October 20, 2003

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike." -- John Muir


Greetings Rock Creekers!  Well, here it is, my monthly newsletter 2 months late!  I'm sorry I haven't been able to get anything written since July.  On July 1, I began teaching in Los Angeles, and I've been working ever since.  I haven't been able to spend much time up at Rock Creek as a result, and it makes it hard to gather information and write being 300 miles to the south in the soul-crushing concrete jungle.  However, I spent 4 straight weekends up there in September and October and got some of my sanity back.

John Muir was right about people needing places like Rock Creek to find themselves again.  I wonder how many people completely change once they leave their world behind...once the emphasis on work, unnecessary luxuries, and constant sensory stimulation is no longer jammed down their throats.  I transform almost immediately, as the buildings, freeways, horns, sirens, and concrete give way to the wide open expanses of the desert outside of Lancaster.  My breathing slows, my eyes see more clearly, and I can feel "me" coming back again.  Enough about me though.  Onto what's been happening up the hill...


--WEATHER--
This has definitely been an interesting summer weather-wise in the Eastern Sierra.  Much of the region received significant precipitation as a result of thunderstorms on numerous occasions in July and early August, however Rock Creek Lake was spared the "big rains."  According to Rock Creek Lakes Resort, the lake received close to 3 inches of rainfall during the summer, while other areas got much more, including Tom's Place.  In fact, one thunderstorm dumped enough water on the recent burn area above Holiday Campground to cause a significant slide that closed Rock Creek road and totaled a car trying to avoid the slide.  Mud, rock, and other debris littered French Camp and Holiday, giving campground managers more responsibilities than they perhaps had bargained for.  Evidence of this storm is still visible on the uphill side of the road just before you enter the narrows.

Since the rains ended in August, warm and dry conditions have dominated.  These conditions have continued into the fall, refusing to give way to more seasonal cool, breezy, and occasionally stormy weather.  Today's high of 66 and low of 36 is far above normal for 9,600 feet in October.  A couple of weeks ago the local forecaster said a "major change" was setting up for the middle of October.  That forecast has not panned out, and in fact, just the opposite has been the case.  Jim King, owner of Rock Creek Lakes Resort, reports near record temperatures have been the norm for most of the month of October.  Amazingly, this weather pattern is expected to continue at least through the coming weekend, with perhaps a cooling trend on the horizon.  Yet another great weekend to come up and enjoy the fall colors, fantastic fishing, and beautiful weather that is in store.

--FISHING--
Finding fish in the creek and lake is not a problem presently.  DFG has been stocking lots of fish in both the creek and lake recently, and it's pretty difficult to find an area that doesn't have fish.  The problem has been getting them to bite consistently.  The creek directly above the inlet to the lake is full of spawning trout, but most are reluctant to bite.  They're far more interested in reproducing the species.  I was able to get some to bite on small frog and grasshopper Super Dupers, Panther Martins, and sonic Rooster Tails, but the bite died off pretty quickly after a couple of catches.  Changing lures frequently didn't help either.  I had to move often to continue catching fish.  Nearly every fish I caught was male, which I thought was interesting (maybe someone has some insight on why this is the case).  Most bait fishermen are doing well using Power Worms, live crickets, nightcrawlers, Power Bait, and Sierra Gold.  Flyfisherfolks are catching fish with the usual streamers in the lake, including matukas, wooly buggers, and hornbergs.  Nymphs are also working well when used as a dropper off a dry fly such as a caddis.  Try a hares ear, pheasant tail, prince nymph, or other small nymph in this fashion.

Angler of the year: Jim Yokoyama of Newport Beach
Catching large fish is always a goal of a fisherman, and Jim Yokoyama did so on a consistent basis all summer this year.  On 4-5 occasions, Jim strode into the resort with a stringer of 5 fish weighing in excess of 10+ pounds, the largest being over 17 pounds.  While other anglers were complaining, Jim very methodically was catching fish in the 2-5 pound range and releasing dozens of smaller fish.  Congratulations on being our inaugural "Angler of the Year," Jim.

The end of the fishing season is less than 2 weeks away at the lake.  Fishing in Inyo County's high country ends October 31.  However, don't forget that Mono County extended its fishing season a couple of years ago to November 15, so although Rock Creek Lake will be closed for fishing on November 1, the creek will still be open from Upper Pine Grove campground downstream.  The county line is slightly more upstream from there, but to be safe, use Upper Pine Grove as the cutoff for fishing after October 31.


--CAMPING--
As the weather attempts to cool off and the colors continue to fade, the camping in Rock Creek slows down.  The Milams, managers of the camping in Rock Creek, with the help of the various campground managers, have begun closing down the campgrounds in Rock Creek.  By November 3, the canyon will once again be quiet, but until then, many campgrounds will remain open to accommodate those campers that want to get in their last "fix" before winter descends on the region.

Closing dates for Big and Iris Meadow have been extended to October 28 after initial plans to close on September 9.  Palisade and Holiday are closed for the season, as are portions of East Fork and French Camp.  The remainder of East Fork and French Camp, along with Rock Creek Lake (weather depending), will close for the season on November 3.  Aspen Group Camp closes on the 18th, and both Pine Groves and Tuff will close on October 21.

