dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Tentatively trying to put together a trip out of Vegas (in April or May), up through Death Valley and along the Eastern Sierras past Bishop and Mono Lake as far as Bodie Ghost Town. Lots of lakes to explore with the mountains for a backdrop. What I'm wondering is when does vegetation turns green and the snow no longer blocks access to the mountain lakes? We are not trying to go to Yosemite this trip...will save that for autumn in the future. And we already have a trip to the Oregon Coast at the end of summer, so the spring is the only option. Planning on only a week with no prolonged stays at any one location.

Those of you who live or travel to the area, is April or May a better choice? This will be a first time to the southern part of California for me so I sure could use some help...especially learning which routes are better than others.

Also, are there any natural or historic attractions you consider "do not miss" in addition to Mono Lake and Bodie?

As always, guidance from those in the know is much appreciated!!

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

May is your best bet, as there could be snow in April. The passes usually try to open by Memorial Day and usually do that. Hwy. 395 should not be any problem at all, it's a straight shot north and is the main road for both Mono Lake and Bodie. Mono Lake is only a few miles from Hwy. 395. The road to Bodie is long, "washboard", and dirt so be prepared for that. Check their web site to determine what might be open. Some might tell you the Alabama Hills outside of Lone Pine but I did not find anything too exciting there, except knowing that Ansel Adams shot images in that area. There is a bristlecone forest that is interesting but it is a long, long road (I think 25 miles to the first part of it) so be prepared for that, just north of Lone Pine. I enjoyed seeing the photographs of Galen Rowell in Bishop at the Mountain Light Art Gallery. I live just over the Sonora Pass in Sonora so try to get over to that area at least once or twice a year, it's good for fall color.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Fall is often the best time for so many of the places I want to visit. Based on what I found so far, I agree that the Alabama Hills doesn't look too photogenic except for some interesting rock arches. Would I be about right to think that Death Valley, Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, Mono Lakes, and Bodie would be the best places for photographing?

LarryFB Loc: Depends where our RV is parked

Having lived east of the Sierras for over 30 years, I do agree that Fall is one of the best times to visit. I really disagree with the opinion that the Alabama Hills don't offer much. Do some research on the Alabama Hills and all the old movies (B-Westerns) that were filmed there. Think Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Lone Ranger, and many others. In the 50s, there was a Lucile Ball movie ("The long, long Trailer), that was partially filmed just west of the Alabama Hills on the road going up to Whitney Portal!

The Alpen Glow (near sunset) is awesome.

Although Death Valley, Bishop, Mamouth Lakes, Mono Lake, and Bodie, do offer some great photographic opportunities, Lone Pine, Big Pine, also offer great opportunities as well.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

By all means May. It's still cold and the wind in the Owens Valley can be wicked, but skies are usually clear. The eastern Sierra/Owens Valley are the Mecca and Al Medina for Landscape photographers. One general hint: You can keep your speed at 73 mph on Hwy 395, but please, when the signs say 35 MPH zone ahead, SLOW DOWN.

Places to go that you cannot absolutely miss:

The road out of Death Valley to the Owens Valley is spectacular. When you descend into the Owens Valley, right where the turn off is to Lone Pine, stop and shoot the eastern shore of what used to be Owens Lake. The snow capped vistas of the Eastern Sierra fill the horizon from end to end.

Lone Pine: Spend the night at the Best Western or the Travel Lodge and plan a sunrise shoot in the Alabama Hills. Stop at the USDI visitor's center and get a map of the Alabama Hills Movie Road locations. You can also enquire about road conditions. It is entirely possible, depending on snowfall, that the road to Bodie is impassible. Visit the Mobius Arch, and shoot the sun as it hits Mt Whitney at dawn. The Alpen Glow is particularly beautiful. I could spend the rest of my photographic life in the Alabama Hills and not shoot all the possibilities. There's a great Movie Museum in Lone Pine.

East of Lone Pine is the Cerro Gordo mine site, a privately owned "Ghost Town" of incredible historical significance to the growth of Los Angeles.

Manzanar: 15 miles north of Lone Pine is the Manzanar National Monument, take time to drive the self guided tour around the site of the Japanese Internment Camp from WWII. Make sure you see the cemetery. You are a few miles from the location of Ansel Adam's Mt Wilkerson/Manzanar image.

East out of Big Pine is the road to the Brisclecone Pine forest. At 10,000 ft, the White Mountains offer amazing views of the Eastern Sierra and the Brisclecone Pines, some of the oldest living things on the planet, are, well, beautiful in a stark way.

Between Lone Pine and Bishop are numerous lakes in the Sierra foothills. Lake Sabrina, about 30 mile east of Bishop is just a beautiful alpine lake on the crest of the Sierras.

