Posted by Lon Overacker on October 5, 2009 at 1:28 AM
While others are schleping around in the dark, setting their tents, sleeping on the frozen dirt, I'm cozy and warm at the Double Eagle Resort in June Lake, with wireless internet... so I thought I would post an update for those who couldn't make.
For those here and those who couldn't make it, you know that the passes closed today due to snow. It's been snowing off and on much of today, but it looks like it's all passed and looking towards clear days ahead.
Most everything north of Bishop is still mostly green. Interestingly, the word is that the color is much further along towards the southern end. JLL, Lee Vining Canyon, Lundy are all still quite green - maybe lime green and a few scattered patches of yellow. I'm sure this cold spell will kick-start things.
I won't go through the names and Paul should have a group photo to post when he gets home, but we had an excellent turn out at Silver Lake today, I think the count was at least 15.
It was great meeting everyone and I hope you all had and continue to have a productive autumn outing.
I'm sure you will hear a few stories as the days progress, but for now I'll just say it's GREAT to be here!
Thanks for the update Lon! I look forward to seeing some sweet pictures
Do you think next weekend is a good bet for 9k foot sheltered aspens near June lake? Given your description is sounds like that might even be early!
Posted by Mike Ryan on October 5, 2009 at 10:06 AM
Thanks for putting everything together Lon and others. It was great to meet a lot of you, talk a little shop, and see some amazing prints first hand. Looking forward to seeing everyone's images!
Posted by Inge Fernau on October 5, 2009 at 3:37 PM
As I am writing this 120 & 108 are still closed due to snow. It was too bad that I could not make it to the meet because of the snow. I will be back on the east side starting Wednesday 10/7 until Saturday 10/10. I will plan on taking Hwy 88 and the Monitor Pass, if 120 is still closed.
Capture the Scene of the Light
Inge Fernau
SF Bay Area, California
Unless you’re prepared to expect the unexpected, you’re likely to miss capturing nature’s finest moments (Galen Rowell)
Posted by Paul Duval on October 5, 2009 at 6:31 PM
Lon,
It was great to put faces to the names that post here on the forum, It was a bit of a drive from Aberdeen ( about 10 miles South of Big Pine) but since I got an early start I caught dawn in the Tungsten Hills with Mt. Tom and the Sierra wall North of Pine Creek Canyon, then breakfast at Denny's. The huge Granite face that you see from 395 climbing Sherwin grade, finally had some great low angle light and clouds so I pulled over and grabbed a couple of shots.. A spot I've always wanted to photograph but the conditions never seemed right. To kill some time I took a side trip up Mcgee creek. In a turnout the peaks guarding the trail head kept poking in and out of the snow dropping clouds nicely for another quick grab. I took a few more shots at the trail head parking lot by climbing the bare slope on the North. There were spots of snow in the brush. Climbing up past Cowley Lake the sky North seemed ominous, and I remembered the sign that flashed the news about Tioga and Sonora passes being closed and Chain requirements 48 miles North of that spot . It was around Crowley and I tried to figure out if that was past Mono lake. Just beyond the Mammoth turnoff it started snowing but it wasn't sticking to the road. I'm not the best "bad weather driver" but I pushed on hoping that conditions would improve. Lon you'll have to own up to how you and Preston arranged the break in the weather right at the June Lake loop south turnoff. I arrived early at the parking area . There was some neat snow covering the under brush and the smaller Aspens around the parking area. So I went and got the camera to see what I could get. Well going down the little path with the steps I was looking at the light playing in the trees and not the ground when I stepped down off a step and lost my balance. Thereby proving Newton's famous theory by crashing to earth on my left side, leaving a nice skid mark with my left elbow. Cursing my stupidity I mentally took inventory none of the pains incurred seemed serious and carrying on in a tradition I started in Yosemite when I tripped over a hummock in the meadow I took a picture from ground level, which also confirmed my tank of a D300 was undamaged as well. Then I raised my 300 pounds plus bulk off the ground and was glad there were no witnesses to my indignity, it's better to tell than show. Although the show of images later at the meet and greet was stunning to say the least. Still having a little time I backtracked on the other side of the road found a turnout and walked back to where some ferns that also color change and go dormant for the winter were covered with a light dusting of snow. When I returned to the Parking area the group had started arriving. Thank you again Lon and Preston for putting this together, and it was combined with 2 1/2 days of great photo ops.
