Lake Tahoe / Yosemite / Mammoth Lake

[suzyjazz]

I am traveling with my husband (work trip) in September and would like some advice on what to see. We are flying in to Reno and then driving up to Lake Tahoe, Yosemite and Mammoth Lakes. It's not a lot of time, so we'd like to make the most of it.

We will spend 2 nights in Stateline and 3 nights in Mammoth Lakes. Hotel is already set through his work.

I know it's not waterfall season and it will be a little early for fall color -- what *could* we see in mid September? We're not adventurists or super hikers, but we would like to go on mini-hikes to see something pretty. (Reminds me, I need to get some shoes with TREAD because my sneakers did not cut it on small hikes in Maui!) The only thing I know we want to see for sure is Devil's Postpile and Rainbow Falls near Mammoth Lakes. The Rainbow pics I've seen from June/July make me drool, but we won't get near that flow.

I haven't gotten the Michael Frye book "The Photographer's Guide to Yosemite" yet -- thought it might be overkill for this trip but then thought since time is short, that would make the book even more essential. I'm torn. Any other book that would help us that's cheaper? Frye's book is only available used (I check used bookstores and libraries already) and it's $50, presumably because supply is limited (out of print).

We just want to see pretty things. Some critters would be cool, too. I have so little experience seeing true wildlife that I'd be happy to see a deer and thrilled to bits to see a deer close enough for a decent shot with 200mm lens (unlikely I'm sure)!

[venchka]

You won't like this but.........

If it were my time and my money, I would drive directly from Reno to Yosemite. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.

400 Photographs by Ansel Adams. I guess close to 25% were taken in/around Yosemite.

Mono Lake.

YMMV.

[jeffkohn]

I'm surprised to hear that the Frye Book is out of print, it's a fabulous resource. I can loan you my copy if you promise to send it back when you're done.

We just spent a week in the Eastern Sierra last month, and I did a lot of research/planning before we left so I can definitely give you some specific recommendations. There are several short/easy hikes near Mammoth Lakes that will take you to some spectacular alpine scenery. I don't have time for a full write-up tonight, but I get back to you with some more detailed recommendations in the next day or so. PM me if you want to borrow the Frye book.

[venchka]

You can see deer all day from my deck. A mama and twins were in the backyard when I woke up this morning.

If you spend any non-gaming time in Reno check out the automobile museum.

Check with the state police for construction and/or fire delays. I heard there was some major construction delays around the CA-NV border.

[TXFZ1]

Just got back from Bishop, California and it's about an hour south of Mammoth. This small town has some great access to the Eastern Sierras, White Mtn (Bristlecone) and has Galen Rowell Gallery. Would be worthy of a day trip.

David

[venchka]

You don't need a book. Just do something like this. There won't be any snow. No worries.



Have a great trip.

[jeffkohn]

As promised here are some recommendations. You've already mentioned Devil's Postpile. We ended up not having time for that, but I wish we had as it's supposed to be realy neat. Be aware you have to take a shuttle bus, you can't drive your own car there. I think it's about $7 per person.

The first hike I'm going to recommend is actually a bit south of Mammoth Lakes, maybe halfway to Bishop; but it's still only about an hour's drive to the trailhead. It's the Little Lakes Valley trail, which starts from Mosquito Flat at the end of Rock Creek Road. If you want a taste of High Sierra alpine scenery without a long, strenuous hike, this is it. The first 2.5 miles of this trail (one-way) will take you along 5 beautiful alpine lakes situated under Mt Dade, Bear Creek Spire, and other scenic peaks. It's a very easy trail as far as Long Lake, with only about 300 ft elevation gain the whole way, on a well-maintained trail that's easy to follow. If you're feeling ambitious, the trail continues another 2 miles to Gem Lakes, but it gets a bit steeper. I'd get as early a start as you can for this one, as the light will be best in the morning. If you only do one hike during your whole trip, this should be it. Just keep in mind the trailhead starts at 10,200 feet elevation, so I would save this hike for towards the end of your trip after you've been in the Mammoth Lakes area a while and have had time to get used to the altitude.

Another short and easy hike right near Mammoth Lakes is the trail to Lake Barret and TJ Lake. It's less than a mile each way, with about a 300 ft elevation gain. The lakes are situated under the Mammoth Crest with nice views of Crystal Crag. Be sure to explore along the creek at the north end of TJ Lake. The trailhead is at Lake George, maybe a 10 minute drive from town. Another trail leaving from the same spot goes to Crystal Lake; this one's a little longer and steeper (about 2.5 miles round trip with a 700-800 ft elevation gain). It's a nice lake though, and the trail up has some nice views looking down on Lake George.

Mono Lake is worth a visit. If you just want to see it, you can go pretty much any time of day. If you want to get some decent pictures, you need to get there about 20-30 minutes before sunrise. Sunset can also be nice if you've got some really nice clouds, but this is primarily a sunrise location. Plan on about a 1-hr drive from Mammoth Lakes to the South Tufa area of Mono Lake (which is where all the interesting stuff for photographers is located).

