destair Loc: East Tennessee

Heading to Eastern Sierras April 27-May 10. Flying to SF, driving to Tahoe then down to Bishop for 3 days and Lone Pine for 4 days. Anyone have any suggestions for any "out of the way special places" for landscape photography?
Any help at all on this itinerary would be appreciated.

LarryFB Loc: Depends where our RV is parked

I lived about 70 miles south of Lone Pine for about 30 years. There are so many things to see along US 395 seven days may be way too little time. But here are some suggestions.

You are heading for a beautiful and sometimes strange area. The are lots of photo ops on US395, many of them are right along site the highway, some will be a short drive off the highway. The highlites would include
Mono Lake, June Lake Loop, Mammoth, Bishop Creek, in Bishop be sure to stop at Shat's Bakery, Big Pine, Independence, Manzanar National Historic Site, Lone Pine, Whitney Portal, Alabama Hills. and many other places.

Depending on the weather (yes you will see snow), try going up to some of the lakes West of Lone Pine and Big Pine, Out of Big Pine you might be able to get up to the Bristlecone Pines but check the road conditions before trying this. There used to be a fascinating museum in Independence but now some of their artifacts have be placed on loan to the museum at Manzanar. Manzanar was one of the Japanese Relocation Camps during World War II. It is a fascinating place to visit. Personally I don't like what it used to be, but I'm glad it is being preserved (lest we forget our historical mistakes).

The Alabama Hills (west of Lone Pine) is a favorite Hollywood movie location. Lots of "B" Western were filmed there and well as some classic movies. There is a museum in Lone Pine which is supposed to cover the history of the movies filmed around Lone Pine.

A weird and fascinating place is Owens Lake. Thanks to Los Angeles Power and Water it is now a dry lake (reading about the Owens Vally water wars can also be fascinating). Owens Lake in the late 1800s, had sternwheeler steamers on it, for tourists, and to haul ore from the Gold Mines on one side (Oro Gordo) to the charcoal Kilns for processing.

There a free publication available a various visitor centers about US 395. It has lots of good information.

destair Loc: East Tennessee

Thank you so much. I was wondering about Bristlecone as I really want to visit there. Appreciate the info.

flyguy Loc: Las Cruces, New Mexico

There is so much to see along Highway-395 from Lake Tahoe to Lone Pine --- hopefully you are allowing some time for a leisurely
drive along the route and have some time for side trips along the way.

The mountain peaks along the Sierra Crest should have an abundant amount of snow on them at time and will afford you many great photo opportunities.

Often, at that time of year, we will get some relatively minor snow storms that will close some of the higher passes for a short time ( just a matter of of hours) and one can easily wait it out till they reopen.

One really fascinating place to visit and photograph, that wasn't mentioned above, is Bodie Ghost Town, which is a state park, and the road in from Highway-395 to it will more than likely be open at that time. The turn off is just before the Virginia Lake turn off as you're heading south.

Another place that is worth visiting is the Galen Rowell photo gallery in Bishop --- lots of great Yosemite and Eastern Sierra photos on display there. You won't be disappointed.

Hope you have a great trip!

destair Loc: East Tennessee

Thank you very much. I have Bodie on my list and hopefully I will get to spend some time there. I'm hoping someone knows of a spot on the Owens River where you can get an s-curve in the river with snow topped mountains in the background.

khmunger

From Mammoth, go out the Benton Road until You hit the Owens River. Go either up the River or Down and You will have as many S Curves as You can handle.

backroader Loc: Wherever we park our motorhome

Check out the Alabama Hills, Movie Flats area off the Whitney Portal road out of Lone Pine. Great old movie landscapes in this area. There is a guide you can get which details how to get to specific locations where different films were made, i.e., "Audie Murphy rode by this set of rocks in ........... Get a copy in Lone Pine or download it. Fun and great photography area. We dry camped up there in our motorhome one time out in a beautiful rocky area all by ourselves. No crowds, entrance fee or visitor center. Going back this year.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

LarryFB summed it up very well. The eastern slope of the Sierras is very photogenic and the mountain faces up to Mount Whitney are world class. The Bristlecone pine trees in the Whiter Mountains are worth a trip if the time permits.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Go into Mountain Light Gallery and look on the walls. If you see something you like, ask where it was taken. They might even have a photographers guidebook on the locations. There should still be wild flowers at that time, especially since it was a fairly wet year.
Though There is a slight possibility the pass to Yosemite will not be open yet because of the wetter year. It's usually opens around the 1st week in May! Good luck and enjoy yourself! ;-)
SS

destair Loc: East Tennessee

Thanks to all for the info. I now have a pretty good game plan. Looking forward to the trip.

LarryFB Loc: Depends where our RV is parked

You are absolutely right, I forgot to mention Bodie. Yes, there are other places I forgot to mention. I also misnaned the Bakery in Bishop, it is Schat's, which (at least used to) have two locations, one in the center of town, and the other on the North side. They are know for their Sheepherders Bread and, in my opinion, have the best Jaopenia-cheese Bread in the world. Just get there early, the smell of fresh bread in incredible!!

Also, I didn't mention Bridgeport, or some of the towns in Nevada, or the towns a few miles off of US395. Just be prepared to be overwhelmed by the beauty.

There is just so much to see between Reno and Lone Pine and so many photo ops, it is amazing.

By the way, I just found my latest copy of the free magazine I mentioned, it is called "Scenic 395 and beyond, the Official Guide CA 14, CA 58, CA 178." It's free and will give you a lot of information.

By the way, I think it was YELP that rated the best restaurant in California was in Big Pine. I've never been there but I have talked to several people who have. Apparently, it's actually a tent with tables outside and serves BBQ. I believe it's called The Copper Top. From what I've heard, it's very low key but is really great.

Enjoy your trip!!

Forrestloop Loc: Los Angeles

You may want to stop at Convict Lake, its only a few miles (2) off Hwy 395, its worth seeing. Trout Season opens up at the end of April, so the whole area along 395 gonna be swarming with trout fisherman. Maybe a little crowded? and a lot of traffic? Good Luck...

Forrestloop Loc: Los Angeles

You mean you are gonna be this close to Yosimite and don't go. If you never been there and don't go you will hate yourself.
Then again it may be closed. But you might wanna check it out.

LarryFB Loc: Depends where our RV is parked

To get from 395 to Yosemite, you have cross Tioga Pass. Tioga may not be cleared of snow until May.