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Mountain range in the United States
Photo: Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Sierra Nevada region of California is its alpine region, covering a large portion of the state's inland territory. Rugged mountains and awe-inspiring canyons in the area's national parks and forests are truly part of the United States' national wilderness treasures.
The Eastern Sierra is the remote east side of the Sierra Nevada region of California, covering most of Mono County and a portion of Inyo County. The desert-like yearly rainfalls compete with small streams draining down from the snow-covered mountains to create a barren land with regions of verdant green.
Lake Tahoe is a famous and popular destination with California residents. The lake is large yet at a high elevation; there are developments around the lake, along with lodging options and choices for recreational activity.
Sparsely populated Alpine County advertises itself with the slogan "two people per square mile and you", making it a good option for a quiet mountain getaway. Attractions include the hot spring pools at Grover Hot Springs State Park, amazing views of the Sierras from the Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway, and the excellent winter skiing at Kirkwood Mountain Resort.
Mariposa was the largest county in California at the time of statehood in 1850, but later ceded land that formed twelve other counties. Today it maintains a relatively small footprint in the Sierra Nevada foothills, but has kept one of the state's treasures: Yosemite National Park, home to impossibly tall granite cliffs, remote alpine wilderness, and an iconic valley.
Remote and expansive Mono County is a destination for outdoor enthusiasts. It is the eastern gateway to Yosemite National Park, home to the Old West ghost town of Bodie, and Mammoth Lakes is a favorite winter skiing getaway. The gigantic Mono Lake is perhaps the county's premier attraction, a stopover for millions of migratory birds and thousands of tourists who explore its alkaline waters and bizarre tufa formations.
If traveling to Lake Tahoe, the nearest airport would be Reno/Tahoe International Airport in Neveda. Reno mostly flies throughout the continental United States.
Read in the guideDriving
Yes, traveling in the Sierras is much more difficult and requires more planning than most places.
Hiking
For more information about preparing for dangers, scroll down to the "stay safe" section.
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Mammoth Lakes · Regional · MMH
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Bishop is the largest city in the Eastern Sierra region of California, offering the largest selection of accommodation and services.
Bridgeport is a city in Mono County in the Eastern Sierra region of California.
El Portal is in Mariposa County in California next to Yosemite National Park.
Lee Vining is in California's Eastern Sierra wedged between Mono Lake and the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Mammoth Lakes is a resort town next to Mammoth Mountain which is a popular skiing destination. Mammoth Lakes is in the Eastern Sierra region of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California.
South Lake Tahoe is a city in the Lake Tahoe region of California in El Dorado County. South Lake Tahoe, the largest town around the lake, sits on the south shore, and offers beautiful views of mountains covered with fir and pine trees, deep blue water year-round, and a wealth of outdoor activities.
Tahoe City is a town on the California side of the Lake Tahoe region. The city was once the site of logging and hunting activity for the northern Tahoe Basin, now it is little more than a year round vacation town catering to visitors and locals daily needs.
a shrine to human foresight, strength of granite, power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra.
Immense mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns ... and the world's largest trees!
protects and preserves the Devils Postpile formation, the high Rainbow Falls, and pristine mountain scenery
Manzanar National Historic Site, one of ten camps where Japanese American citizens and resident Japanese aliens were interned during World War II
Sequoia National Forest is a national forest surrounding Sequoia National Park in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. The forest contains many groves of giant sequoias, the largest living things in the world, along with many other gems.
Mono Lake is a massive lake that sits at over 6,000 feet (1,829 m) elevation in the Eastern Sierra region of California, just east of Yosemite National Park. There are no rivers or streams to drain the lake's waters, resulting in high saline (salt) concentrations.
Mount Whitney is in the Sierra Nevada range in California. At an elevation of 14,505 ft (4,421 m) above sea level, it is the highest point in the contiguous United States.
Rock Creek Lake is in the Sierra Nevada region of California.
Home to the bristlecone pines, trees that can live up to 5,000 years.
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