the jagged peaks of the Sierra Nevada and Owens Valley for an Observation and Art Walk within the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area. Participants will take short hikes in the rounded rocks and eroded hills to observe their surroundings and create brief artworks (e.g. drawings, photography, poetry, audio recordings, video) in response to these observations.

The Observation and Art Walk allows participants to experience the environment through a focused perspective, uncovering textures, animals and sounds that might normally go unnoticed.

Morning refreshments will provided by ESIA.

All mediums are welcome. Please bring your own supplies.

Highlights, News, & Updates

Welcome Back to the Bishop Climbing Rangers!

Join us in welcoming the Bishop Climbing Rangers for the 2023-2024 season.

Casey Fellhoelter is returning for his second season as a Bishop Climbing Ranger and is stoked for a great season ahead!

He started climbing nearly a decade ago in the hills of East Tennessee where he fell in love with the sport. Since then, Casey has traveled the country climbing and working to better our public lands and recreation opportunities. He cares about conservation and responsible recreation, his best feline friend Spooky, and the beautiful places in the Eastern Sierra he’s come to call home. He’s excited to get back to work and help protect the areas we love.

Kara Flowers' climbing began in western North Carolina, where she worked in outdoor education guiding adventure trips through the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. For the past few years, she has traveled up and down the West Coast climbing full-time on beautiful granite, exploring the mysteries of the desert, and meeting inspiring climbers and adventurers. She is excited to be back in Bishop diving deeper into the climbing community and helping to preserve this magical land. 

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 annual discounts on in-store ESIA retail items and 10% off in-store purchases at over 400 public land stores.

Thank you for reading!

Photo: ksblack99

The white-lined sphinx moths were very abundant this year in the Sierra Nevada. They fly in the afternoon and are often mistaken for a hummingbird. They are known to feed on many host plants as a caterpillar and pollinate a variety of flowers as an adult.

Did you see them in big numbers this year?

Explore our website, follow us on social media, 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.