June Lake, California
Encyclopedia
June Lake is a census-designated place
in Mono County
, California
. It is located against the southern rim of the Mono Basin
, 12.5 miles (20 km) south of Lee Vining
, at an elevation of 7654 feet (2333 m).
The majority of the developed community is spread narrowly along a five-mile stretch of California State Route 158
., which is also known as the June Lake Loop Road, or in the populated areas, Boulder Drive. The Mono County Community Development Department defines June Lake's planning area to encompass the entire June Lake Loop, including the section of U.S. Route 395
between the north and south junctions of the Loop Road.
The population was 629 at the 2010 census. In the Summer that can grow by 2500 visitors: fisherman, campers, tourists, backpackers and outdoors enthusiasts. The ZIP Code
is 93529.
, abutting the steep eastern escarpment of the Sierra Nevada. Rush Creek originates from an alpine watershed just north of the headwaters of the San Joaquin River
, and south of the Tuolumne River
, then flows northeast, becoming the major tributary to the great inland sea, Mono Lake
.
June Lake's looped valley, often described as a horseshoe-shaped canyon, was formed by glacial action. The Rush Creek glacier split in two when it encountered the resistant rock of what is now known as Reversed Peak. The main glacier flowed toward the north creating the Rush Creek Canyon. Another glacial branch turned south and east but its flow was impeded and eventually stopped as the granitic bedrock on this southern branch created an uphill path toward the volcanic area of the Mono Craters
. When the glacier receded it left behind terminal moraine material in the area now known as Oh! Ridge.
A basin which had been carved out just west of the ridge is filled with spring water, creating June Lake and nearby Gull Lake. The overflow from these spring-fed lakes flows back toward the mountain range and thus is named Reversed Creek. Reversed Creek reaches a confluence with Rush Creek and flows through Silver Lake and Grant Lake, completing the "loop" to the Mono Basin
.
One notable geologic feature is the perched boulder, a glacial erratic
next to the June Lake Fire Station. This boulder, a well-known landmark of the area, is 18 feet tall and weighs 150 tons. It was carried and deposited by glacial action to its present position.
June Lake contains several distinct community areas. The main Village is between the southwestern end of June Lake, with the smaller Gull Lake on the northwest. The Village is the commercial core, with a post office, community center, library, restaurants, lodging, stores and offices, as well as mixed residential use. The West Village/Rodeo Grounds area lies on the North and West sides of Gull Lake. These areas are sites of more recent development including a baseball field, condominiums, and some larger homes. Over ninety acres of vacant land in this area are currently involved in a specific plan process. June Mountain Ski Area
, adjacent to the Rodeo Grounds property, is owned and operated by Mammoth Mountain LLC
under a use permit from the Inyo National Forest
. Down canyon and closer to the dramatic eastern scarp of the Sierra Nevada are the Petersen, Williams, and Clark Tracts: then directly at the base of Carson Peak are the Dream Mountain and Silver Lake Meadow areas as well as the Rush Creek Power House. These "down canyon" areas are primarily single-familty residential although several commercial nodes exist containing retail, lodging, dining and other services. There are also several outlying inhabited areas which are under lease from the Forest Service
. These include the June Lake Junction
and Pine Cliff Resort to the northeast of June Lake; Silver Lake Resort; the Silver Lake Recreation Residence Tract; and the Grant Lake Campground and Marina. At the northern Junction of the Loop road
with U.S. Highway 395
is the Cain Ranch, on property owned by the City of Los Angeles
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP covers an area of 8.8 square miles (22.7 km²), 90.99% of it land, and 9.01% of it water.
. Although there was abundant mining activity in adjacent areas, the prospectors of the late 19th century found little of interest here. The area remained roadless, and was recognized only for its scenic and recreational value, including fishing. Then during the decline of the mining era, interest developed in the new technology of Hydroelectric Energy
.
By 1915 a roadway was constructed up Rush Creek to just past Silver Lake, and a rail tramway system was moved from a defunct mine at nearby Bodie
into the steep and rugged mountains above for the construction of two dams to provide Hydroelectric Power. The Rush Creek Hydroelectric Project was a significant step in the development of Hydroelectric Power in the State of California, and the Rush Creek Power House began producing electricity for distant cities in 1916.
The initial construction project continued through 1917, and during this time an employee named Roy Carson started the Loop's first private resort, known as Carson's Camp. The resort was a tent camp until 1920 when the first cabin was completed. A year later, after the completion of the first cabin another two cabins were erected in 1921. The new, larger cabin contained a dining room and a small area for a Post Office. This cabin is still in use as a store and restaurant for the historic Silver Lake Resort. Circa 1924 the U.S. Forest Service constructed another unpaved roadway from a point along U.S. Highway 395
to June Lake. Eventually Power Station employees and fishermen continued the road to connect with the road in the Silver Lake area. The road from the June Lake Junction
made June Lake automobile accessible and made development in that area possible. Housing tracts were formed in between June and Gull Lakes and also near Fern Creek and Silver Lake. Boulder Lodge, on the shore of June Lake, was the second resort to be built in the June Lake Loop. In 1927 the Ed J. Seymour Company announced the construction of June Lake Lodge, (now a timeshare hotel known as the Heidelberg Inn) on the hillside overlooking June and Gull Lakes. The Lodge was to be operated in conjunction with a fish hatchery and fox farm, and included fifty rooms, a restaurant and bar, and a large four-sided fireplace in the lobby. June Lake Lodge opened in May 1928, and the hatchery produced an average of 1,000,000 small fish every year, distributed to the surrounding area's lakes and creeks. The fox farm was located near what is now the Pine Cliff area. Other camps and lodges sprung up, including Gull Lake Lodge, Fern Creek Lodge, Camp Culver, and Cherokee Lodge. Due to a larger volume of travel on Highway 395 a land lease permit was issued to the Carrington family so that they could create a service station with a repair shop and lunch room at the June Lake Junction
. They called it "Crater Garage and Lunch Room". With the expansion of the community and its new permanent residents the necessity for a Post Office and school arose. The first United States Post Office in June Lake was established on October 1, 1927 and the first school in 1933. The school was run out of Fern Creek Lodge and the first teacher Mrs. Romana Power earned $1500.00 for a year.
