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OWAC Fall Conference The outdoor wonders of the Eastern Sierra will be showcased at the Fall 2004 Conference, September 12, 13 and 14, sponsored by Mono County and the community of Mammoth Lakes.
On Sunday, OWAC members will congregate at the Old Gondola Room for the supporting member trade show, general meeting, newsmaker session and craft improvement sessions. Spouses and guests will be free to shop in the nearby village or outlet mall, enjoy use of the inn’s pool and fitness center, visit the area’s ski museum, ride the ski area gondola, or enjoy 10% discounted treatments at the Stillpoint Spa (appointments required - 1-760-934-7138). A reception and banquet occur that evening at Mammoth Lake’s Whiskey Creek Restaurant.
Monday field trip options include: That evening, the entire conference travels to Red’s Meadow Pack Station for a BBQ, western music, and hay rides to Rainbow Fall (bring a warm jacket).
Pre Trip Taking a field trip is a great way to acclimate to the higher elevations of the Eastern Sierra. From Friday, Sept. 10 to Sunday, Sept. 12, a Pre Trip will visit Topaz Lake and the nearby communities of Topaz, Coleville and Walker. Friday evening, the group will enjoy a BBQ and boat excursion at Topaz Lake. On Saturday, the group will either enjoy bait and tackle fishing on Topaz Lake or ride from Levitt’s Meadow Pack Station for fly fishing at a mountain lake. Also to be visited during this pre-trip are the antique shops of Colevile, artist community of Walker, and gaming center of Topaz. Accommodations will be at the Topaz Lodge and Casino.
Taking a Post Trip is a great way to extend your Mono County/Mammoth Lakes experience. Three choices of Post Trips are available from Tuesday, Sept. 14 through Thursday, Sept. 16: Bridgeport, Lee Vining/Tioga Pass and Convict Lake.
Cattle graze across the wide grassy plains surrounding Bridgeport for much of the year. Rising behind this bucolic scene is an inspirational sawtooth range within Yosemite National Park, providing the quintessential western landscape. From the Bridgeport Inn, Post Trip participants will dip their lines at Twin Lakes, Virginia Lakes and/or Bridgeport Reservoir. Others will meet the Bridgport Gun Club for trap shooting, participate in tours of Bodie Ghost Town SHP, drive offroad along the Dunderberg Mine Road near Green Creek, or accompany a guide on a walk to the Hoover Wilderness above Virginia Lakes. On return to Bridgeport, Post Trip participants will enjoy a sampling of Bridgeport area restaurants to satisfy any palate. Accommodations will be at the Bridgeport Inn.
Lee Vining, at the base of the Sierra below Tioga Pass, is the gateway both to Yosemite National Park and Mono Lake. On arrival, Post Trip participants will fish on nearby creeks and lakes or accompany naturalists to Mono Lake (one of California’s finest birding destinations). That evening, the group dines at the most unexpected place ever included in a press trip… a convenience store. Of course, the Whoa Nellie Deli isn’t any ordinary convenience store. At the bottom of Tioga Pass, this Mobile gas station is considered to have the finest restaurant at any American rest stop, attracting diners from far and wide for its gourmet fare. On Wednesday, anglers and hikers will ride by water taxi across Saddlebag Lake and tour the Tioga Pass Resort, Ellery Lakes and Tioga Lake. On the final day of the Post Trip, the group will breakfast at the Double Eagle Resort and Spa at June Lake before exploring the June Lake area. Accommodations will be at Murphy’s Lodge in Lee Vining.
After an infamous prison breakout in 1871, the escapees shot it out with lawmen at the southernmost of the conference’s three Post Trip locations… Convict Lake. Today, famous for its trout fishing, hiking, camping, boating and views, the Convict Lake Resort is a center of outdoor recreational action in the Eastern Sierra. This Post Trip provides a rare opportunity to experience Convict Lake and its many recreational amenities. The Resort is offering OWAC members a 50% discount on cabin-styled lodging (accommodating 6 - 25) and 50% off meals at The Restaurant at Convict Lake (renowned for its country French menu featuring Rack of Lamb, Beef Wellington, steaks, salmon, pasta and fresh Alpers Ranch trout). Horseback riding and use of boats will be available to Post Trip participants. Because cabins at the Convict Lake Resort are in high demand, OWAC members are urged to reserve space as soon as possible by calling Dave DeSurra at 1-760-934-3800. To obtain the special OWAC discount, identify yourself as an OWAC Fall Conference Post Trip participant. Further, because the Resort’s cabins accommodate from 6 to 25, OWAC members are encouraged to share cabins and thus benefit from the deep discount being offered by the Resort.
Registration Forms Participant Registration Form Supporting Members and Conference Contributors Trade Show Registration Form Brown Bag Lunch Registration Form (for 9/13/2004) Conference Partners and Hosts Links |
The Mammoth Mountain Inn in Mammoth Lakes is the site of the Fall Conference. At 9,000 feet in elevation, the Mammoth Mountain Inn offers the ultimate alpine experience. The 213-room, three-diamond inn has both hotel rooms and condominium style units and is situated at the base of Mammoth Mountain Ski Area where the conference will occur.
Post Trip
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Copyright 2002, Outdoor Writers Association of California. All Rights Reserved
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