Hi All! In answer to Reno's question: "Where's Preston?" I am here; safe and quite relaxed after 16 days of wandering the East Side.
Early on, I went to the Mono Lake/Lee Vining area. The color change was late this year, but the place is always wonderful, and Mono Lake is simply mystical. I met Jack Graham on the 4th. for a dinner and a shoot at Mono Lake. It was great to meet him!
On the 5th I headed down to Bishop Creek for the Fun Shop. Over the next few days I had the pleasure of the company of David Senesac, RW Hawkins, Paul Brietkruez, and Youssef. Youseff's shots from South Lake are wonderful, but give only a small sense of the bone-chilling cold that flowed down from the peaks and found its way into every chink in our clothing. I was really cold and boogied down off the hill to wait for RW and Youssef. I admire their tenacity.
Paul and I visited several locations along the S. Fork. One of our favorites is the flat about midway between 4-Jeffrey and S. Lake. The creek makes some twists and turns adjacent to a 'wall' of aspens. Most had lost their leaves, but the shapely trunks, delicate branches and the scattered granite blocks made for some nice compositions.
On Monday, the 8th., Youseff headed out. I stayed another night at 4-Jeffrey. I then took the night of the 9th. at the Trees motel on W. Line Street. It's a nice place, with reasonable rates. It felt great to actually warm up after some very cold days (and colder nights) up in the mountains.
My original plan was to head up to Rock Creek, but I changed my mind in the face of continued cold weather and a growing cloud deck. So, I wandered down to Big Pine Creek on the morning of the 10th. As it was, I had bare time to set up my tent before it started to rain and then snow. A cold wind slid down off the Palisades and drove me into my bag. After a time, it faired up a bit and I welcomed a few inches of snow.
I camped at a place called Upper Sage Flat. It is a couple of miles east of the old Glacier Lodge. After the first night, I was the only brave soul in the place (aside for the host) It felt very remote and was quite peaceful. Highly recommended. The creek is beautiful and the trees had wonderful color. Most are slide alder and cottonwood, but there are aspens higher up. I had planned to hike up to either Brainard Lake or Third Lake, but the snow put an end to that idea. So, I explored the canyon and the high desert at the base of the mountains.
On Friday the 14th. I headed south to Lone Pine. I pitched my camp in light rain at the Lone Pine CG between the Alabama Hills and the foot of the Sierra. Lone Pine Peak looms above, covered in fresh powder snow: Mount Whitney was in hiding under a low cloud deck. As they day wore on the clouds got very dark and thunder grumbled to the south. Not long after we (the other campers and I) got hammered by a pretty intense thunderstorm. Down-strikes were visibly hitting less than a quarter mile distant, and the air tingled with the smell of ozone! George Creek and the south face of Mount Williamson were getting clobbered! It was really quite awesome.
The next day the weather was still unsettled, but much improved. I spent the day wandering the desert and the Alabama Hills. A nice drive is to head out 'Movie Road' to Moffat Ranch Road. The road is good. There is some nice country out there and I didn't see another soul. Moffat Ranch road ties in with 395 a few miles north of Lone Pine.
Later in the day I was talking with a group of photographers from a college in San Diego. It came to light that two of their party had gone hiking, and no one knew where they were. Given the weather and the forecast, I was alarmed. So, I spoke with their leader and suggested that if the hikers were not accounted for by 3:00 PM, a search should be initiated. He agreed. I put together a kit and prepared to assist with the search, if needed. In the end, the pair showed up in the camp at about 2:00 PM, tired but otherwise OK. They had hiked the trail that leaves the campground toward Whitney Portal.
Having been on several searches and technical rescues, as well as being a long-time climber, I was amazed at that group's non-chalance. The story could have very easily had a less than optimal outcome.
The next day, and the following one saw fair weather, though it was windy. I visited the Alabama Hills, Whitney Portal and a few other choice spots. The cascade at Whitney Portal is wonderful. It is best to shoot it either very early, or late in the day, since the contrast can be extreme.
On Tuesday, the 17th I widdled homeward. Clouds were hanging on the mountains and became more congested as I went north. The wind was howling! Fortnately, Sonora Pass was open, saving me a long drive to Carson Pass. The temperature at noon at Sonora Pass was 28 degrees and snow flurries were eminent. So, I hopped on down the mountain and got home at 2:00 PM.
Going to East Side is, for me, like returning home. Even after over forty years of wandering around over there, the place never seems old or too familiar. I will be back.
