Several weeks ago, I suggested that you pick up the 2006 version of a publication called "Fishing The California Alps."
This free newspaper, now in its 15th year, is produced by Paul and Gloria Washam of Family Enterprises of nearby Woodfords, Calif.
That publication covers all kinds of fishing and recreational opportunities all the way from Inyo County on the south to the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the west to Plumas and Sierra Counties to the north and Mineral County in Nevada to the east, with all kinds of locations in between.
This week, I would like to suggest that you pick up another 2006 publication called "Adventures - The 2006 Recreation Guide."
It is produced by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and it is jammed-packed with all kinds of useful and interesting information about the Bridgeport and Carson Ranger Districts of the Humboldt-Toyiabe National Forest of the USFS.
That 2006 recreation guide was produced by the staffs of the Bridgeport and Carson Ranger Districts (with very special thanks to Lindsay Pulliam), and was published by the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association and American Land and Leisure Incorporated, in partnership with the USFS.
Here's some of the contents:
Average Temps and Prec
in Carson City:
Did you know that Carson City's average snowfall in the month of January is 7.4 inches or that our average precipitation in the month of July is only 0.28 of an inch? Yep!
That plus much more is on page No. 2 in this publication.
Helpful Phone Numbers:
All the way, alphabetically, from the Alpine County Visitor Center at (530) 6994-2475 to Yosemite National Park Campground Reservations at (800) 436-7275.
Kids' page:
A page, complete with a "water word search" puzzle, a bird bingo card, and an interesting exercise that compares a person to a bird.
Bridgeport Area Services:
All kinds of phone numbers for that area's motels, resorts, grocery stores, convenience stores, sporting goods, food locations, dump stations, gas diesel and propane locations, gift shops, boat rentals, horse packers, fishing guides and chamber of commences.
What to do:
Including: Bodie State Historic Park, Leavitt Falls Overlook, the Alpine County Death Ride for bicyclists, fishing and hunting, hiking and backpacking, mountain biking, horseback riding, etc.
Caring for The Land:
This page includes a short story on the Rosachi Ranch Restoration.
That ranch is located at the intersection of Nevada. S.R. 338 and Forest Road No. 028 near "The Elbow" on the East Walker River.
Camping Guide:
A detailed listing of campgrounds in the Bridgeport and Carson Ranger Districts that range from Trumbull Lake Campground (at an elevation of 9,500') in the Virginia Lakes area south and west of Bridgeport, all the way to the Mt. Rose Campground, located near the Mt. Rose Summit of S.R. 431 (between Lake Tahoe and Reno).
Bears:
An entire page devoted to interesting facts about the black bears that inhabit this general area.
For example, did you know that when black bears hibernate, their heart beat is 12 beats per minute?
Wilderness Guide:
All kinds of useful and important information on the Carson-Iceberg, Mokelumne, Hoover and Mt. Rose Wilderness Area.
Did you know that you need a Wildness Permit to camp overnight in a wilderness area? And, did you know that from the last Friday in June to Sept. 15, there is a quota on the number of overnight camping permits that are issued?
Carson Ranger District Day Hikes:
A detailed listing of day hikes for the Thomas Creek Trail, Whites Canyon Trail, Mt. Rose Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail,. Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, Ophir Creek Trail.
Also some tips on the 10 essential things that you need to have with you on a day hike, including a first aid kit and a fire starter.
Outdoor Safety:
Tips on dealing with Hypothermia, lightning, ticks, dehydration, Giardiasis and mountain lions.
Finally:
Copies of the 2006 publication can be obtained in this area at the USFS offices in Carson City and Bridgeport, the Alpine County Chamber of Commerce and the USFS Supervisor's office in Sparks.
Drop into the Carson Ranger Station at 1536 S. Carson St. or call Frank Pemberton at 882-2766.
And, remember, when you visit any outdoor area listed, when you leave, leave just your footprints.
• Bet Your Favorite Pigeon
Bet your favorite pigeon that he can't tell you which is my favorite wilderness area in California.
If he grins and says, "It is the Hoover Wilderness Area in the summer for trout fishing and the Mokelumne Wilderness Area in the winter for cross country skiing," he has either been backpacking or cross country skiing with me.
• Don Quilici is the Outdoors editor for the Nevada Appeal.