Posted by Tony Siciliano on February 17, 2010 at 11:08 AM
I was in Death Valley about ten days ago or so and managed to find great unsettled weather with beautiful light and clouds. After that I went to pick my brother up and did the big tourist circle of Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon. The weather has been unremittingly sunny and uninteresting. I'm off now in search of storms, which looks like are coming to the Eastern Sierra. I've never shot the Alabama Hills. Any suggestsions for where to go (with directions)? Also, favorite shots in Owens Valley (views of river and Sierras), also with directions, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!
Posted by Mat Malone on February 17, 2010 at 12:32 PM
Tons of possibilities in the AH. I would just head to Mobius Arch and then wander around. Try looking at the routes section on SummitPost for directions and also Bob's Arches. I would definitely recommend scouting the day before so don't totally lost before dawn
Still haven't found the perfect river + Sierras shot. I'm going to try to head out there next week and have a few places I want to explore.
Oh and Google Earth is great tool for this. Most good locations have been tagged with photos.
You can obtain a map of the Alabama Hills area at the Interagency Visitor Center just south of Lone Pine, or in town at the chamber of commerce. It shows the main roads and some of the features. It is such a great place to explore, and scouting is always fun.
You can also explore the roads leading to Onion Valley (out of Independence) or Big Pine Creek (out of Big Pine). True, you can't get real high right now because of snow closures, but there are some very nice view points along either of these roads. The view of the North face of Mt. Williamson from the Onion Valley road is superb.
--P
Posted by Jay Knight on February 17, 2010 at 3:07 PM
Tony all great advice above here!!!
One of my favorite east side things to do is the petroglyphs north of Bishop. Well that and hot tubbing in the area sorry I can't disclose locations of the 007 spots but local guide books have a lot of info for different areas.
Here's a link that has some info on ah and the petroglyphs
Posted by Merle Cook on February 17, 2010 at 3:22 PM
Hey Tony, I'm a member of CSNP but lived and traveled in CA for over 54 years before moving to Missouri. One place I have never seen mentioned for Lone Pine is the train station. If you drive east just north of Lone Pine (I don't remember the name of the road - but I think it has something to do with Propane or gas or ?) you will drive past the old train station (it was painted yellow the last time I was there - 1997 - and go towards the Owens River. Once you get to the river turn around and look back west to the Sierras. The train station with the Sierras in the background makes a great wall hanger photo. Of course the morning light is best for this shot.
For what it's worth....
Posted by Jay Knight on February 17, 2010 at 7:12 PM
Merle are you talking about the Law's museum? If so it is in Bishop and ahs some cool photo ops too.
Posted by Rodney Ninow on February 17, 2010 at 7:14 PM
Generally speaking, the Sierra are best photographed at sunrise, this includes the Alabama Hills. I've gotten some pleasing sunset shots of the Owens River with the White Mountains in the background. The Sierra are usually pretty drab at sunset.
Posted by Mat Malone on February 18, 2010 at 12:27 AM
A related question while we're on the topic: what are the best sunset locations in the Eastern Sierra? The Bristlecone Pine groves are one, but I assume the road is closed for the winter. Anything else?
Posted by Paul Duval on February 18, 2010 at 8:45 AM
I am going to the E. Sierra this weekend and it's going to be stormy, yeah!
Tony,
Whitney Portal Road is your gateway to adventure. It will take you into the Alabama hills. Movie road turns off to the right, this will take you to the Mobius arch parking lot which is a good spot for sunrise with plenty of space to set up your tripod. From here all of the side roads lead to interesting places to shoot. Driving further down Whitney Portal road gives more intimate views of Mt. Whitney and Lone pine Peak. There's a place I call two humps for the hillocks of eroded granite boulders where you can turn off to the right on a dirt track passable for all cars, unless you drive a porsche or there's too much snow. That's another great dawn spot. Around Lone pine Creek Campground is good to. Posted image was taken from arch parking lot or immediate vicinity. Looking forward to seeing images from your trip you'll have a blast. Oh peak in image is Lone Pine, I believe Whitney was hiding at the time.
Paul
Matt,
The arch parking lot is a good sunset spot, and I usually don't disagree with many comments but I have seen some spectacular sunsets in the Owens Valley. Manzanar Cemetery is another good spot. Edison Power Line road in Bishop and old 395 north of Independence reached by turning west on Black Rock Springs road are good places as well.
Posted by Merle Cook on February 18, 2010 at 9:11 PM
Jay, There is an old train station just north of Lone Pine on a road near the propane company that goes to the Owens River. I think it is now a private residence, but still has the appearance of a train station. It is closer to the River than to 395. It is called Lone Pine Station.
Posted by Merle Cook on February 18, 2010 at 9:24 PM
OK I tried to attach this to my previous post - but it didn't work. This is a shot of Lone Pine Station. It isn't the best one because I shot it in '97 and can't find one with Mt Whitney in the background.
Discussion
10 repliesStill haven't found the perfect river + Sierras shot. I'm going to try to head out there next week and have a few places I want to explore.
Oh and Google Earth is great tool for this. Most good locations have been tagged with photos.
You can obtain a map of the Alabama Hills area at the Interagency Visitor Center just south of Lone Pine, or in town at the chamber of commerce. It shows the main roads and some of the features. It is such a great place to explore, and scouting is always fun.
You can also explore the roads leading to Onion Valley (out of Independence) or Big Pine Creek (out of Big Pine). True, you can't get real high right now because of snow closures, but there are some very nice view points along either of these roads. The view of the North face of Mt. Williamson from the Onion Valley road is superb.
--P
One of my favorite east side things to do is the petroglyphs north of Bishop. Well that and hot tubbing in the area sorry I can't disclose locations of the 007 spots but local guide books have a lot of info for different areas.
Here's a link that has some info on ah and the petroglyphs
http://www.eugenecarsey.com/petroglyphs/chidago.htm
For what it's worth....
Tony,
Whitney Portal Road is your gateway to adventure. It will take you into the Alabama hills. Movie road turns off to the right, this will take you to the Mobius arch parking lot which is a good spot for sunrise with plenty of space to set up your tripod. From here all of the side roads lead to interesting places to shoot. Driving further down Whitney Portal road gives more intimate views of Mt. Whitney and Lone pine Peak. There's a place I call two humps for the hillocks of eroded granite boulders where you can turn off to the right on a dirt track passable for all cars, unless you drive a porsche or there's too much snow. That's another great dawn spot. Around Lone pine Creek Campground is good to. Posted image was taken from arch parking lot or immediate vicinity. Looking forward to seeing images from your trip you'll have a blast. Oh peak in image is Lone Pine, I believe Whitney was hiding at the time.
Paul
Matt,
The arch parking lot is a good sunset spot, and I usually don't disagree with many comments but I have seen some spectacular sunsets in the Owens Valley. Manzanar Cemetery is another good spot. Edison Power Line road in Bishop and old 395 north of Independence reached by turning west on Black Rock Springs road are good places as well.