After more than a year of discussing the installation of bear boxes in all the campsites in Rock Creek, the boxes were finally installed in September in nearly every site in the canyon.  Boxes were unable to be installed in a few sites with difficult access, but it's very likely that on your next camping trip to Rock Creek, a bear box will be in your site for storage of food, toiletries, and other items that attract bears.  Now that the canyon is essentially "bear-proof," it's up to the public to follow through on its responsibilities to the bears.  Overall, bears had very few problems with humans this summer in Rock Creek, and the continuing education of the public and bear-proofing of the canyon should further lessen human impact on the bears' habitat.

I asked Mark Milam, the campground manager in Rock Creek this season, to give me his perspective on the camping in Rock Creek.  Here's what he had to say...

"Nearly everyone comes to the canyon to experience a unique and diverse period in their life, usually for a very brief and precious span of time.  For many, this is the one time out of the year that they can free themselves from the workday pressures of their lives.  For some, this might mean sitting in front of a campfire under a blanket of stars in utter silence.  For others it might mean cutting loose, getting as drunk as they can, and abandoning the 'rules.'  Unfortunately, the latter group is becoming an increasing presence."

"My advice to the 'old timers' here is to teach by both word and example what fishing, hiking, camping, and appreciation of nature are about.  Tolerance must become a hallmark.  Everyone needs to understand that the rules are in place to assure the best experience for the majority.  No system as large as this one has grown to can expect to please everyone all the time.  The 'majority' 40 years ago comprised the greater part of perhaps 30,000 people a season.  This year we have had over 75,000 campers alone.  Estimated total visitation is over 200,000.  Play nice, relax, and remember why you are here in the first place."

I couldn't have said it better myself.


--TRAIL CONDITIONS--
The trails in the Rock Creek area are in great condition.  Rock Creek Pack Station has moved its stock to the Owens Valley and there is far less human impact on the trails as well.  Still, the trails remain fairly dusty due to the fact that no precipitation has fallen in the area since August.  Any precipitation that falls now will most likely be in the form of snow which will either melt away quickly and create some fantastic trail conditions, or continue to pile up and essentially end the summer hiking season.  Considering how warm the weather has been this fall, the first couple of snows will most likely melt away rapidly, leaving behind incredible vistas of snow-laden peaks, golden backcountry meadows, and perfect trail conditions.


--OBITUARIES--
May 24, 2003 - October 13, 2003
Cheddar Pear, Fresh Strawberry, Dutch Apple, Lemon Cream, Pecan Chocolate Chip, Key Lime, Boysenberry, Blueberry, Loganberry, Strawberry-Rhubarb, coconut cream, Rhubarb, Fresh Peach, Fresh Nectarine, Banana Cream, apricot, etc.

For the past five months, Sue King's pies have pleased thousands of palettes at Rock Creek Lakes Resort.  However, last Monday at 6:00 PM, Sue and Jim closed the doors of the resort for the last time of the 2003 season, and consequently, Sue's pies have ceased exiting the ovens until May.  Those of you that have made it a priority to indulge yourselves in a piece of Sue's delicacies during your visit have a 7 month wait ahead of you until those enticing aromas are once again emanated from the closet-like kitchen of the resort (those of you that have seen the kitchen know what I'm talking about).


--FEATURED BOOKS--
The water issue in the west has always piqued my interest, especially the battles that have taken place between the city of Los Angeles and the Owens Valley/Eastern Sierra (can you guess the side I'm on?).  Having taught in L. A. for four years now, it's amazing how few people know where their water comes from.  In fact, my students usually have to explain the issue to their parents.  I highly recommend two books and one video on this subject.

"Storm Over Mono" by John Hart is a book that discusses the legal battle between Los Angeles and the Mono Lake Committee over the city's water diversions of Mono Lake water that nearly destroyed the lake's fragile ecosystem on which over 100 species of bird depend.

"Cadillac Desert" by Marc Reisner is a classic literary work about many of the west's water battles, including the Owens Valley. It is meticulously researched and Reisner's "pull-no-punches" approach is refreshing.

"Cadillac Desert: Mulholland's Dream" is a FANTASTIC VHS video that focuses on William Mulholland's transformation from conservationist to empire builder. The father of Los Angeles' modern water system, Mulholland is best known for creating the aqueduct that sends most of the Eastern Sierra's water to the massive city 230 miles south of Owens Lake. This is a tremendous video, with great interviews, video footage, and well-researched historical information. I highly recommend this video!

Well, I think that's it. FYI, there's a 2004 Rock Creek wall calendar available for purchase.  The photos are by Cheri Maynard, an amateur photographer from Long Beach.  The images are good amateur-quality photos, and Cheri is already planning the 2005 version.  Talk about a good Christmas gift for a Rock Creek fan.  If you're interested, check it out at the following link...
http://www.rockcreeklake.com/calendar/

In two days I stop teaching for a couple of months, and I plan to take full advantage of my time off.  Some of the time will be spent in Florida and the Eastern Sierra, but the majority will be spent in Northern California at our family's place on the Trinity River.  We also plan to spend lots of time re-exploring the Humboldt County coast.  I can't wait to get out of the concrete jungle and simply sit by a fire, listen to the rain fall, and return to the simple things in life.  The steelhead and salmon are running in the Trinity, and as a prudent angler, I will not be able to resist the temptation.

Here's to hopes that you'll get one last trip in before the snows start falling.  Until next time, start the wood cuttin', take it easy, and THINK CREEK!!

Tim