During this period, automobile touring had become quite fashionable, and with the completion of the Tioga Pass
Road, June Lake became a popular destination and way point for those traveling between Yosemite
and Southern California. Notably, many Los Angeles area dignitaries and Hollywood celebrities made their way here. Film star Wallace Beery
built a cabin on a small island in Silver Lake. Beery was also an aviator and known to land his plane on the meadow area adjacent to the lake. Names such as Clark Gable
, Charlie Chaplin
, Betty Grable
, Sally Rand
and others graced the guest register at the June Lake Lodge. Subsequently, film director Frank Capra
and cartoonist Walter Lantz
also had cabins at Silver Lake, and their families continue to visit.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
since 1923 had been seeking to purchase water rights in the Mono Basin to increase the capabilities of their aqueduct system. and by 1935 the Mono Basin Project was underway. Water was captured from nearby Parker Creek, Walker Creek and Lee Vining Creek and diverted to Rush Creek at Grant Lake, where a large earthfill dam was constructed. An eleven-mile tunnel was dug under the Mono Craters to deliver this water to another new reservoir at Crowley Lake. This water project was approaching its completion by the time the Second World War began.
The Loop's population swelled appreciably during those years, as a temporary company-town settlement was developed at the East Portal of the tunnel, about two miles from Grant Lake. Most of the supervisors, private contractors, foremen, and City specialists for the aqueduct project found lodging in June Lake. Restaurants, bars and dance halls proliferated, along with some gambling activity and a bawdy house or two. Glen Colton's "Tiger" Bar was established in 1932 and still holds one of the State of California's two longest standing alcoholic beverage licenses.
By the summer of 1940 the June Lake Fire District in conjunction with the United States Forest Service
constructed the first municipal water system for the June Lake Village area. Inmate labor was utilized during this construction, and what was known as a "Spike Camp" was established to house those workers.
It was also during this time that the sport of skiing
was becoming popular in the United States, and by around 1937 there was an organized race called the "Silver Skis." Participants started near the Fish Hatchery, hiking to the top of 10,866 foot Carson Peak and skiing back down. By 1940, a group of local businessmen established the June Lake Winter Sports Association, building and operating a 2200 foot rope tow ski area with a vertical rise of 600 feet, including first aid, ski instruction and repair, light lunches, and entertainment.
The ski lift was powered by a small private hydroelectric plant on Fern Creek, as no commercial electricity was yet available. Another private generation facility was established at the Carson's Camp/Silver Lake Resort. The California Electric Power Company finally constructed local distribution lines and established power service to the Loop area in 1946. Prior to that time oil lanterns were used, and refrigeration was accomplished by sawing blocks of ice from the surface of June Lake during winter, storing them for future use in a large ice house located on shore next to the boat landings.
By the 1950s June Lake had two competing grocery markets: Louie's Market which had been in business for 20 years & was owned & operated by Louis & Pauline Prole and their daughters Louise & Jocelyn and the newer June Lake General Store owned by Al Metlaff. Louie's Market had a wide variety of services including a bakery, ice cream fountain, groceries, necessities, hardware, cold storage for local fisherman & hunters as well as a deli and meat counter. Louis was a trucker and brought in his own supplies to keep the cost down, he also knew produce and only the best would do for his customers and friends. During the long haul he'd often stop along 395 and deliver fresh produce to the locals, many of whom still remember him with a smile. There were also numerous other services including service stations; automotive repair and towing; sport and tackle shops; hardware and dry goods; even an arcade featuring pinball machines and the like. June Lake at the time was one of the more important commercial centers of the Eastern Sierra region. A new, larger school with a teacher's residence had been constructed near the Rodeo Grounds. In 1955, motel owner Edward Krause and associate Frank Roberts established one of the earliest Community Antenna Cable systems, making June Lake the only town in the area to offer television to its motel guests.
The ski area had been unable to survive during the WWII years, but in late 1958 the Forest Service
announced its intention to offer a permit for a new ski area at June Mountain
. W.C. "Bud" Hayward obtained the use permit and built a full-service ski area with a double chairlift and T-Bar, which opened in February 1961. During his tenure as owner of the ski resort until 1986, Hayward expanded the terrain and facilities including the addition of a rope tow, poma lift, and three additional double chairs.
The community of June Lake retained its commercial vitality through the 1970s, with the addition of a banking branch, hardware and paint store, welder, auto body repair, art and pottery galleries, and more. Since that time however, there has been a steady economic decline marked by the growth and boom of the nearby Town of Mammoth Lakes
, which drew most of the commercial activities away from its outlying communities.
was 71.6 people per square mile (27.7/km²). The racial makeup of June Lake was 534 (84.9%) White, 0 (0.0%) African American, 7 (1.1%) Native American, 2 (0.3%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 78 (12.4%) from other races
, and 8 (1.3%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 137 persons (21.8%).
