What's up in June?

[onegoodturn]

Thanks for the bump and the links SL.

I saw the guys farming snow from all over town today so they could have enough for all the activities.

[Sierra Lady]

What a fun new event June's 1st annual (at least we're hoping it is) Winter Festival! Turns out an ex-coworker/friend of mine (Sandra of Green Fox Events) assisted the June Chamber in organizing the event and we saw her there and chatted a bit.

We drove up had lunch at The Tiger Bar. I ran into an ex-coworker and her family inside and she said they'd never eaten there before! Their kids participated in the Triple Threat Triathlon and said even though it was a bit unorganized the kids had fun and all walked off with goodie bags and medals. We walked off our lunch all around the village and saw all the snow sculptures and ate some of the free cookies and goodies that each business had available. We even walked all the way to the fire station and got a tour before they closed up (they had been giving fire engine rides to families from noon until 3:00). We then drove down canyon to see the Family Fun Zone in the JM parking lot, but it was late in the day and that activity was almost over, but we saw Sandra again and she said it had been a success. We drove further down canyon to view the last snow sculpture in front of the Fern Creek Lodge (a huge 20' tall Clamper!) then dropped our ballots off (voting for best sculpture) on the way out of town and were given a gorgeous free 2013 Mono Co. calendar! I bought a Winter Festival beanie that I'll wear proudly.

June Chamber, please hold this event again in future years even when June Mountain is open again and we'll be there!

(Photos to follow. I took many and it's taking a while to load tonight.)

[Sierra Lady]

^ Sheesh...3 hours later I finally was able to load, organize and caption all my Winter Festival photos.

Here are some teaser photos, but since I've got to go to sleep you'll have to peruse the rest in my PB Winter 12-13 album: http://s289.photobucket.com/albums/ll22 ... r%2012-13/

[SnowHeart]

Sierra Lady, What great pictures of the events yesterday in June Lake. I looked at the rest of them in your photo bucket album as well. I sure hope this becomes a yearly tradition!

[Sierra Lady]

Thanks SnowHeart! We hope it becomes a tradition, too.

[Sierra Lady]

This week's Mammoth Times:

First-ever June Lake Festival results

Event organizers of the June Lake Winter Festival and Triple Threat Winter Triathlon announced on the heels of a first run, that the family-oriented winter outdoor event would return next year.

The Sheet:

June Lake Winter Festival snow sculpture winner

Hey Lara, my pix from slightly different perspectives!






June Lake struggles despite new events, opportunities

Hey, I have this same pix, Alex!

[SlashTurn]

So yesterday I enjoyed a nice hike/skin up to the top of J7 for some nostalgic turns and hit some lines I haven't rode in a few years up on the mountain... One thing stood out the most from my experience was the massive increase in snags and tree die offs. Im sure this subject has been discussed before, and from memory I always noticed some groves of Ponderosas on rainbow ridge, but this seemed abundant to me compared to my last visit.

Is this the work of the infamous bark beetle? I know the Sierra is being affected but this seems to concentrated. I sure wish we could do something to prevent this natural phenomenon...

[onegoodturn]

Windy's blaming it on the aliens. But yeah in reality it's the bark beetles.

[Spirit Tree]

Was hoping for some goodness to come out of that real cold spell, but...Regarding Bark Beetles

Cold temperatures. - Winter temperatures below - 20°F (-27°C) and persisting for several days can cause heavy brood mortality in those portions of the tree above the snow-line. Effects are only temporary, however, and after a few generations, the population usually recovers.

[windyscotty]

"Is this the work of the infamous bark beetle?"

Yes it is, and it is also an effect of climate change. One thing affects the other.

That makes the fire danger worse in summer.

And it is all because those dang aliens and the Chinese are driving more cars.

I said long ago it was bs to keep you from going on the ski hill, and by God, it is! They can't fool a dude who knows their own rules. It's dangerous to have a guy like me out in the public. Somebody has to watch them, or they will catch you with your pants down.

[Washoe Zephyr]

SL-almost all the snow scupltures were gone when I was in town.....

but I got these:

[Washoe Zephyr]

Could the "Visitors" be the ones bringing the Bark Beetles?

[Sierra Lady]

Mammoth Times this week:

June Mountain hosts 300 search and rescue team members from across the state

Teams sought to renew their snow and ice rescue skills

[Sierra Lady]

Big event coming up this summer:

June Lake Tri gains national prominence

Last month, the June Lake Triathlon was listed number three on the roster of the top 22 triathlons in the nation in Triathlete Magazine.

Kudos to Alana!

[Sierra Lady]

From the M.L. Chamber of Commerce newsletter:

Oblivion, the movie
Starring: Tom Cruise & Morgan Freeman
Oblivion was partially filmed in June Lake last summer. It opens on April 19th in theatres nationwide. A special “Opening Night” screening of the movie will be held this Friday, April 19th at 6pm at Minaret Cinemas in Mammoth Lakes. For more information please check out our calendar.

Hopefully we can catch the movie next week when we return.