If you've never been to Yosemite, you need to see the valley at least once. I think I like the high country more, though. I wouldn't worry too much about getting into the valley by sunrise, since it's probably about a 2hr drive from Mammoth Lakes and most of the valley is in shadow at first light anyway.

A good game plan would be to shoot sunrise at Mono Lake, then drive over Tioga Pass and down into the valley for the morning. Grab some lunch in the valley (The Awhanhee is pretty nice), maybe check out the Ansel Adams Gallery. Then drive back out of the valley and spend the afternoon/evening in the high country on the Tioga Pass road. If you have time you may also want to check out Glacier and Washburn points before heading out of the valley back out to Tioga Rd. There's lots to see along the Tioga road, with several vista points that don't require any hiking including Olmstead Point, Lembert Dome, Tuolomne Meadows, Dana Meadows, etc. Most of the stops on the Tioga Rd will have nice light in the afternoon/evening so I would plan on spending at least one or two sunsets up there.

Back closer to Mammoth Lakes. You should plan on checking out the Minaret Vista Point, best light is in the morning although with the right clouds you could have a nice sunset there as well. There's also a trail that leaves from there (San Joaquin Ridge) if you feel like doing a little more hiking.

For scenic drives the June Lake loop is nice, it's a semi-loop that interects 395 at two points north of Mammoth Lakes. It's also worth driving around the various lakes in the Mammoth Lakes Basin (Lake Mary, Lake George, Horshoe Lake, Twin Lakes).

There's lots more to see in the area, but I think this should give you more than enough to keep busy.

jeffkohn added 1 Minutes and 15 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by venchka

You don't need a book. Just do something like this. There won't be any snow. No worries.



Have a great trip.

Do you know how to get to that view? Ansel's "Monolith" has always been a favorite of mine, but I didn't think there was an actual trail to that vista.

[venchka]

Jeff,

read the wrtie up in Examples. His wife to be was with him. I don't think it involves climbing. scrambling maybe. The glass plate was partially burned in the darkroom fire. That's why the top is cropped like it is. I'll ask at the LFPF. Those guys will know. They have probably been there.

You'll need a good map. Maybe talk to a Ranger or some of the climbers. Or follow a line of photographers headed there.

He describes getting to the location in "Examples." It is, I believe, at a ledge called the "Diving Board."

[jeffkohn]

Some googling found this: http://yosemitenews.info/forum/read....58,859#msg-859

Sounds like a fairly strenuous hike on a difficult-to-follow trail, but no mountaineering or climbing skills required. If I make it back to Yosemite Valley I'll definitely have to give it a try.

(Sorry for getting your thread OT Suzy!).

[MikeyG1965]

What a timely post for me. I will be headed to Lake Tahoe for my brother's wedding in the last week in September. I will have a couple of days and plan on going down to Yosemite myself. I am excited about it.

[venchka]

Jeff & All,

More clues.

http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ng+board+keith

[suzyjazz]

Originally Posted by venchka

You can see deer all day from my deck. A mama and twins were in the backyard when I woke up this morning.

That is cool. :) Mono Lake sounds like a winner, too.

Originally Posted by venchka

If you spend any non-gaming time in Reno check out the automobile museum.

Heh, I think we were planning to ditch Reno as soon as we got in the rental car. ;)

Originally Posted by venchka

Check with the state police for construction and/or fire delays. I heard there was some major construction delays around the CA-NV border.

Thanks for the heads up!

Originally Posted by TXFZ1

Just got back from Bishop, California and it's about an hour south of Mammoth. This small town has some great access to the Eastern Sierras, White Mtn (Bristlecone) and has Galen Rowell Gallery. Would be worthy of a day trip.

Thanks David, I will look up Bishop. Hey, I'm borrowing some Galen Rowell filters from a friend (I promise I'm not usually such a mooch!)

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

As promised here are some recommendations....

Jeff, thank you for that wonderful write-up. I think I could call our trip a success if we got to see all this stuff and I take even one decent picture.

I'm glad if this thread is helpful for some others, too!

[gjramsey]

Are you looking at any hikes in the Tahoe basin?

We go to Tahoe at the end of August almost every year, and there are many hiking opportunities in the area. On the SW side of the lake is Emerald Bay and Fallen leaf lake, and there are many trails that lead into the Desolation Wilderness in that area. The hike down to Vikingsholm castle is nice also.

[sldi]

I have been up and down 395 between Reno and SoCal a few times this yr. I assume you are driving, so here a couple places to check out. Mono Lake is not too far south of the NV/CA border, it has the famous Tuffa formations that stick up out of the lake easily accessable by auto, I was even able to pull my tractor/ trailer over and shoot some while northbound lasat month. Brodie state park, its a deserted CA ghost town that looks like the people just up and walked away one day, nothing has been touched there for decades.

Reno itself can be beautiful, especially at dusk as the lights come on but there is still color in the sky. I just left Reno this morning and the Truckee river still has a good flow, east of Sparks there are some nice shots as it winds thru and under some old bridges.

Be aware that I-80 going over Donner Pass is under construction and traffic delays are often, especially east bound on Fri and west bound on Sunday

[venchka]

Bodie State Historical Park

That looks like my kind of place. After I got bored with the mountains.