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The quiet town of Independence offers some great wildlife,
trickling water, and a few quiet fishing ponds —
if you know where to look.
As the county seat of Inyo County, the historic courthouse
is a good place to start. Then head west on Market Street
(by the U.S. Post Office) and drive the 13 miles to
its end. You'll then find yourself on a road that switchbacks
up the mountains. By the time you hit 9,200 feet, the
minimal vegetation of the desert has transformed into
an alpine meadow. This is Onion Valley — an oasis
in the sky, where wildflowers burst into color during
the mountain spring (July & August) against shimmering
Aspen trees and pines.
There's a campground, some hiking trails and a pack
station. The Kearsage Pass Trail will take you to the
crest of the Sierra (5 miles) and the high backcountry.
Take a deep breath, look around, because nothing compares...
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