Posted by Jerry Gowins on February 12, 2007 at 12:30 AM
My wife and I want to make a trip to the Mono Lake/Bodie area this year. For those of you who've been there, what's the best time of year to go? Reasons?
Since you are planning to hit both places during a single trip, I would suggest either April or October. Personally, I like the fall. It is cooler, and the fall color in the canyons of the Sierra near Mono Lake is wonderful. April/May are nice, but flowers may be a hit/miss deal because this area is a high desert invironment.
Both places get mighty hot during the summer, and the light is very harsh unless there are summer storms in the area.
btw: The Yosemite High Country is short hop up Tioga Pass from Mono Lake.
-PB
Posted by Jack Graham on February 12, 2007 at 6:26 AM
Jerry,
Peeston is absolutely right about getting there in the the fall, but be prepared for it ti=o be crowded, especially in October. I do a workshop ever October over there ( usually the 1or 2nd weekend in October. The aspens are usually going by then and there's a lot to shoot other than Mono ( Many canyons, Bodie, White Mys and Alabama Hills if you want t go a bit South on US395).
The bottom line is any time at Mono is a great time!------ Right Preston????
As soon as we sell our house here in Ohio, we are moving to the Portland area. I'll look forward to meeting you.
Posted by John W. Wall on February 12, 2007 at 12:46 PM
Every season has its upside, though I still haven't been there in winter with snow on the ground, which I'd like to remedy. Fall is a good time for birds on the lake and stormy skies above it. In summer you get the gorgeous foxtail barley. I like to shoot a variety of stuff. If you check my page (http://www.jwallphoto.net/Safari/Mono/Home.htm) you can click on the properties of each pic to see when it was shot (e.g. 030088-xx.jpg is March 1988).
Posted by Guy Tal on February 12, 2007 at 12:47 PM
I agree with Preston as well. I will also add that Bodie gets extremely cold in the winter as well (and hard to access when the road is covered in snow). One winter trip there gave me a whole new appreciation of the hardship of pioneer life.
Generally Bodie is closed for sunrise and sunset shoots. Like many other things in California, you need to be part of some elite group and know the right people to get in. You may want to call the "Friends of Bodie" (I think that's what they call themselves) to see if they'll accommodate you.
Guy
Posted by Jack Graham on February 12, 2007 at 10:41 PM
Preston,
Peeston is a guy I know , who's a damm good photographer. You should meet him sometime---- Peeston shows up on emails I wrote at 5:26 AM!!
Best regards,
Jaaaaaak
Posted by Jack Graham on February 12, 2007 at 10:46 PM
We had snow in Bodie last October 8th ( I think) . Although not normal this early, I just adds to the unpredictability of the area.
JG
Posted by Jerry Gowins on February 12, 2007 at 11:24 PM
Thank you all for your replies! I think we'll pencil in the last few days of Sept/first few of October. My wife loves the ghost towns and I'm an absolute sucker for autumn aspens. Mono Lake will be the bonus!
Jack, let me be the first to welcome you to Orygun. We've got a few things to photograph here. I live 100+ miles south of Portland in Eugene. Perhaps we could get together for a shoot. Heck, anybody with the initials "J.G." can't be all that bad!
Discussion
8 repliesThanks!!
Jerry
Since you are planning to hit both places during a single trip, I would suggest either April or October. Personally, I like the fall. It is cooler, and the fall color in the canyons of the Sierra near Mono Lake is wonderful. April/May are nice, but flowers may be a hit/miss deal because this area is a high desert invironment.
Both places get mighty hot during the summer, and the light is very harsh unless there are summer storms in the area.
btw: The Yosemite High Country is short hop up Tioga Pass from Mono Lake.
-PB
Peeston is absolutely right about getting there in the the fall, but be prepared for it ti=o be crowded, especially in October. I do a workshop ever October over there ( usually the 1or 2nd weekend in October. The aspens are usually going by then and there's a lot to shoot other than Mono ( Many canyons, Bodie, White Mys and Alabama Hills if you want t go a bit South on US395).
The bottom line is any time at Mono is a great time!------ Right Preston????
As soon as we sell our house here in Ohio, we are moving to the Portland area. I'll look forward to meeting you.
JG
Who the heck is "Peeston"?
-PB
Generally Bodie is closed for sunrise and sunset shoots. Like many other things in California, you need to be part of some elite group and know the right people to get in. You may want to call the "Friends of Bodie" (I think that's what they call themselves) to see if they'll accommodate you.
Guy
Peeston is a guy I know , who's a damm good photographer. You should meet him sometime---- Peeston shows up on emails I wrote at 5:26 AM!!
Best regards,
Jaaaaaak
JG
Jack, let me be the first to welcome you to Orygun. We've got a few things to photograph here. I live 100+ miles south of Portland in Eugene. Perhaps we could get together for a shoot. Heck, anybody with the initials "J.G." can't be all that bad!
J.G.