Posted by Jerry Gowins on February 12, 2007 at 9:10 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?
Thanks!!
Jerry
Posted by Lon Overacker on February 12, 2007 at 12:14 PM
Hi Jerry,
I saw your question in ESS, but thought I would answer here just for the heck of it.
My vote is also for October. Yes, it's crowded, but really only at Mono Lake for sunrise on the weekend. I've been there when there were 50 or more photogs. Otherwise, even at full peak color you can lose yourself in the many canyons off Highway 395 from Bridgeport to Bishop.
First, have to ask how long will your trip be? I'd recommend a minimum of 3 days in the area. If you're driving from OR, then make it 5, 2 days for driving.
Here are my reasonings for October:
1. most opportunities for diverse photography adding fall color
2. Tioga pass <should> still be open. It's rare, but sometimes closes temporarily or even permanently in early October - but rare.
3. Relating to #3, you have the chance of snow, which would add a nice touch to Bodie. I believe Bodie is close to 7,000ft in elevation (not sure).
4. Mono Lake in the summer tends to be windy (not all the time, just from my experience)
5. Sierra passes still closed in April, May and on the occasional tough year thru the summer.
But I don't think we'll see that this year. Very little snow.
6. The air is crisp and cool, frost in the mornings, great sunsets at night..
7. Did I mention fall color?
Regarding Bodie, you may want to research in to signing up for the photographer's workshop. By signing up for this, the group has special access to go in before the park opens and after it closes (for better morning and afternoon light.) It used to be at bodie.com, but I just checked and the website isn't showing anything.
As far as color goes, there are 2 main areas that folks usually base themselves. People from Southern CA mightly typically base themselves in Bishop, as it's closer to LA and explore the Bishop Creek area, South and North Lakes, Rock Creek a bit farther north.
The northern crowd including myself typically bases in June Lake or Lee Vining. Some recommended areas From north to south: Virginia Lakes, Green Lakes/Dunderberg roads, Lundy Canyon, Lee Vining creek and canyon, June Lake Loop (you could spend 3 days there), Convict Lake, McGee Creek, Mammoth scenic area (don't forget the hot springs) etc.
I guess it boils down to what type of photography you're looking for and like to do and again, how long you'll be staying.
Too bad we can't just do a swap. You can come to the Eastern Sierra and I get to go to the Oregon coast! :-)
Good luck with the planning.
Lon
Posted by Jerry Gowins on February 12, 2007 at 12:28 PM
Thank you , Lon!! You've given me way more than I expected.
Who runs the photographer's workshops in Bodie? Any idea of cost? I wasn't planning on taking a workshop, but didn't know there were actual admission hours. We are planning on 4 or 5 days in the area, all during the week.
Jack Graham runs a workshop in the Lee Vining/Bodie area in October.
I've met Jack and did some shooting with him at Mono last October just before his workshop. He's a great guy and knows his stuff.
You might want to check with him.
I will echo Lon's comments. His experiences parallel my own. I usually stay away from the June lake Loop because there is a lot of traffic (leaf peepers).
If one base camps in Lee Vining, it is possible to go down to Convict Lake, McGee Creek and Rock Creek in a long day.
Sunrise on Laurel Mountain at Convict Lake is wonderful.
Drive to the trail-head at McGee Creek and hike up the trail a ways. It's very nice!
Drive to Mosquito Flat trail head at Rock Creek. Hike up the trail into Little Lakes Valley. You'll be well rewared for your effort!
It's a wonderful area, and opportunities abound. You'll have a great time!
-PB
Posted by Lon Overacker on February 12, 2007 at 2:50 PM
Jerry,
Check the website I listed - it finally popped up for me. Although I've never attended, I believe the "workshop" is not really a workshop, but simply controlled access to the park
after hours. I think it's something like $50 or so, again, not a typical workshop per se. The actual park hours are something like 9-5, standard hours. Which of course when the most harsh light is. Having said that, there are plenty of photo ops at all times during the day so even if you're not there for sweet light, it's worth the trip.
Lon
Posted by Bill Taylor on February 18, 2007 at 4:56 PM
I like Early June and Late May because the grass (weeds) is green. The Friends of Bodie
http://www.friendsofbodie.org/ has a Photographers Day every 3rd Saturday of each month during the Summer/Fall , where they let you in from sunrise to sunset. Of course you don't have to stay all day. Do the morning and come back for the evening shoot. I did it a few years ago , it was $30 at that time. I don't see any mention of it on their website , but I just e-mailed them. I may do it again. It was fun , and sunrise/sunset is the best time to shoot Bodie. That weathered wood really glow in the evening/morning light..