The Census reported that 627 people (99.7% of the population) lived in households, 2 (0.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 290 households, out of which 57 (19.7%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 149 (51.4%) were opposite-sex married couples
living together, 8 (2.8%) had a female householder with no husband present, 7 (2.4%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 23 (7.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
, and 0 (0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 97 households (33.4%) were made up of individuals and 21 (7.2%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16. There were 164 families
(56.6% of all households); the average family size was 2.77.
The population was spread out with 116 people (18.4%) under the age of 18, 38 people (6.0%) aged 18 to 24, 180 people (28.6%) aged 25 to 44, 225 people (35.8%) aged 45 to 64, and 70 people (11.1%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.7 years. For every 100 females there were 119.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 120.2 males.
There were 820 housing units at an average density of 93.4 per square mile (36.1/km²), of which 157 (54.1%) were owner-occupied, and 133 (45.9%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 8.1%; the rental vacancy rate was 11.7%. 327 people (52.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 300 people (47.7%) lived in rental housing units.
The Mono County General Plan provides for an additional 3,970 dwelling units in June Lake.
at Oh! Ridge, June Lake, Gull Lake, Reversed Creek, and Silver Lake.
Groceries are available at the June Lake General Store, as well as the smaller Fern Creek Store, Silver Lake Resort, and at the June Lake Junction, which also has gasoline and diesel fuel. The town offers dining at the Sierra Inn, Carson Peak Inn, Tiger Bar and Café, Eagles Landing Restaurant, Silver Lake Café, Alpine Deli and Pizza, and Trout Town Joe. A number of galleries and gift locations feature local artists' works, including pottery and wood carvings. Access to the lakes for boat launching is provided at two marinas on June Lake, and one each on Gull Lake, Silver Lake, and Grant Lake. Sporting goods and winter ski rentals are provided at Ernie's Tackle Shop.
From December through April, the June Mountain Ski Area
is the center of activity for June Lake. In addition to its 500+ acres of rideable terrain for all abilities and types of skiers and snowboarders, the ski resort features breakfast and lunch in the Grand Chalet with a commanding view of the lakes below and the entire Mono Basin. There are also equipment rentals, a winter sports school, as well as sport shop which also features gifts and souvenirs.
Local jobs are generally service or retail related, although there are some contractors including builders, electricians and plumbers. Many residents commute to work in Lee Vining
, Mammoth Lakes
, or even further to Bridgeport
or Bishop
. Over fifty percent of all private residences in June Lake, however, are second homes. Most of these part-time occupants are here during summer months, leaving their June Lake homes dark for the winter. Historically, June Lake's summer residents have comprised a vital and active part of community life.
During winter, the majority of the workforce for the June Mountain Ski Resort
is housed at employee housing facilities in Mammoth
and provided with daily bus transportation by their employer
.
. Most of the hikes, including Fern Lake, Reversed Peak, and Agnew Lake are strenuous and vertical, with the exception of the Parker Lake Trail which is a 2 mile hike that only climbs 400 feet in elevation.
The Frontier Pack Train at Silver Lake offers equestrian day rides, as well as backcountry trips. Ample opportunities exist for mountaineering, climbing and bouldering activities, mountain or road bicycling, off-highway vehicle travel, photography, birdwatching, and more. In Autumn, an abundance of Aspen
groves change from green to gold and red hues as winter approaches. Winter brings snow and cold temperatures, but there are many sunny days during which skiing, snowboarding, ice climbing, ice skating, snowmobiling, sledding and snow play, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and winter mountaineering and touring may be enjoyed.
. The local June Lake Elementary School was abandoned and torn down in the 1970s, and school bus transportation is provided to Lee Vining
. Children attend Lee Vining Elementary School. High School students may attend Lee Vining High School, or alternatively, the Eastern Sierra Academy
, if they qualify. Some parents seek inter-district transfers to the Mammoth Unified School District
. June Lake has a public library.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
in Mono County
Mono County, California
Mono County is a county located in the east central portion of the U.S. state of California, to the east of the Sierra Nevada between Yosemite National Park and Nevada. As of the 2010 census, the population was 14,202, up from 12,853 at the 2000 census...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It is located against the southern rim of the Mono Basin
Mono Basin
The Mono Basin is an endorheic drainage basin located east of Yosemite National Park in California and Nevada. It is bordered to the west by the Sierra Nevada, to the east by the Cowtrack Mountains, to the north by the Bodie Hills, and to the south by the north ridge of the Long Valley...
, 12.5 miles (20 km) south of Lee Vining
Lee Vining, California
Lee Vining is a census-designated place in Mono County, California, United States. It is located south-southeast of Bridgeport, at an elevation of 6781 feet . Lee Vining is located on the southwest shore of Mono Lake. The population was 222 as of the 2010 census, down from 250 reported as of 2000...
, at an elevation of 7654 feet (2333 m).
The majority of the developed community is spread narrowly along a five-mile stretch of California State Route 158
California State Route 158
State Route 158 is a scenic state highway in the U.S. state of California in Mono County.-Route description:The route is a loop west off of U.S. Route 395 passing through the community of June Lake, following the watercourse of June Lake, Gull Lake, Reversed Creek, Silver Lake, Rush Creek and...
., which is also known as the June Lake Loop Road, or in the populated areas, Boulder Drive. The Mono County Community Development Department defines June Lake's planning area to encompass the entire June Lake Loop, including the section of U.S. Route 395
U.S. Route 395 in California
In the U.S. state of California, U.S. Route 395 is a route which traverses from Interstate 15 near the southern city limits of Hesperia, north to the Oregon state line in Modoc County near Goose Lake...
between the north and south junctions of the Loop Road.
The population was 629 at the 2010 census. In the Summer that can grow by 2500 visitors: fisherman, campers, tourists, backpackers and outdoors enthusiasts. The ZIP Code
ZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
is 93529.