Mono Lake and the Tufa Mounds are spectacular, particularly at Sunrise. At 8500 ft, it's gonna be cold.

Just north of Mono Lake is Lee Vining, where the junction of Hwy 395 and the Tioga Pass Road to Yosemite is located. Tioga will probably be closed due to snow. In Lee Vining, eat at the Whoa Nelly Deli.

1 hour north of Mammoth is the road to Bodie. Ten miles of pavement, 3 miles of graded gravel. Check the road conditions; I've been there in May, and I've been snowed out in May.
North of Bodie is Bridgeport, a fishing town which will probably be shut down for the winter. If if isn't, stay at the Walker River Lodge, or drive 1 hr south to Mammoth.

I have been going to the Eastern Sierra since about 2000, any more questions, DM me. As you can tell, for me, it is a very exciting place for photography.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Thanks, Larry! I Googled "Images of Big Pine/Lone Pine" and can see that the terrain is quite beautiful. Water (lakes/waterfalls) is an element that I like to build my compositions around, so I am wondering what my access would be to the more picturesque lakes along the eastern slope in early May--are secondary roads usually still covered in snow?

As to Alabama Hills, depending on the time we have, I did see some rock arches that looked interesting to work with. My travel buddy and I have done a lot of the Southwest, San Juan Mountains, and Canadian Rockies, so layers of rocky peaks wouldn't be a main draw without some other features. Since we are limited to a week, I am thinking we need to pick a few key locations to focus on rather than doing our usual stopping all along the way. So glad you live in the area and know what's what. Being seniors, we need to be mindful of the access to lakes and the trails conditions. If you have a few special lakes to recommend, it would be much appreciated.

Also, does the vegetation at the main highway elevation green up by May? And are there any wildflower areas?

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

All the detailed suggestions, including what to expect in weather conditions, are really appreciated, Robert! Owens Valley, Cerro Gordo, and Manznar were not on my radar yet, so thanks for the heads-up. When you say Lake Sabrina is at the crest, does that mean it might still be snowed in? Mono Lake is the main attraction for me. I didn't realize it was at such high elevation. Well, it wouldn't be the first time we were cold--the temps in Teton/Yellowstone last fall were between 25-45 degrees for 12 days. Now the wind, that's another matter--I hate harsh winds! Sorry to hear that Bodie has questionable access. I think the trick for us will be balancing our travel dates between the heat of Death Valley and the cold of the Sierras. As you think of any other specific lakes that should have cleared access, please keep me posted. Thanks so much!

LarryFB Loc: Depends where our RV is parked

Owens Valley doesn't really get green. It is high desert and almost all the runoff from the Sierras goes into the Los Angeles Aquaduct. Yes, there will be some green but that's typically where the streams and creeks flow out of the Sierras. Owens Valley is not really the place for wild flowers and, if it were, May would probably be a month or two late.

The suggestions others have made are good. Manzanar is fascinating. Finding a map of the Alabama Hills showing the various movie locations is a great suggestion. The Alpen Glow is usually fantastic (the Sierras at Sunrise, the White Mountains at sunset).

Read up on the Owens Valley, take a drive out of Lone Pine to Whitney Portal, learn the history of Owens Lake. Big Pine, according to Yelp, has the best restuarant in California (Copper Top), I haven't eaten there but I've seen it, just be prepared to eat BBQ at a picnic table, under a tent.

Enjoy your trip, do your homework, and take your time.

mjmoore17 Loc: Philadelphia, PA area

Would recommend Convict Lake for easy access.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

I knew green wasn't a color associated with Death Valley, but I did wonder if there were areas around Big Pine, Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, Etc., that had deciduous plants. But you and Robert have really piqued my curiosity with all the new suggestions, especially Owens Valley. And the food and lodging tips are always welcome information!

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Thanks, mjmoore--Googled images of Convict Lake and will tag it for the Mammoth area.

mjmoore17 Loc: Philadelphia, PA area

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nhastings Loc: Telluride, CO

Absolutely May, no question about it. I lived in Mammoth for a while and April is still a very snowy month. However, with that said, so much depends on what happens each year, whether it is a BIG SNOW year (last year) or a mild year, (perhaps this year). The passes over the mountains from East to West generally do not open until Memorial Day. Always check with the California Department of Transportation.

LarryFB Loc: Depends where our RV is parked

Actually, in certain years, Death Valley can have wonderful wild flower displays. It all depends on the right amount of rain at the right time of year. The best wild flower displays in Death Valley occur when there has been nice soaking rains in the Fall (typically in October and November) followed by more rain in January or early February. Then and only then will Death Valley come alive with fantastic displays of wild flowers. The fantastic displays only occur about once a decade.

Most of the roads to the Lakes in the Eastern Sierra are paved, but not all.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Now that's a beautifully captured scene, mjmoore! Thanks for sharing.