Big Pine, California
According to watchtutorials.org, Big Pine is a small town located in the Owens Valley of Inyo County, California. It is situated at the foot of the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains and is bordered by the White Mountains to the north and Bishop to the south. The town’s elevation is 3,937 feet above sea level and it covers an area of 4.3 square miles.
The climate in Big Pine is arid and semi-arid with mild winters and hot summers. The average annual temperature is 59 degrees Fahrenheit with temperatures often reaching into triple digits during summer months. Winters are relatively mild with temperatures ranging from 40-60 degrees Fahrenheit with occasional snowfall in higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada range.
The terrain around Big Pine consists mostly of desert shrublands and grasslands dotted with sagebrush, Joshua trees, and other low-lying vegetation. To the east lies a large alluvial fan composed of gravel deposits left behind by ancient rivers that once flowed through Owens Valley before their course changed due to tectonic activity millions of years ago.
The town itself sits at the base of several mountain ranges including White Mountain Peak (14,246 ft), Mount Tom (12,944 ft), Mount Crocker (11,780 ft), Telescope Peak (11,331 ft) and Mount Williamson (14,375 ft). These mountains offer spectacular views for hikers as well as providing habitat for a variety wildlife such as mule deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes, bobcats, golden eagles and more.
Big Pine also has several recreational activities available for visitors including camping, fishing at nearby lakes such as Lake Sabrina or Lake George as well as skiing or snowboarding at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area which is just 45 minutes away from Big Pine. Other attractions include visiting Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest or Death Valley National Park which are both located within a few hours drive from Big Pine.
Overall, Big Pine offers its visitors an opportunity to experience some stunning natural beauty while still having access to a wide range of recreational activities and attractions nearby making it an ideal destination for anyone looking to explore California’s Great Basin Desert region.
History of Big Pine, California
Big Pine, California is a small town located in the Owens Valley of Inyo County. It sits at the base of several mountain ranges and is surrounded by desert shrublands and grasslands. The town’s elevation is 3,937 feet above sea level and it covers an area of 4.3 square miles. Big Pine has a rich history dating back to the Paiute Indians who were the original inhabitants of the area.
The first European settlers arrived in Big Pine in 1864 when ranchers began to move into the area to take advantage of the natural resources available in Owens Valley. The settlement was initially called Salmon City due to its location near a salmon stream, but was later changed to Big Pine after nearby Big Pine Creek. During this time, ranching was a major industry with cattle being driven up from Los Angeles County for grazing on the open range lands surrounding Big Pine. Other industries such as logging and mining also thrived during this period with timber being cut from nearby pine forests and minerals such as gold and silver being mined from local mountainsides.
In 1911, Owens Valley was chosen as the site for an irrigation project which would bring water from Sierra Nevada mountain streams down into Los Angeles County via an aqueduct system. This project had devastating effects on Big Pine as it caused water levels throughout Owens Valley to drop drastically leading to widespread dust storms and agricultural losses for local ranchers. Over time, many ranchers were forced off their land due to lack of water leading to an overall decline in population for Big Pine during this period.
Despite these hardships, some residents stayed on and continued ranching while others turned their attention towards tourism as they began offering hunting trips, fishing charters, horseback rides and other outdoor activities for visitors coming into town from Los Angeles or other nearby cities. During World War II, military personnel stationed at nearby Camp Irwin also visited the town often contributing further to its economy through their spending at local businesses such as restaurants, bars and stores that catered specifically towards them.
Today, Big Pine remains a small rural community with a population of just over 1,500 people but it still offers visitors a unique experience where they can enjoy stunning views while also learning more about its fascinating history that dates back centuries before its settlement by Europeans in 1864.
Economy of Big Pine, California
According to ABLOGTOPHONE, Big Pine, California is a small rural community located in Owens Valley and has a population of just over 1,500 people. The settlement was initially called Salmon City due to its location near a salmon stream, but was later changed to Big Pine after nearby Big Pine Creek. Since its establishment in 1864, the economy of Big Pine has been shaped by the natural resources available in the area.
At first, ranching was a major industry with cattle being driven up from Los Angeles County for grazing on the open range lands surrounding Big Pine. Other industries such as logging and mining also thrived during this period with timber being cut from nearby pine forests and minerals such as gold and silver being mined from local mountainsides. In 1911, Owens Valley was chosen as the site for an irrigation project which had devastating effects on Big Pine as it caused water levels throughout Owens Valley to drop drastically leading to widespread dust storms and agricultural losses for local ranchers. Over time, many ranchers were forced off their land due to lack of water leading to an overall decline in population for Big Pine during this period.
Despite these hardships, some residents stayed on and continued ranching while others turned their attention towards tourism as they began offering hunting trips, fishing charters, horseback rides and other outdoor activities for visitors coming into town from Los Angeles or other nearby cities. During World War II, military personnel stationed at nearby Camp Irwin also visited the town often contributing further to its economy through their spending at local businesses such as restaurants, bars and stores that catered specifically towards them.
Today, Big Pine remains largely dependent on tourism as visitors flock to the area each year for its stunning views of Sierra Nevada mountain ranges and vast open landscapes that are perfect for camping or fishing trips. Popular attractions include exploring ancient Native American rock art sites or visiting one of the many museums that feature artifacts from early settlers who lived in Owens Valley over 100 years ago. Other popular activities include bird watching or taking part in one of the many guided tours offered by local outfitters which provide insight into both the history and ecology of this unique region.
Overall, Big Pine is a great place to visit if you’re looking for an authentic rural experience that offers stunning views combined with interesting historical insights into life before modern times. Despite its small size it offers plenty of opportunities to explore nature while also learning more about its fascinating past that dates back centuries before its settlement by Europeans in 1864.
Politics in Big Pine, California
Big Pine, California is a small rural community in the eastern part of Owens Valley. It has a population of approximately 1,500 people and is largely dependent on tourism for its economic growth. The town’s politics are heavily influenced by the local ranchers, who have been living in the area since before it was officially settled by Europeans in 1864.
The town is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors who are elected to staggered four year terms. The board is responsible for setting policies related to land use, taxation, public safety and other issues. They also oversee the budget and appoint members to important committees such as planning and zoning boards.
The current mayor of Big Pine is Bill Peterson, who was first elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2014. He is a lifelong resident of the town and has served on the Board of Supervisors since 1992. Mayor Peterson’s political platform focuses on maintaining fiscal responsibility while still providing necessary services to residents such as police protection, road maintenance and trash collection. He also supports increasing tourism to the area by promoting local attractions such as ancient Native American rock art sites or museums featuring artifacts from early settlers who lived in Owens Valley over 100 years ago.
The political climate in Big Pine tends to be conservative with most residents supporting small government initiatives such as limited taxes or regulations on businesses or property owners within the town limits. In recent years, there has been some debate over water rights due to Los Angeles’s aqueduct project which had devastating effects on Big Pine’s agricultural sector leading to widespread dust storms and agricultural losses for local ranchers. Despite this issue there remains strong support for protecting open spaces from development which allows visitors to enjoy stunning views of Sierra Nevada mountain ranges or take part in one of many guided tours offered by local outfitters that provide insight into both the history and ecology of this unique region.
Overall, Big Pine has a strong sense of community with its citizens having a deep connection with their environment that dates back centuries before its settlement by Europeans in 1864. Residents are committed to preserving their rural way of life while embracing change through tourism as visitors flock to experience its stunning views combined with interesting historical insights into life before modern times.
