Buttermilk Country & the Tungsten Hills
World-class bouldering, and a great place to walk, run, ride, drive, stargaze, bird watch, rock hound, and just get out and enjoy nature.
The Sierra Nevada rise dramatically and steeply on the eastern flanks with no real foothills to mark the ascension from the valley floor. Buttermilk Country and the Tungsten Hills appear to be foothills, but they are much older than the massive mountains nearby.
Covering almost 20 square miles, the area is a geological marvel. The rolling terrain is studded with colossal boulders known as glacial erratics. They’re not just any rocks; they’re giants, some towering over 40‑feet, plucked from the Sierra Nevada mountains four miles away and deposited here by ancient glaciers over 2.5 million years ago.
It’s incredibly beautiful with spectacular views, like nowhere else in the world. It's a wonderful area for hiking, trail-running, biking, and OHV driving. It's close to town, easily accessible, and yet it feels ‘way out there’.
Buttermilks
The Milks
Buttermilk Country is legendary. It has earned international acclaim as a world-class bouldering destination. It’s fondly called the “Buttermilks” or simply the “milks” by climbers who flock here from around the globe to test their skills on the seemingly endless array of “problems” – climbing routes that range from beginner-friendly scrambles to incredibly challenging feats of strength and technique. The sheer variety and quality of the rock make it a bouldering paradise.
Buttermilk Country & Tungsten Hills
Mountain Biking
Beyond climbing, the area offers a wealth of recreation. Miles of dirt tracks and single-track trails weave through the landscape, perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and trail running. Whether you’re seeking a leisurely stroll, a flowing trail run, or an adrenaline-pumping bike ride through the Buttermilks and adjacent Tungsten Hills, you’ll find it here.
Buttermilk Country & Tungsten Hills
Stargazing
The Eastern Sierra still has incredibly dark, clear skies. Buttermilk Country is a wonderful place for a few hours of night sky viewing. The mountain peaks tower above the desert floor and a canopy of bright stars sparkles in the night sky.
Spend a few late night hours along Buttermilk Rd. to see the Milky Way.
A summer night out here is a great place for a romantic date or a late-night picnic with kids under a canopy of sparkling stars.
Tungsten Hills
Tungsten Peak
The Tungsten Hills are named for the tungsten that was mined here until the late 1940s and are composed primarily of granite and quartz diorite. It’s a favorite place for rock hounding and crystals of red garnet can still be found here. The view from the peak is breathtaking with vistas in every direction. There is a summit register at the top. If you’re a peak bagger, you should add this to your list.
Tungsten Peak Hike
Run. Ride. Drive.
These hills are a historical treasure trove of old mines and geological features. The old miners’ roads are now wonderful multi‑use tracks and trails.
Be on the lookout here for hikers, bikers, trail-runners, off‑highway vehicles, and horseback riders.
Tungsten City Loop
Wildlife
It’s also home to numerous species of fauna and flora. You’re very likely to see mule deer, often in large herds, as they come down from the mountains to feed on the tender shoots of the bitterbrush and sagebrush. You’ll probably see jackrabbits, ravens, red tailed hawks and, if you’re lucky, a chukkar. Towards dusk you may hear or see the coyote.
There are mountain lion in these hills. Sightings of these big cats, which biologists call Puma concolor – literally ‘cat of one color’, are rare and no attack has ever been recorded in the region.
Getting to the heart of the Tungsten Hills
Visit Bishop
For more detailed information on where to go and what to do, stop in at the Bishop Information Center at 690 N. Main St. in Bishop. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff can help you plan your trip to get the best possible experience.
