The Lake with Horizontal Stripes!
Who was it, Yogi Berra that said: "How many ways do I love
thee?" Or maybe it was that English guy with a beard. Can’t
remember, I get them mixed up. But whoever it was must have been
talking about me and Convict Lake in the Eastern Sierra. Then
Yogi, or the other guy said: "Let me count the ways."
I guess that too was about me and that lake for I do love the
place. And in many ways. So let’s play a game; see if you
can guess what one scenario it is that most impresses me.
You: OK, that’s easy. Obviously it has to be the beauty.
There are few places with the varied physical characteristics
of the Convict Lake area. Sitting in an aluminum skiff on a small
but deep serene lake at 7800 feet elevation and looking up at
a very nearby mountain that pokes its jolting granite heads far
above the timber line can do a lot for you if you haven’t
been recently awestruck. Mt. Morrison can do that for you. In
fact it’s almost as good as catching a three-pound 'bow.
Well – you know what I mean!
Me. Sorry, no kewpie doll. However, I have to admit, it is a
tremendously scenic High Sierra spot.
You: Then if it’s not the natural beauty it has to be the
trout. When you visit the neat little store and tackle shop, and
you’re standing at the counter, you look up at about a 45
degree angle and see the most beautiful German Brown trout of
about nine pounds – caught in Convict Lake. It will get
your attention. And so will the other fish that come out of Convict
Lake or Convict Creek, including some downright hog rainbows and
browns. Convict always rates highly in the competition for big
fish. So if it isn’t the beauty that’s got to be it!
Me: Sorry again, but you’re making it tough on me. That’s
temptingly true, and it could change my mind, but no bingo.
You: OK, it’s a dead giveaway because I know that down
deep you are a committed creek fisherman; it’s the stream
fishing. The upper creek, after tumbling down a beautiful run
through pines, cottonwoods, and aspen spreads out and enters the
upper reaches of the lake (creating a hot fishing spot.) The lower
stretch begins where you cross over Convict Creek at the lake’s
outlet. As if touched by nature’s wand this beautiful creek
evolves into a tree lined stream amongst the high desert chaparral
that makes up a great deal of the “Crowley” landscape.
And the farther you walk up or down either of these streams the
better the fishing becomes. I guess I mean challenging where those
dark trout come out of their rocky hideouts and BITE! There are
some great fish that have come out of those streams. Gotcha!
Me: You’re getting tougher on me, and actually that could
make me change my mind; but no gold ring, not yet.
You: Be honest now, because I know you’re kind of a fat
guy the attraction has to be that great restaurant at the resort
that people from all over the Eastern Sierra will travel to experience.
If streamfishing didn’t get you then the food will. But
this is not a coffee shop, they have chefs, not cooks. Just looking
at the menu is a challenge and second only to eating all the food
you are served.
Me: As good as it is, and you’re right on about me and food,
but you’ll have to try another angle.
You: OK, my last and best shot. Hey, this spot has it all, lodging,
great camping facilities with RV stations, camp and trailer sites,
showers at the lodge, a fine little mountain store and tackle
shop, boat rentals including patio boats, a fish cleaning station,
lot’s of cabin rentals and even houses that will hold great
numbers of visitors. Add a lot of fish, horseback riding, a pack
station, and trailheads to some awesome destinations. And talk
about a place to relax. You’ve got the entire Eastern Sierra
ambience to kick back in and forget the world. All that with great
service from pleasant and friendly people. So that’s it,
there’s nothing left; it’s the totality of this place,
a destination that you can visit and never have to leave during
your break from over-civilization. So, final guess; this has to
be it!
Me: Hey, this is getting tougher, but no prize yet. Partly because
you forgot to mention that you can hang up your keys, leave your
tent, car, truck, SUV, motorhome, or trailer and walk to every
convenience or activity the Convict area has to offer. I said
walk, not hike. But even so, while all of this is true, and without
exaggeration, there is still one more factor most overlook. And
this is my final point; you take a left off the busiest highway
in the Eastern Sierra and experience a drive that that takes you
magically from the high desert scenario to the beautiful alpine
venue that is Convict Lake and all of its activity. All this only
1.9 miles from Highway 395!
Where? How? Just drive 395 about six miles past the Crowley turn-off
and take a left at the sign on the right side of the road (just
before you reach the Mammoth Airport) that so unassumingly says
Convict Lake. That’s it, take a left and prepare for that
road traveling through high desert stuff – for less than
two miles! That’s all and that’s it. Envision all
that we’ve discussed and the resort is only 1.9 miles from
the busiest highway in the Eastern Sierra – U.S. 395!
If you approach from the Mammoth area drive about three miles
past the Mammoth Lakes off-ramp, and look for the same sign (the
turn-off is just past the airport) that simply says Convict Lake.
Take a right to this neat little place!
And don’t forget your camera and license but do forget
your cares.
Contacts: 800-992-2260/ 760-934-3800; or www.convictlakeresort.com |