Geology and Geography
The June Lake Loop is situated against the west rim of the Great Basin and Range ProvinceGreat Basin
The Great Basin is the largest area of contiguous endorheic watersheds in North America and is noted for its arid conditions and Basin and Range topography that varies from the North American low point at Badwater Basin to the highest point of the contiguous United States, less than away at the...
, abutting the steep eastern escarpment of the Sierra Nevada. Rush Creek originates from an alpine watershed just north of the headwaters of the San Joaquin River
San Joaquin River
The San Joaquin River is the largest river of Central California in the United States. At over long, the river starts in the high Sierra Nevada, and flows through a rich agricultural region known as the San Joaquin Valley before reaching Suisun Bay, San Francisco Bay, and the Pacific Ocean...
, and south of the Tuolumne River
Tuolumne River
The Tuolumne River is a California river that flows nearly from the central Sierra Nevada to the San Joaquin River in the Central Valley...
, then flows northeast, becoming the major tributary to the great inland sea, Mono Lake
Mono Lake
Mono Lake is a large, shallow saline lake in Mono County, California, formed at least 760,000 years ago as a terminal lake in a basin that has no outlet to the ocean...
.
June Lake's looped valley, often described as a horseshoe-shaped canyon, was formed by glacial action. The Rush Creek glacier split in two when it encountered the resistant rock of what is now known as Reversed Peak. The main glacier flowed toward the north creating the Rush Creek Canyon. Another glacial branch turned south and east but its flow was impeded and eventually stopped as the granitic bedrock on this southern branch created an uphill path toward the volcanic area of the Mono Craters
Mono-Inyo Craters
The Mono–Inyo Craters is a volcanic chain of craters, domes and lava flows in Eastern California that stretches from the northwest shore of Mono Lake to the south of Mammoth Mountain. The chain is located in Mono County in the U.S. state of California...
. When the glacier receded it left behind terminal moraine material in the area now known as Oh! Ridge.
Mono Basin
The Mono Basin is an endorheic drainage basin located east of Yosemite National Park in California and Nevada. It is bordered to the west by the Sierra Nevada, to the east by the Cowtrack Mountains, to the north by the Bodie Hills, and to the south by the north ridge of the Long Valley...
.
Glacial erratic
A glacial erratic is a piece of rock that differs from the size and type of rock native to the area in which it rests. "Erratics" take their name from the Latin word errare, and are carried by glacial ice, often over distances of hundreds of kilometres...
next to the June Lake Fire Station. This boulder, a well-known landmark of the area, is 18 feet tall and weighs 150 tons. It was carried and deposited by glacial action to its present position.
June Lake contains several distinct community areas. The main Village is between the southwestern end of June Lake, with the smaller Gull Lake on the northwest. The Village is the commercial core, with a post office, community center, library, restaurants, lodging, stores and offices, as well as mixed residential use. The West Village/Rodeo Grounds area lies on the North and West sides of Gull Lake. These areas are sites of more recent development including a baseball field, condominiums, and some larger homes. Over ninety acres of vacant land in this area are currently involved in a specific plan process. June Mountain Ski Area
June Mountain
June Mountain is a winter resort in northern California, located near June Lake, southeast of Yosemite National Park. June Mountain hosted the 2006 Ski Mountaineering Race Series and the ski and snowboard portions of the 2006 California Winter Games in March 2006.The ski resort is now owned by...
, adjacent to the Rodeo Grounds property, is owned and operated by Mammoth Mountain LLC
Mammoth Mountain Ski Area
Mammoth Mountain Ski Area is a large ski resort located in Eastern California, along the east side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the Inyo National Forest.- Description :...
under a use permit from the Inyo National Forest
Inyo National Forest
Inyo National Forest is a federally administered forest in the United States. The forest covers parts of the eastern Sierra Nevada of California, and the White Mountains of California and Nevada. It contains two wilderness areas: the John Muir Wilderness and the Ansel Adams Wilderness...
. Down canyon and closer to the dramatic eastern scarp of the Sierra Nevada are the Petersen, Williams, and Clark Tracts: then directly at the base of Carson Peak are the Dream Mountain and Silver Lake Meadow areas as well as the Rush Creek Power House. These "down canyon" areas are primarily single-familty residential although several commercial nodes exist containing retail, lodging, dining and other services. There are also several outlying inhabited areas which are under lease from the Forest Service
Inyo National Forest
Inyo National Forest is a federally administered forest in the United States. The forest covers parts of the eastern Sierra Nevada of California, and the White Mountains of California and Nevada. It contains two wilderness areas: the John Muir Wilderness and the Ansel Adams Wilderness...
. These include the June Lake Junction
June Lake Junction, California
June Lake Junction is a location within the community of June Lake in Mono County, California. It is located south-southeast of Lee Vining, at an elevation of 7710 feet . This small settlement consists primarily of a Gas Station and Store, located on a parcel of public land under lease from the...
and Pine Cliff Resort to the northeast of June Lake; Silver Lake Resort; the Silver Lake Recreation Residence Tract; and the Grant Lake Campground and Marina. At the northern Junction of the Loop road
California State Route 158
State Route 158 is a scenic state highway in the U.S. state of California in Mono County.-Route description:The route is a loop west off of U.S. Route 395 passing through the community of June Lake, following the watercourse of June Lake, Gull Lake, Reversed Creek, Silver Lake, Rush Creek and...
with U.S. Highway 395
U.S. Route 395 in California
In the U.S. state of California, U.S. Route 395 is a route which traverses from Interstate 15 near the southern city limits of Hesperia, north to the Oregon state line in Modoc County near Goose Lake...
is the Cain Ranch, on property owned by the City of Los Angeles
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is the largest municipal utility in the United States, serving over four million residents. It was founded in 1902 to supply water and electricity to residents and businesses in Los Angeles and surrounding communities...
