Some weeks ago I suggested that you pick up the 2007 version of a publication called "Fishing The California Alps."

That free newspaper is produced by Paul and Gloria Washam of Family Enterprises of Woodfords, Calif.

It covers all kinds of fishing and recreational opportunities for a large geographic area, all the way from Inyo County on the south to the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the west to Plumas and Sierra Counties to the north and Mineral County in Nevada to the east, with all kinds of locations in between.

This week, I would like to suggest you pick up another 2007 publication. This one is "Adventures - The 2007 Recreation Guide."

It is produced by the United States Forest Service (USFS) and it is jammed-packed with all kinds of very useful and highly interesting information about the Bridgeport and Carson Ranger Districts of the Humboldt-Toyiabe National Forest of the USFS.

That 2007 recreation guide was produced by the staffs of the Bridgeport and Carson Ranger Districts, and was published by the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association and American Land and Leisure Incorporated, in partnership with the USFS. It is dedicated to the memory of Martha Miklaucic, the Executive Director of the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association who died in July 2006.

Here's some of its contents:

Carson City Temps and Precipitation

?ĮDid you know Carson City's average snowfall in January is 7.4 inches or that our average precipitation in July is only 0.28 of an inch? Yep!

That plus much, much more can be found on page No. 2.

Helpful Phone Numbers

Those numbers run, alphabetically, from the Alpine County Visitor Center in Markleeville, Calif. at (530) 694-2475 to the Yosemite National Park Campground Reservations at (800) 436-7275.

Kids' page

A fun-filled page, complete with a "water word search" puzzle, a bird bingo card, and an exercise that compares a person to a bird.

Area Services?Į?ĮAll kinds of phone numbers for this general area's motels, resorts, grocery stores, convenience stores, sporting goods, food locations, dump stations, gas diesel and propane locations, gift shops, boat rentals, horse packers, fishing guides and a number of chambers of commerce.

What to do

Various activities such as day trips, festivals, special events, fishing, hunting, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, horseback riding and rock climbing.

Caring for The Land

This page tells you about things such as the America the Beautiful Pass, Wildland Fire Use and the Rosaschi Ranch Restoration.

Camping Guide

A detailed listing of campgrounds in the Bridgeport and Carson Ranger Districts ranging from Trumbull Lake Campground (elevation 9,500') in the Virginia Lakes area near Bridgeport, all the way to the Mt. Rose Campground (elevation 8,900'), on S.R. 431 near the Mt. Rose Summit.

Bears

An entire special page devoted to Bears, Food and You.

For example, did you know that an average black bear weighs 250-350 pounds? Yep, you know it now!

Wilderness Guide

All kinds of useful and important information on the Carson-Iceberg, Mokelumne, Hoover and Mt. Rose Wilderness Area.s

Did you know that you need a Wildness Permit to camp overnight in a wilderness area? Yep!

And, did you know that permits are now required year round for overnight use? Yep!

And, did you know that from the Friday of Memorial Day to Sept. 30, each year, in the Kit Carson Pass Management Area, there is a quota on the number of overnight camping permits? Yep, it's true!

Day Hikes

A detailed listing of day hikes on Carson Ranger District Trails, featuring Thomas Creek, Whites Canyon, Mt. Rose, Tahoe Rim, Pacific Crest Trail and Ophir Creek.

Also, tips on the 10 essential things you need to have with you on a day hike, including a first aid kit and a fire starter.

Outdoor Safety

Tips on dealing with Hypothermia, lightning, ticks, dehydration, Giardiasis and mountain lions!

Finally

Copies of the 2007 USFS publication can be obtained at the USFS offices in Carson City and Bridgeport, the Alpine County Chamber of Commerce and the USFS Supervisor's office in Sparks.

Pick up a copy today!

And, when you visit any of the outdoor areas listed in that publication, when you leave, leave just your footprints. Nothing else!