Discussion
4 repliesFor those here and those who couldn't make it, you know that the passes closed today due to snow. It's been snowing off and on much of today, but it looks like it's all passed and looking towards clear days ahead.
Most everything north of Bishop is still mostly green. Interestingly, the word is that the color is much further along towards the southern end. JLL, Lee Vining Canyon, Lundy are all still quite green - maybe lime green and a few scattered patches of yellow. I'm sure this cold spell will kick-start things.
I won't go through the names and Paul should have a group photo to post when he gets home, but we had an excellent turn out at Silver Lake today, I think the count was at least 15.
It was great meeting everyone and I hope you all had and continue to have a productive autumn outing.
I'm sure you will hear a few stories as the days progress, but for now I'll just say it's GREAT to be here!
Lon
Do you think next weekend is a good bet for 9k foot sheltered aspens near June lake? Given your description is sounds like that might even be early!
Capture the Scene of the Light
Inge Fernau
SF Bay Area, California
Website – http://www.magicalglow.com
Facebook – Magical Glow Photography
Twitter - Inge Fernau
Blog - Journal of my travels for the perfect photo
Unless you’re prepared to expect the unexpected, you’re likely to miss capturing nature’s finest moments (Galen Rowell)
It was great to put faces to the names that post here on the forum, It was a bit of a drive from Aberdeen ( about 10 miles South of Big Pine) but since I got an early start I caught dawn in the Tungsten Hills with Mt. Tom and the Sierra wall North of Pine Creek Canyon, then breakfast at Denny's. The huge Granite face that you see from 395 climbing Sherwin grade, finally had some great low angle light and clouds so I pulled over and grabbed a couple of shots.. A spot I've always wanted to photograph but the conditions never seemed right. To kill some time I took a side trip up Mcgee creek. In a turnout the peaks guarding the trail head kept poking in and out of the snow dropping clouds nicely for another quick grab. I took a few more shots at the trail head parking lot by climbing the bare slope on the North. There were spots of snow in the brush. Climbing up past Cowley Lake the sky North seemed ominous, and I remembered the sign that flashed the news about Tioga and Sonora passes being closed and Chain requirements 48 miles North of that spot . It was around Crowley and I tried to figure out if that was past Mono lake. Just beyond the Mammoth turnoff it started snowing but it wasn't sticking to the road. I'm not the best "bad weather driver" but I pushed on hoping that conditions would improve. Lon you'll have to own up to how you and Preston arranged the break in the weather right at the June Lake loop south turnoff. I arrived early at the parking area . There was some neat snow covering the under brush and the smaller Aspens around the parking area. So I went and got the camera to see what I could get. Well going down the little path with the steps I was looking at the light playing in the trees and not the ground when I stepped down off a step and lost my balance. Thereby proving Newton's famous theory by crashing to earth on my left side, leaving a nice skid mark with my left elbow. Cursing my stupidity I mentally took inventory none of the pains incurred seemed serious and carrying on in a tradition I started in Yosemite when I tripped over a hummock in the meadow I took a picture from ground level, which also confirmed my tank of a D300 was undamaged as well. Then I raised my 300 pounds plus bulk off the ground and was glad there were no witnesses to my indignity, it's better to tell than show. Although the show of images later at the meet and greet was stunning to say the least. Still having a little time I backtracked on the other side of the road found a turnout and walked back to where some ferns that also color change and go dormant for the winter were covered with a light dusting of snow. When I returned to the Parking area the group had started arriving. Thank you again Lon and Preston for putting this together, and it was combined with 2 1/2 days of great photo ops.