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP covers an area of 8.8 square miles (22.7 km²), 90.99% of it land, and 9.01% of it water.
History
The June Lake Loop has been attracting people such as fishermen, hunters, and hikers since the 19th century. Its first inhabitants were the Paiute Indians of the Mono BasinMono tribe
The Mono are a Native American people who traditionally live in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Eastern Sierra , the Mono Basin, and adjacent areas of the Great Basin.-Culture and geography:...
. Although there was abundant mining activity in adjacent areas, the prospectors of the late 19th century found little of interest here. The area remained roadless, and was recognized only for its scenic and recreational value, including fishing. Then during the decline of the mining era, interest developed in the new technology of Hydroelectric Energy
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy...
.
Bodie, California
Bodie is a ghost town in the Bodie Hills east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Mono County, California, United States, about 75 miles southeast of Lake Tahoe. It is located east-southeast of Bridgeport, at an elevation of 8379 feet . As Bodie Historic District, the U.S. Department of the...
into the steep and rugged mountains above for the construction of two dams to provide Hydroelectric Power. The Rush Creek Hydroelectric Project was a significant step in the development of Hydroelectric Power in the State of California, and the Rush Creek Power House began producing electricity for distant cities in 1916.
June Lake Junction, California
June Lake Junction is a location within the community of June Lake in Mono County, California. It is located south-southeast of Lee Vining, at an elevation of 7710 feet . This small settlement consists primarily of a Gas Station and Store, located on a parcel of public land under lease from the...
to June Lake. Eventually Power Station employees and fishermen continued the road to connect with the road in the Silver Lake area. The road from the June Lake Junction
June Lake Junction, California
June Lake Junction is a location within the community of June Lake in Mono County, California. It is located south-southeast of Lee Vining, at an elevation of 7710 feet . This small settlement consists primarily of a Gas Station and Store, located on a parcel of public land under lease from the...
made June Lake automobile accessible and made development in that area possible. Housing tracts were formed in between June and Gull Lakes and also near Fern Creek and Silver Lake. Boulder Lodge, on the shore of June Lake, was the second resort to be built in the June Lake Loop. In 1927 the Ed J. Seymour Company announced the construction of June Lake Lodge, (now a timeshare hotel known as the Heidelberg Inn) on the hillside overlooking June and Gull Lakes. The Lodge was to be operated in conjunction with a fish hatchery and fox farm, and included fifty rooms, a restaurant and bar, and a large four-sided fireplace in the lobby. June Lake Lodge opened in May 1928, and the hatchery produced an average of 1,000,000 small fish every year, distributed to the surrounding area's lakes and creeks. The fox farm was located near what is now the Pine Cliff area. Other camps and lodges sprung up, including Gull Lake Lodge, Fern Creek Lodge, Camp Culver, and Cherokee Lodge. Due to a larger volume of travel on Highway 395 a land lease permit was issued to the Carrington family so that they could create a service station with a repair shop and lunch room at the June Lake Junction
June Lake Junction, California
June Lake Junction is a location within the community of June Lake in Mono County, California. It is located south-southeast of Lee Vining, at an elevation of 7710 feet . This small settlement consists primarily of a Gas Station and Store, located on a parcel of public land under lease from the...
. They called it "Crater Garage and Lunch Room". With the expansion of the community and its new permanent residents the necessity for a Post Office and school arose. The first United States Post Office in June Lake was established on October 1, 1927 and the first school in 1933. The school was run out of Fern Creek Lodge and the first teacher Mrs. Romana Power earned $1500.00 for a year.
During this period, automobile touring had become quite fashionable, and with the completion of the Tioga Pass
Tioga Pass
Tioga Pass is a mountain pass in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. State Route 120 runs through it, and serves as the eastern entry point for Yosemite National Park. It is the highest highway pass in California and in the Sierra Nevada. Mount Dana is to the east of the pass...
Road, June Lake became a popular destination and way point for those traveling between Yosemite
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is a United States National Park spanning eastern portions of Tuolumne, Mariposa and Madera counties in east central California, United States. The park covers an area of and reaches across the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain chain...
and Southern California. Notably, many Los Angeles area dignitaries and Hollywood celebrities made their way here. Film star Wallace Beery
Wallace Beery
Wallace Fitzgerald Beery was an American actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Bill in Min and Bill opposite Marie Dressler, as Long John Silver in Treasure Island, as Pancho Villa in Viva Villa!, and his titular role in The Champ, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor...
built a cabin on a small island in Silver Lake. Beery was also an aviator and known to land his plane on the meadow area adjacent to the lake. Names such as Clark Gable
Clark Gable
William Clark Gable , known as Clark Gable, was an American film actor most famous for his role as Rhett Butler in the 1939 Civil War epic film Gone with the Wind, in which he starred with Vivien Leigh...
, Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, film director and composer best known for his work during the silent film era. He became the most famous film star in the world before the end of World War I...
, Betty Grable
Betty Grable
Elizabeth Ruth "Betty" Grable was an American actress, dancer and singer.Her iconic bathing suit photo made her the number-one pin-up girl of the World War II era. It was later included in the LIFE magazine project "100 Photos that Changed the World"...