I have sent off my first batch of 4x5's and medium format film. It should be back next week. I'll be posting some images for sure!
I hope all is well with everyone! Hopefully, a bunch of us can get together over there next year!
Excellent post and outline of your trip Preston. Youssef has posted a few real nice images from the area over the past few days and I suspect he has more to come. I hope others will join in soon with their stuff too. I have received mine back and I have just started my sorting, numbering, and storing process. Once I get all through this lengthy ordeal I will post a few shots too........
Really sounds like you had a great time. I wish I could have tagged along. Anyway it was a great trip and I enjoyed it immensely. I am planing a trip back to Bishop next July as I want to hike up to some of the upper elevation lakes. The E. Sierra is a such a magnificent place and its shear size really puts you into perspective, if that makes any sense.
Posted by Nelcha Cross on October 22, 2006 at 2:00 AM
Thanks Preston for sharing part of your journal.
It reminded me of the month I spent on the Eastern side in 2001 & 2002.
I had my trailer in the Lower Lee Vining Creek Campground
and we had a downpour so strong and strikes so close that there was a landslide
right behind us up the hill and Tioga was closed for the next 2 weeks.
Ah.....my nerves could have REALLY used this trip this year....
This is where I usually go to get my batteries recharged and they didn't get it.
I can't wait to vicariously pretend I did by seeing all of your images.
Hopefully next year I can get my ducks in a row and "f8 and be there "
Preston, I might drop you a line about 4x5 processing etc.....
I know you just got home, but some of us are thinking about going
to Yosemite for the Fall colors next weekend....
Anyone interested???
In gratitude,
Nelcha
Posted by Youssef Ismail on October 25, 2006 at 12:27 AM
"Having been on several searches and technical rescues, as well as being a long-time climber, I was amazed at that group's non-chalance. The story could have very easily had a less than optimal outcome."
Ignorance is bliss, isn't it? That's why they are the ones that usually need rescuing.
Glad you had a good trip! Wish I had made it to the east side this year for the autumn display...it just never happened.
BTW I was in Yosemite this weekend. Things are coming along. Good color can be found and I think it will improve over the week. I can't compare it too much, since I usually hit the valley around Veteran's Day. I haven't been this early in quite a while. I didn't get to spend too much time behind the camera, but snuck in a few sessions between my son and wife's naps.
Posted by David Senesac on October 29, 2006 at 1:48 PM
Thanks Preston for sharing your journalized trip report that I always enjoy reading from other photographers. 16 days is a long one and I hope your efforts getting some keepers worked out. You'll have to entertain us with some of those results.
And RW, my shots at that pond were rather nice but they are going to look much better next fall if I can manage a visit when the aspen have changed. ...David
Discussion
6 repliesHi All! In answer to Reno's question: "Where's Preston?" I am here; safe and quite relaxed after 16 days of wandering the East Side.
Early on, I went to the Mono Lake/Lee Vining area. The color change was late this year, but the place is always wonderful, and Mono Lake is simply mystical. I met Jack Graham on the 4th. for a dinner and a shoot at Mono Lake. It was great to meet him!
On the 5th I headed down to Bishop Creek for the Fun Shop. Over the next few days I had the pleasure of the company of David Senesac, RW Hawkins, Paul Brietkruez, and Youssef. Youseff's shots from South Lake are wonderful, but give only a small sense of the bone-chilling cold that flowed down from the peaks and found its way into every chink in our clothing. I was really cold and boogied down off the hill to wait for RW and Youssef. I admire their tenacity.
Paul and I visited several locations along the S. Fork. One of our favorites is the flat about midway between 4-Jeffrey and S. Lake. The creek makes some twists and turns adjacent to a 'wall' of aspens. Most had lost their leaves, but the shapely trunks, delicate branches and the scattered granite blocks made for some nice compositions.
On Monday, the 8th., Youseff headed out. I stayed another night at 4-Jeffrey. I then took the night of the 9th. at the Trees motel on W. Line Street. It's a nice place, with reasonable rates. It felt great to actually warm up after some very cold days (and colder nights) up in the mountains.
My original plan was to head up to Rock Creek, but I changed my mind in the face of continued cold weather and a growing cloud deck. So, I wandered down to Big Pine Creek on the morning of the 10th. As it was, I had bare time to set up my tent before it started to rain and then snow. A cold wind slid down off the Palisades and drove me into my bag. After a time, it faired up a bit and I welcomed a few inches of snow.
