Aspendell, California

{{Short description|Unincorporated community in California, United States}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}

{{Infobox settlement

|name = Aspendell

|other_name =

|native_name =

|nickname =

|settlement_type = Unincorporated community

|image_skyline = Highway-168.jpg

|imagesize =

|image_caption = California State Highway 168, heading up Bishop Creek

|pushpin_map = California#USA

|pushpin_label_position = bottom

|pushpin_mapsize =

|pushpin_map_caption = Location in California

|pushpin_image = California Locator Map with US.PNG

|subdivision_type = Country

|subdivision_name = United States

|subdivision_type1 = State

|subdivision_name1 = California

|subdivision_type2 = County

|subdivision_name2 = Inyo County

|subdivision_type3 =

|subdivision_name3 =

|established_title =

|established_date =

|coordinates = {{coord|37|14|17|N|118|35|54|W|region:US-CA|display=inline,title}}

|elevation_footnotes =

|elevation_ft = 8409

|blank_name = GNIS feature ID

|blank_info = 1667268{{GNIS|1667268}}

|footnotes =

}}

Aspendell is an unincorporated community in Inyo County, California, United States located at 8,409 feet above sea level with a population of 70 people. The town was developed in 1961 by Gene Scherer.{{cite web|url=https://aspendell.org/info_files/aspendell_history.pdf|title=A Glimpse at Aspendell History|website=Aspendell.org|access-date=2024-11-27}}

Aspendell is located 17 miles from the town of Bishop, California, and is a popular tourist destination, known in the fall for its Aspen trees, the winter for Winter sports and in the summer for Hiking, Fishing, and Camping opportunities. Local destinations include Intake II, Lake Sabrina, North Lake, and multiple campgrounds. There is little to no cell phone reception, nor gas stations after leaving Bishop.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

The seasonal Cardinal Village Resort is the only store and hotel in the area, and was originally built as a part of a mining town after gold was discovered in Bishop Creek in 1885.{{cite web|url=https://www.cardinalvillageresort.com/ |title=Cardinal Village Resort|access-date=16 January 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://bishopvisitor.com/a-guide-to-cardinal-mine-in-bishop-creek-canyon/|title=A Guide to Cardinal Mine in Bishop Creek Canyon|first=Gigi|last=de Jong|work=Bishop Visitor Guide|access-date=16 January 2025}}

In the winter months, California State Route 168 is closed just south of Aspendell, preventing the ability to complete the remaining drive to Lake Sabrina and North Lake by vehicle.