Destination specialist in Eastern Sierra, Julie Faber says the region is increasingly accessible as a result of United Airlines flights between San Francisco and Bishop.
Once at BIH a self-drive around an area that spans national and state parks, national forests, lakes and historic sites is an easy proposition, she says.
‘Yosemite National Park is a high-profile destinations but there are other areas where the hiking is just as spectacular and often less trafficked.
Faber recommends a visit to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, home to what is said to be the oldest living thing (the pine itself) on earth.
The region has released an EST (Eastern Sierra Tour) that visitors can use as a road tip guide. It includes Alabama Hills (a National Scenic Area of rock formations, Sierra hills and hundreds of natural stone arches), and Bodie State Historic Park (a ghost town that was once home to some 10,000 miners, store owners, gunfighters and robbers) as well as a number of other sites.