, Sally Rand
Sally Rand
Sally Rand was a burlesque dancer and actress, most noted for her ostrich feather fan dance and balloon bubble dance. She also performed under the name Billie Beck.-Early life and career:...
and others graced the guest register at the June Lake Lodge. Subsequently, film director Frank Capra
Frank Capra
Frank Russell Capra was a Sicilian-born American film director. He emigrated to the U.S. when he was six, and eventually became a creative force behind major award-winning films during the 1930s and 1940s...
and cartoonist Walter Lantz
Walter Lantz
Walter Benjamin Lantz was an American cartoonist, animator, film producer, and director, best known for founding Walter Lantz Productions and creating Woody Woodpecker.-Early years and start in animation:...
also had cabins at Silver Lake, and their families continue to visit.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is the largest municipal utility in the United States, serving over four million residents. It was founded in 1902 to supply water and electricity to residents and businesses in Los Angeles and surrounding communities...
since 1923 had been seeking to purchase water rights in the Mono Basin to increase the capabilities of their aqueduct system. and by 1935 the Mono Basin Project was underway. Water was captured from nearby Parker Creek, Walker Creek and Lee Vining Creek and diverted to Rush Creek at Grant Lake, where a large earthfill dam was constructed. An eleven-mile tunnel was dug under the Mono Craters to deliver this water to another new reservoir at Crowley Lake. This water project was approaching its completion by the time the Second World War began.
The Loop's population swelled appreciably during those years, as a temporary company-town settlement was developed at the East Portal of the tunnel, about two miles from Grant Lake. Most of the supervisors, private contractors, foremen, and City specialists for the aqueduct project found lodging in June Lake. Restaurants, bars and dance halls proliferated, along with some gambling activity and a bawdy house or two. Glen Colton's "Tiger" Bar was established in 1932 and still holds one of the State of California's two longest standing alcoholic beverage licenses.
By the summer of 1940 the June Lake Fire District in conjunction with the United States Forest Service
United States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
constructed the first municipal water system for the June Lake Village area. Inmate labor was utilized during this construction, and what was known as a "Spike Camp" was established to house those workers.
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
was becoming popular in the United States, and by around 1937 there was an organized race called the "Silver Skis." Participants started near the Fish Hatchery, hiking to the top of 10,866 foot Carson Peak and skiing back down. By 1940, a group of local businessmen established the June Lake Winter Sports Association, building and operating a 2200 foot rope tow ski area with a vertical rise of 600 feet, including first aid, ski instruction and repair, light lunches, and entertainment.
The ski lift was powered by a small private hydroelectric plant on Fern Creek, as no commercial electricity was yet available. Another private generation facility was established at the Carson's Camp/Silver Lake Resort. The California Electric Power Company finally constructed local distribution lines and established power service to the Loop area in 1946. Prior to that time oil lanterns were used, and refrigeration was accomplished by sawing blocks of ice from the surface of June Lake during winter, storing them for future use in a large ice house located on shore next to the boat landings.
By the 1950s June Lake had two competing grocery markets: Louie's Market which had been in business for 20 years & was owned & operated by Louis & Pauline Prole and their daughters Louise & Jocelyn and the newer June Lake General Store owned by Al Metlaff. Louie's Market had a wide variety of services including a bakery, ice cream fountain, groceries, necessities, hardware, cold storage for local fisherman & hunters as well as a deli and meat counter. Louis was a trucker and brought in his own supplies to keep the cost down, he also knew produce and only the best would do for his customers and friends. During the long haul he'd often stop along 395 and deliver fresh produce to the locals, many of whom still remember him with a smile. There were also numerous other services including service stations; automotive repair and towing; sport and tackle shops; hardware and dry goods; even an arcade featuring pinball machines and the like. June Lake at the time was one of the more important commercial centers of the Eastern Sierra region. A new, larger school with a teacher's residence had been constructed near the Rodeo Grounds. In 1955, motel owner Edward Krause and associate Frank Roberts established one of the earliest Community Antenna Cable systems, making June Lake the only town in the area to offer television to its motel guests.
The ski area had been unable to survive during the WWII years, but in late 1958 the Forest Service
United States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
announced its intention to offer a permit for a new ski area at June Mountain
June Mountain
June Mountain is a winter resort in northern California, located near June Lake, southeast of Yosemite National Park. June Mountain hosted the 2006 Ski Mountaineering Race Series and the ski and snowboard portions of the 2006 California Winter Games in March 2006.The ski resort is now owned by...
. W.C. "Bud" Hayward obtained the use permit and built a full-service ski area with a double chairlift and T-Bar, which opened in February 1961. During his tenure as owner of the ski resort until 1986, Hayward expanded the terrain and facilities including the addition of a rope tow, poma lift, and three additional double chairs.
The community of June Lake retained its commercial vitality through the 1970s, with the addition of a banking branch, hardware and paint store, welder, auto body repair, art and pottery galleries, and more. Since that time however, there has been a steady economic decline marked by the growth and boom of the nearby Town of Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth Lakes, California
-History:The European history of Mammoth Lakes started in 1877, when four prospectors staked a claim on Mineral Hill, south of the current town, along Old Mammoth Road. In 1878, the Mammoth Mining Company was organized to mine Mineral Hill, which caused a gold rush. By the end of 1878, 1500 people...
, which drew most of the commercial activities away from its outlying communities.
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that June Lake had a population of 629. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 71.6 people per square mile (27.7/km²). The racial makeup of June Lake was 534 (84.9%) White, 0 (0.0%) African American, 7 (1.1%) Native American, 2 (0.3%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 78 (12.4%) from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 8 (1.3%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 137 persons (21.8%).