Discussion
5 repliesThanks!!
Jerry
I saw your question in ESS, but thought I would answer here just for the heck of it.
My vote is also for October. Yes, it's crowded, but really only at Mono Lake for sunrise on the weekend. I've been there when there were 50 or more photogs. Otherwise, even at full peak color you can lose yourself in the many canyons off Highway 395 from Bridgeport to Bishop.
First, have to ask how long will your trip be? I'd recommend a minimum of 3 days in the area. If you're driving from OR, then make it 5, 2 days for driving.
Here are my reasonings for October:
1. most opportunities for diverse photography adding fall color
2. Tioga pass <should> still be open. It's rare, but sometimes closes temporarily or even permanently in early October - but rare.
3. Relating to #3, you have the chance of snow, which would add a nice touch to Bodie. I believe Bodie is close to 7,000ft in elevation (not sure).
4. Mono Lake in the summer tends to be windy (not all the time, just from my experience)
5. Sierra passes still closed in April, May and on the occasional tough year thru the summer.
But I don't think we'll see that this year. Very little snow.
6. The air is crisp and cool, frost in the mornings, great sunsets at night..
7. Did I mention fall color?
Regarding Bodie, you may want to research in to signing up for the photographer's workshop. By signing up for this, the group has special access to go in before the park opens and after it closes (for better morning and afternoon light.) It used to be at bodie.com, but I just checked and the website isn't showing anything.
As far as color goes, there are 2 main areas that folks usually base themselves. People from Southern CA mightly typically base themselves in Bishop, as it's closer to LA and explore the Bishop Creek area, South and North Lakes, Rock Creek a bit farther north.
The northern crowd including myself typically bases in June Lake or Lee Vining. Some recommended areas From north to south: Virginia Lakes, Green Lakes/Dunderberg roads, Lundy Canyon, Lee Vining creek and canyon, June Lake Loop (you could spend 3 days there), Convict Lake, McGee Creek, Mammoth scenic area (don't forget the hot springs) etc.
I guess it boils down to what type of photography you're looking for and like to do and again, how long you'll be staying.
Too bad we can't just do a swap. You can come to the Eastern Sierra and I get to go to the Oregon coast! :-)
Good luck with the planning.
Lon
Who runs the photographer's workshops in Bodie? Any idea of cost? I wasn't planning on taking a workshop, but didn't know there were actual admission hours. We are planning on 4 or 5 days in the area, all during the week.
Jerry
Jerry
Jack Graham runs a workshop in the Lee Vining/Bodie area in October.
I've met Jack and did some shooting with him at Mono last October just before his workshop. He's a great guy and knows his stuff.
You might want to check with him.
I will echo Lon's comments. His experiences parallel my own. I usually stay away from the June lake Loop because there is a lot of traffic (leaf peepers).
If one base camps in Lee Vining, it is possible to go down to Convict Lake, McGee Creek and Rock Creek in a long day.
Sunrise on Laurel Mountain at Convict Lake is wonderful.
Drive to the trail-head at McGee Creek and hike up the trail a ways. It's very nice!
Drive to Mosquito Flat trail head at Rock Creek. Hike up the trail into Little Lakes Valley. You'll be well rewared for your effort!
Image of McGee Creek .
Image from Little Lakes Valley
Image from Rock Creek
It's a wonderful area, and opportunities abound. You'll have a great time!
-PB
Check the website I listed - it finally popped up for me. Although I've never attended, I believe the "workshop" is not really a workshop, but simply controlled access to the park
after hours. I think it's something like $50 or so, again, not a typical workshop per se. The actual park hours are something like 9-5, standard hours. Which of course when the most harsh light is. Having said that, there are plenty of photo ops at all times during the day so even if you're not there for sweet light, it's worth the trip.
Lon
http://www.friendsofbodie.org/ has a Photographers Day every 3rd Saturday of each month during the Summer/Fall , where they let you in from sunrise to sunset. Of course you don't have to stay all day. Do the morning and come back for the evening shoot. I did it a few years ago , it was $30 at that time. I don't see any mention of it on their website , but I just e-mailed them. I may do it again. It was fun , and sunrise/sunset is the best time to shoot Bodie. That weathered wood really glow in the evening/morning light..