Tag: High Sierra

The High Sierras are a breathtaking expanse of rugged beauty nestled along the eastern edge of California. Towering granite peaks, some soaring over 14,000 feet, dominate the skyline, their jagged silhouettes contrasting against the clear blue skies. Deep, glacier-carved valleys harbor pristine alpine lakes reflecting the surrounding peaks like mirrors. Patches of dense pine forests cling to steep slopes, providing habitat for diverse wildlife ranging from elusive mountain lions to playful marmots. Trails wind through meadows ablaze with wildflowers in spring and summer, offering hikers and adventurers unparalleled vistas and a profound sense of solitude amidst nature’s grandeur.

French Camp Campground

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Camping in the High Sierras is not as easy as it once was, however this fact offers one the ability to explore and remove oneself from their comfort zone.  French Camp campground was the result of just this fact for me and as result, I found a little gem in the High Sierra.  

French Camp Campground is located along Rock Creek in the Inyo National Forest
French Camp Campground is located along Rock Creek in the Inyo National Forest

On our last trip, we planned on visiting and exploring the High Sierra.  Immediately, we planned on returning to Convict Lake.  Perhaps Lake Mary or Twin Lakes Campground in Mammoth Mountain however all of these campgrounds where sold out for our time period. I did not want to relocate our campsite during the course of our trip.

Each campsite had quite a bit of room and the undergrowth was such that you did have a bit of privacy. There was a lot of trees to offer shade on a warm June day. Each location had a table and fire ring. The soil is sanding and this old campground has quiet a bit of soot and charcoal mixed into to it from years of fires. This could mean an interesting and frequent clean up period with children.

The flush bathrooms were centrally located and cleaned on a regulate basis. Rock creek ran along the northern side of the campground and allowed for easy creek access for fishing.

French Camp , like many High Sierra Campgrounds does have California Black Bear from time to time. During our stay, there was bear activity. One report had a bear come into camp while a family was having dinner. This bear apparently helped itself to several rolls while the family looked on.

French Camp Campground is just one a string the campgrounds along Rock Creek. The campground host at French Camp was a very personable man, who did a great job keeping the place clean and greeting the campers.

Directions

From Bishop go north on Hwy 395 approximately 23 miles to Tom’s Place.  Turn southwest on Rock Creek Road and go approximately one mile to the campground on the right.

Campground Summary

Campground NameFrench Camp
Latitude, Longitude37.552500, -118.679167
Sites86
Elevation7200 ft
AmmenitiesBear Boxes, Fire rings, Table, Flust Toilets, Shower, Water, Camp host

French Camp Trail Map

A Sons introduction to High Sierra fishing

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Fishing Rock Creek at French Camp, High Sierra, CA
Fishing Rock Creek at French Camp, High Sierra, CA

As a boy growing up, I was fortunate enough to spend a great deal of time in the High Sierra mountains fishing.  When I was about five years old, I learned to fish in Lone Pine Creek, California under the watchful eye of my grandfather.  We left camp one afternoon and walked about 50 feet to a small pool next to our campsite.  My memory of this event has faded, but my recollection of the event is that I quickly caught my limit of Rainbow trout within about 30 minutes and returned to camp with a full stringer of fish.  I recall my grandfather recalling later that it was the “damnedest thing”, and surely proof of beginners luck.  Time embellishes all tales, and true with fish stories the facts of the actual event may no longer support the tale being told.  It is true non the less that I had beginners luck!

For the next fifteen years or so, my parents, brother and I would spend a great deal of time in the High Sierra, or other camping locations.  My brother and I perfected our fishing technique in the high mountain lakes and streams.  We did not always catch our limit, nor did we have a desire to harvest more than we could eat that day, but we often had fresh trout for dinner.  Eventually, our camping trips became further and far between and my interest in fishing waned as the cost for a licensed increased.

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