Posted by Philip Schwarz on February 23, 2007 at 11:36 AM
I am planning a hiking / photography trip to southern California sometime in April and I’m looking for suggestions of good photography locations. I will be flying into Las Vegas. Currently on my list potential stops include Death Valley, Bodie, Mono Lake and Joshua Tree National Park. I don’t have any time limitations but will likely limit this trip to the general area noted above. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Early April would be the best time for visiting Death Valley since it will not yet be too hot there. From Death Valley head west over to Owens Valley. At lone Pine, you should visit the Alabama Hills and Whitney Portal. Going north, the area around Big Pine Creek (on the west, in the Sierra) and the bristlecone pine forest (on the east, in the White Mountains) are excellent.
Continuing northward, The Bishop Creek area has much to offer. Still further north, on the way to Mono Lake is Rock Creek canyon, McGee Creek, Convict Lake and Mammoth Lakes (Devil's Postpile is in this area).
In the Mono Lake area there is LeeVining Creek, the Tioga Pass road that leads to Yosemite, and a bit north from LeeVining is Lundy Canyon. From this area you go north to Bodie.
From Bodie, you can head north to Carson City and Lake Tahoe, cruise over into Nevada and then back south to Lost Wages.
The Tioga Pass road (CA Hwy 120) will likely still be closed due to snow, so you may not be able to get up very far. The same will likely be true for CA Hwy 108 that goes up to Sonora Pass. These roads typically do not open until around Memorial Day and sometimes later, depending on the amount of snow.
Given the above, there are still many and varied opportunities for exploration and photography. I know you'll have a great time!
-PB
Posted by Philip Schwarz on February 26, 2007 at 10:34 PM
Preston:
Thanks for the tips. This looks like it will make a great trip.
Discussion
3 repliesPhilip Schwarz
E2311 530th Ave
Menomonie, WI 54751
e-mail: schwarzp@uwstout.edu
web: http://www.photo.net/photos/philipschwarz
web: http://philipschwarz.zenfolio.com/
Early April would be the best time for visiting Death Valley since it will not yet be too hot there. From Death Valley head west over to Owens Valley. At lone Pine, you should visit the Alabama Hills and Whitney Portal. Going north, the area around Big Pine Creek (on the west, in the Sierra) and the bristlecone pine forest (on the east, in the White Mountains) are excellent.
Continuing northward, The Bishop Creek area has much to offer. Still further north, on the way to Mono Lake is Rock Creek canyon, McGee Creek, Convict Lake and Mammoth Lakes (Devil's Postpile is in this area).
In the Mono Lake area there is LeeVining Creek, the Tioga Pass road that leads to Yosemite, and a bit north from LeeVining is Lundy Canyon. From this area you go north to Bodie.
From Bodie, you can head north to Carson City and Lake Tahoe, cruise over into Nevada and then back south to Lost Wages.
The Tioga Pass road (CA Hwy 120) will likely still be closed due to snow, so you may not be able to get up very far. The same will likely be true for CA Hwy 108 that goes up to Sonora Pass. These roads typically do not open until around Memorial Day and sometimes later, depending on the amount of snow.
Given the above, there are still many and varied opportunities for exploration and photography. I know you'll have a great time!
-PB
Thanks for the tips. This looks like it will make a great trip.
Philip Schwarz
E2311 530th Ave
Menomonie, WI 54751
e-mail: schwarzp@uwstout.edu
web: http://www.photo.net/photos/philipschwarz
web: http://philipschwarz.zenfolio.com/
-PB