The Census reported that 627 people (99.7% of the population) lived in households, 2 (0.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 290 households, out of which 57 (19.7%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 149 (51.4%) were opposite-sex married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8 (2.8%) had a female householder with no husband present, 7 (2.4%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 23 (7.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
POSSLQ
POSSLQ is an abbreviation for "Persons of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters," a term coined in the late 1970s by the United States Census Bureau as part of an effort to more accurately gauge the prevalence of cohabitation in American households....
, and 0 (0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 97 households (33.4%) were made up of individuals and 21 (7.2%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16. There were 164 families
Family (U.S. Census)
A family or family household is defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes as "a householder and one or more other people related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption. They do not include same-sex married couples even if the marriage was performed in a state...
(56.6% of all households); the average family size was 2.77.
The population was spread out with 116 people (18.4%) under the age of 18, 38 people (6.0%) aged 18 to 24, 180 people (28.6%) aged 25 to 44, 225 people (35.8%) aged 45 to 64, and 70 people (11.1%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.7 years. For every 100 females there were 119.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 120.2 males.
There were 820 housing units at an average density of 93.4 per square mile (36.1/km²), of which 157 (54.1%) were owner-occupied, and 133 (45.9%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 8.1%; the rental vacancy rate was 11.7%. 327 people (52.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 300 people (47.7%) lived in rental housing units.
2000
The 2000 United States Census reported the population of June Lake to be 613. For 2003, the California Department of Finance estimated the population to be 626. In 2000, 4% of the population was under 5 years old, 17% were from 5 to 17, 71% were from 18 to 64, and 8% were over 65. The median age was 41.4. Sixty-six percent of the households were owner occupied and 34% were rented. Only 615 of June Lake's 1,187 parcels have been developed. June Lake's population is highly seasonal: 223 households are full-time residences and 571 are part-time. Including seasonal visitors, June Lake may have a temporary population of 2,900.The Mono County General Plan provides for an additional 3,970 dwelling units in June Lake.
The Community
June Lake is known as a quaint resort community, with an authentic hometown atmosphere. The chief industry is tourism, with lodging and vacation rentals ranging from cottages and cabins to motels and full-service resorts. The newest addition to the town is the Double Eagle Resort and Spa. This property offers luxurious accommodations along with a pool, jacuzzi, fitness center, massage therapy, a restaurant and bar. Other places to stay include: Boulder Lodge, Gull Lake Lodge, The Haven, Four Seasons, Silver Lake Resort, Reverse Creek Lodge, Lake Front Cabins, June Lake Villager Inn, June Lake Pines Cottages, Whispering Pines, June Lake Motel, Heidelberg Inn, the Knoll Haus, Fern Creek Lodge, and Big Rock Resort. There are also Vacation Homes and Condominiums available for transient occupancy. During the fair weather months, the June Lake Loop offers RV camping at: Silver Lake Resort RV Park, Pine Cliff Resort, June Lake RV Park, Golden Pine RV Park, and Grant Lake Marina. There are also public Campgrounds on the lands of the Inyo National ForestInyo National Forest
Inyo National Forest is a federally administered forest in the United States. The forest covers parts of the eastern Sierra Nevada of California, and the White Mountains of California and Nevada. It contains two wilderness areas: the John Muir Wilderness and the Ansel Adams Wilderness...
at Oh! Ridge, June Lake, Gull Lake, Reversed Creek, and Silver Lake.
Groceries are available at the June Lake General Store, as well as the smaller Fern Creek Store, Silver Lake Resort, and at the June Lake Junction, which also has gasoline and diesel fuel. The town offers dining at the Sierra Inn, Carson Peak Inn, Tiger Bar and Café, Eagles Landing Restaurant, Silver Lake Café, Alpine Deli and Pizza, and Trout Town Joe. A number of galleries and gift locations feature local artists' works, including pottery and wood carvings. Access to the lakes for boat launching is provided at two marinas on June Lake, and one each on Gull Lake, Silver Lake, and Grant Lake. Sporting goods and winter ski rentals are provided at Ernie's Tackle Shop.
June Mountain
June Mountain is a winter resort in northern California, located near June Lake, southeast of Yosemite National Park. June Mountain hosted the 2006 Ski Mountaineering Race Series and the ski and snowboard portions of the 2006 California Winter Games in March 2006.The ski resort is now owned by...
is the center of activity for June Lake. In addition to its 500+ acres of rideable terrain for all abilities and types of skiers and snowboarders, the ski resort features breakfast and lunch in the Grand Chalet with a commanding view of the lakes below and the entire Mono Basin. There are also equipment rentals, a winter sports school, as well as sport shop which also features gifts and souvenirs.
Local jobs are generally service or retail related, although there are some contractors including builders, electricians and plumbers. Many residents commute to work in Lee Vining
Lee Vining, California
Lee Vining is a census-designated place in Mono County, California, United States. It is located south-southeast of Bridgeport, at an elevation of 6781 feet . Lee Vining is located on the southwest shore of Mono Lake. The population was 222 as of the 2010 census, down from 250 reported as of 2000...
, Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth Lakes, California
-History:The European history of Mammoth Lakes started in 1877, when four prospectors staked a claim on Mineral Hill, south of the current town, along Old Mammoth Road. In 1878, the Mammoth Mining Company was organized to mine Mineral Hill, which caused a gold rush. By the end of 1878, 1500 people...
, or even further to Bridgeport
Bridgeport, California
Bridgeport is a census-designated place that is the county seat of Mono County, California. It lies at an elevation of 6463 feet in the middle of the Bridgeport Valley. Bridgeport is located at the intersection of highways US 395 and State Route 182. The population was 575 at the 2010...
or Bishop
Bishop, California
Bishop is a city in Inyo County, California, United States. Though Bishop is the only city and the largest populated place in Inyo County, the county seat is Independence. Bishop is located near the northern end of the Owens Valley, at an elevation of 4147 feet . The population was 3,879 at the...