I camped at a place called Upper Sage Flat. It is a couple of miles east of the old Glacier Lodge. After the first night, I was the only brave soul in the place (aside for the host) It felt very remote and was quite peaceful. Highly recommended. The creek is beautiful and the trees had wonderful color. Most are slide alder and cottonwood, but there are aspens higher up. I had planned to hike up to either Brainard Lake or Third Lake, but the snow put an end to that idea. So, I explored the canyon and the high desert at the base of the mountains.
On Friday the 14th. I headed south to Lone Pine. I pitched my camp in light rain at the Lone Pine CG between the Alabama Hills and the foot of the Sierra. Lone Pine Peak looms above, covered in fresh powder snow: Mount Whitney was in hiding under a low cloud deck. As they day wore on the clouds got very dark and thunder grumbled to the south. Not long after we (the other campers and I) got hammered by a pretty intense thunderstorm. Down-strikes were visibly hitting less than a quarter mile distant, and the air tingled with the smell of ozone! George Creek and the south face of Mount Williamson were getting clobbered! It was really quite awesome.
The next day the weather was still unsettled, but much improved. I spent the day wandering the desert and the Alabama Hills. A nice drive is to head out 'Movie Road' to Moffat Ranch Road. The road is good. There is some nice country out there and I didn't see another soul. Moffat Ranch road ties in with 395 a few miles north of Lone Pine.
Later in the day I was talking with a group of photographers from a college in San Diego. It came to light that two of their party had gone hiking, and no one knew where they were. Given the weather and the forecast, I was alarmed. So, I spoke with their leader and suggested that if the hikers were not accounted for by 3:00 PM, a search should be initiated. He agreed. I put together a kit and prepared to assist with the search, if needed. In the end, the pair showed up in the camp at about 2:00 PM, tired but otherwise OK. They had hiked the trail that leaves the campground toward Whitney Portal.
Having been on several searches and technical rescues, as well as being a long-time climber, I was amazed at that group's non-chalance. The story could have very easily had a less than optimal outcome.
The next day, and the following one saw fair weather, though it was windy. I visited the Alabama Hills, Whitney Portal and a few other choice spots. The cascade at Whitney Portal is wonderful. It is best to shoot it either very early, or late in the day, since the contrast can be extreme.
On Tuesday, the 17th I widdled homeward. Clouds were hanging on the mountains and became more congested as I went north. The wind was howling! Fortnately, Sonora Pass was open, saving me a long drive to Carson Pass. The temperature at noon at Sonora Pass was 28 degrees and snow flurries were eminent. So, I hopped on down the mountain and got home at 2:00 PM.
Going to East Side is, for me, like returning home. Even after over forty years of wandering around over there, the place never seems old or too familiar. I will be back.
I have sent off my first batch of 4x5's and medium format film. It should be back next week. I'll be posting some images for sure!
I hope all is well with everyone! Hopefully, a bunch of us can get together over there next year!
Be well,
-PB
Really sounds like you had a great time. I wish I could have tagged along. Anyway it was a great trip and I enjoyed it immensely. I am planing a trip back to Bishop next July as I want to hike up to some of the upper elevation lakes. The E. Sierra is a such a magnificent place and its shear size really puts you into perspective, if that makes any sense.
It reminded me of the month I spent on the Eastern side in 2001 & 2002.
I had my trailer in the Lower Lee Vining Creek Campground
and we had a downpour so strong and strikes so close that there was a landslide
right behind us up the hill and Tioga was closed for the next 2 weeks.
Ah.....my nerves could have REALLY used this trip this year....
This is where I usually go to get my batteries recharged and they didn't get it.
I can't wait to vicariously pretend I did by seeing all of your images.
Hopefully next year I can get my ducks in a row and "f8 and be there "
Preston, I might drop you a line about 4x5 processing etc.....
I know you just got home, but some of us are thinking about going
to Yosemite for the Fall colors next weekend....
Anyone interested???
In gratitude,
Nelcha
My Pleasure!
Ignorance is bliss, isn't it? That's why they are the ones that usually need rescuing.
Glad you had a good trip! Wish I had made it to the east side this year for the autumn display...it just never happened.
BTW I was in Yosemite this weekend. Things are coming along. Good color can be found and I think it will improve over the week. I can't compare it too much, since I usually hit the valley around Veteran's Day. I haven't been this early in quite a while. I didn't get to spend too much time behind the camera, but snuck in a few sessions between my son and wife's naps.
And RW, my shots at that pond were rather nice but they are going to look much better next fall if I can manage a visit when the aspen have changed. ...David