Chidago Canyon

Name: Chidago Canyon
WSA Complex: Volcanic Tablelands
Acreage: 20,246
Location: north of Bishop, west of Chalfont

Natural Values:

Gazing upon a landscape of pink, pimple-shaped mounds, elevated terraces, and steep slopes with jagged contours, it is fun to imagine what it was like thousands of years ago, when hot gases and debris from neighboring volcanic eruptions were deposited upon the land, forming the desert we see today. The Long Valley Caldera eruption 760,000 years ago deposited rhyolitic ash throughout the Tableland; this molten ash welded into pink and red rocks called Bishop Tuff.

In addition to its amazing geology, Chidago Canyon is also great habitat for raptors, including the majestic Golden Eagle. The vegetation of the area is primarily shadscale shrub, with plant species such as spiny hopsage, shadscale, ephedra, and indigo bush.

Cultural Values:

Rock art, or petroglyphs, from the Paiute Indians are found in multiple areas throughout Chidago Canyon. Gazing upon these drawings and contemplating their mysterious nature, one can come up with both simple and complex meanings behind these symbols.

Chidago Canyon was also used for seed collecting, seed processing, and hunting by the Paiutes. This area has religious significance to the Bishop Paiute tribe.