. Over fifty percent of all private residences in June Lake, however, are second homes. Most of these part-time occupants are here during summer months, leaving their June Lake homes dark for the winter. Historically, June Lake's summer residents have comprised a vital and active part of community life.
During winter, the majority of the workforce for the June Mountain Ski Resort
June Mountain
June Mountain is a winter resort in northern California, located near June Lake, southeast of Yosemite National Park. June Mountain hosted the 2006 Ski Mountaineering Race Series and the ski and snowboard portions of the 2006 California Winter Games in March 2006.The ski resort is now owned by...
is housed at employee housing facilities in Mammoth
Mammoth Lakes, California
-History:The European history of Mammoth Lakes started in 1877, when four prospectors staked a claim on Mineral Hill, south of the current town, along Old Mammoth Road. In 1878, the Mammoth Mining Company was organized to mine Mineral Hill, which caused a gold rush. By the end of 1878, 1500 people...
and provided with daily bus transportation by their employer
Mammoth Mountain Ski Area
Mammoth Mountain Ski Area is a large ski resort located in Eastern California, along the east side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the Inyo National Forest.- Description :...
.
Tourism/Activities
Because the community is built on hills and meadows in this subalpine valley surrounded by high mountain peaks, it has been dubbed the "Switzerland of California." The area is most famous for its trout fishing, which occurs in many modes: trolling or still fishing the lakes from a boat, float tubing, or shore fishing the many lakes and streams. Bait fishing is productive and popular, as are spin casting with lures and fly fishing. Rush Creek below the Grant Lake Dam is restricted to catch-and-release. The lakes are cool in temperature but swimming is possible in the midsummer months. There is a swimming beach on June Lake near the Oh! Ridge campground. Boat speeds are restricted on the smaller lakes but speedboats and personal watercraft are allowed on Grant Lake, making waterskiing and wakeboarding also possible. Hiking is a favorite pastime of the area: June Lake offers many trails that lead into the nearby back country of the Ansel Adams Wilderness AreaAnsel Adams Wilderness
The Ansel Adams Wilderness is a wilderness area in the Sierra Nevada of California, USA. The wilderness is part of the Sierra and Inyo National Forests. The wilderness spans...
. Most of the hikes, including Fern Lake, Reversed Peak, and Agnew Lake are strenuous and vertical, with the exception of the Parker Lake Trail which is a 2 mile hike that only climbs 400 feet in elevation.
Populus tremula
Populus tremula, commonly called aspen, common aspen, Eurasian aspen, European aspen, trembling poplar, or quaking aspen, is a species of poplar native to cool temperate regions of Europe and Asia, from the British Isles east to Kamchatka, north to inside the Arctic Circle in Scandinavia and...
groves change from green to gold and red hues as winter approaches. Winter brings snow and cold temperatures, but there are many sunny days during which skiing, snowboarding, ice climbing, ice skating, snowmobiling, sledding and snow play, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and winter mountaineering and touring may be enjoyed.
Education
June Lake is in the Eastern Sierra Unified School DistrictEastern Sierra Unified School District
The Eastern Sierra Unified School District is a public school district in Mono County, California. It oversees public education in the central and northern part of the county, including the communities of:*Benton*Bridgeport*Coleville*June Lake*Lee Vining...
. The local June Lake Elementary School was abandoned and torn down in the 1970s, and school bus transportation is provided to Lee Vining
Lee Vining, California
Lee Vining is a census-designated place in Mono County, California, United States. It is located south-southeast of Bridgeport, at an elevation of 6781 feet . Lee Vining is located on the southwest shore of Mono Lake. The population was 222 as of the 2010 census, down from 250 reported as of 2000...
. Children attend Lee Vining Elementary School. High School students may attend Lee Vining High School, or alternatively, the Eastern Sierra Academy
Eastern Sierra Academy
Eastern Sierra Academy is an extremely small , technology-based, college-preparatory public high school serving the town of Bridgeport, California, USA. In Newsweek magazine's Challenge index ranking of America's 27,000 public high schools, ESA was ranked 19th in the nation based upon its 2004...
, if they qualify. Some parents seek inter-district transfers to the Mammoth Unified School District
Mammoth Unified School District
The Mammoth Unified School District is a public school district in Mono County, California. It oversees public education in the southwestern part of the county, including the communities of:*Crowley Lake*Mammoth LakesThe district office is at Mammoth Lakes....
. June Lake has a public library.
Fire Protection District
June Lake is the seat of the June Lake Fire Protection District, which was established in 1939. The fire protection district covers an area of approximately 8.5 square miles (22 km²), including not only June Lake, but the nearby unincorporated areas of Pine Cliff, June Lake Junction, and the down canyon area of the June Lake Loop from the June Lake Village to Silver Lake. The District maintains two fire houses.Public Utility District
June Lake is also the seat of the June Lake Public Utility District, which was established in 1947. The June Lake Public Utility District provides water and sewer service to an area of 1720 acres (7 km²) within the June Lake Loop. The water supply is based on diversion rights, split between the Village and Down Canyon areas of June Lake, totalling approximately 1116000 gallons (4,224,519.8 l) per day. Distribution is effected by 47000 feet (14,325.6 m) of pipes.External links
- http://junelakeloop.com
- http://www.junelakeloop.org
- http://www.junemountain.com
- http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/sports/ocoutdoors/columns/article_1121549.php
- http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fishplant/fishplant_r6.html
- http://www.actc.org/stories/2005/junelake_jc.htm
- http://www.skiresort.de/usa/june.htm