Check out Drone Video and Photography Forum section of our forum.
Yosemite or Donner Lake Area
Jul 8, 2014 21:59:25 #
MarkintheHV wrote:
I think I am starting to lean towards heading to Tahoe. I think I can find most of what I want out there, and save Yosemite for a winter vacation
Logistically that may make a lot of sense. They are both exceptional areas with a lot of opportunity. Yosemite definitely takes more planning, and winter access can also be a challenge...
Good luck, whatever you choose...
Jul 8, 2014 23:36:24 #
I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for many years and I envy you having the chance to shoot some photo's in either place you mentioned.
Just a weekend? I would choose Donner Lake because of the time it would take to travel to Yosemite, the crowds this time of year, and maybe finding a place to sleep. But Yosemite would be my choice if you could pull it off.
Side note; I had relatives in the Donner Party. Obviously these relatives weren't dinner or I wouldn't be here to give my two cents on this subject.
Have fun and go get your next best shot, which ever place you choose.
Just a weekend? I would choose Donner Lake because of the time it would take to travel to Yosemite, the crowds this time of year, and maybe finding a place to sleep. But Yosemite would be my choice if you could pull it off.
Side note; I had relatives in the Donner Party. Obviously these relatives weren't dinner or I wouldn't be here to give my two cents on this subject.
Have fun and go get your next best shot, which ever place you choose.
Jul 8, 2014 23:37:59 #
I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for many years and I envy you having the chance to shoot some photo's in either place you mentioned.
Just a weekend? I would choose Donner Lake because of the time it would take to travel to Yosemite, the crowds this time of year, and maybe finding a place to sleep. But Yosemite would be my choice if you could pull it off.
Side note; I had relatives in the Donner Party. Obviously these relatives weren't dinner or I wouldn't be here to give my two cents on this subject.
Have fun and go get your next best shot, which ever place you choose.
Just a weekend? I would choose Donner Lake because of the time it would take to travel to Yosemite, the crowds this time of year, and maybe finding a place to sleep. But Yosemite would be my choice if you could pull it off.
Side note; I had relatives in the Donner Party. Obviously these relatives weren't dinner or I wouldn't be here to give my two cents on this subject.
Have fun and go get your next best shot, which ever place you choose.
Jul 9, 2014 01:18:10 #
MarkintheHV wrote:
I think I am starting to lean towards heading to Tahoe. I think I can find most of what I want out there, and save Yosemite for a winter vacation
By going through Truckee, you will be able to catch Donner and Tahoe in one side trip, in addition to a drive along the Truckee River, one of the most underrated scenic drives in California.
Jul 9, 2014 04:36:22 #
MarkintheHV wrote:
I think I am starting to lean towards heading to Tahoe. I think I can find most of what I want out there, and save Yosemite for a winter vacation
Mark, if I had never been to Yosemite, that is a top bucket list destination if your NOT a photographer. For a photographer, it shouldn't even be in a bucket, like marriage and a job!
Here's my recommendation. If you leave right after work on Friday, it's two hours to Merced, where there is lots of cheap lodging. Then before sunrise, head to the park. It's probably almost two hours to the valley floor. You can easily do all the valley highlights in 6 hours. Drive over Tioga to Lee Vinning and catch the sunset on Mono Lake then do some light painting.
The next morning before sunrise, go back and get the sunrise on mono and the tufas.
From there it's 2/12 hours to Lake Tahoe over Kingsberry and back in Sac by night fall.
Hey, it's a fast paced weekend.
But hey, you can live life slow, or you can live life fast!! :lol:
Whatever you do, have a great time in our great state!
SS
Jul 9, 2014 05:11:43 #
SharpShooter wrote:
Mark, if I had never been to Yosemite, that is a t... (show quote)
Mark, SS has laid out a good route, but there's one problem. I've never met anyone who, having seen both sides of Tahoe can make a decision as to which side was better; you'll want to go all the way around the lake. There are ways to almost completely circle the lake, but they take more time and more specific routes. One point, however, is that, if you end your tour of Tahoe and go north to I-80 at Truckee (as opposed to taking US-50 to Sacramento), you will, on your way from Truckee to Donner Summit, pass a viewing area which, on a clear day, should give you some great shots of Donner Lake. When you get to Sacramento, if you like trains, PM me and I'll arrange a personal tour of the California State Railroad Museum at no charge.
Jul 9, 2014 05:49:14 #
SharpShooter wrote:
Mark, if I had never been to Yosemite, that is a t... (show quote)
Thanks for the great advice. I am booking plane tickets today, and I might be able to catch an early flight from the east coast and be in Sacremento by lunch time! I will find out in a few hours :) I love the advice that you had Mogul have provided, thanks!
Mogul, I will let you know when I get my dates/plans firmed up. I do enjoy railroading.
Check out True Macro-Photography Forum section of our forum.
Jul 9, 2014 05:51:45 #
SharpShooter wrote:
Hey, it's a fast paced weekend.
But hey, you can live life slow, or you can live life fast!! :lol:
Whatever you do, have a great time in our great state!
SS
Hey, it's a fast paced weekend.
But hey, you can live life slow, or you can live life fast!! :lol:
Whatever you do, have a great time in our great state!
SS
I have always said, "Sleep is for dead people....when I die, I will get caught up on all the sleep I missed in this world."
Jul 9, 2014 07:56:16 #
St3v3M wrote:
Great links. Yosemite is 150 this year. I will be there this summer, but might find Donner too. Thanks David
Jul 9, 2014 08:10:27 #
I lived in Sacramento for 5 years in the mid 70's -- the trip I used to like was taking US 50 east out of Sacramento through Folsom and Placerville and up through the Eldorado Natl Forest thru all the little towns, it goes up to the south end of Tahoe and along the eastern side of the lake, also take SR 89 up the west-side for some incredible mountain/lake vistas, you can make your way to Donner Lake/Pass if you continue north on 89 from there you can catch I-80 and head back to Sacramento. I rented horses up there and went on an approx 2 hour trail ride up and around the west-side of Tahoe and that was incredible. You also can hit the gold rush country south west of the lake -- lots to see and do all over that area -- there are as many spectacular views around the Tahoe area as at Yosemite maybe not as well known but incredible just the same.
Jul 9, 2014 09:06:13 #
How much wildlife is out there? Should I bring my wildlife lens (Sigma 50-500 ugh,what a beast) or travel lean and fast without it?
Check out Commercial and Industrial Photography section of our forum.
Jul 9, 2014 09:19:22 #
Mark7829
Loc: Calfornia
rgrenaderphoto wrote:
Yosemite is a beautiful place, but it is a multiple hour drive from Sacramneto. You have to drive south to Fresno (2 hours), then up to the valley (2 hours).
Tahoe is also (2 hours) from Sacramneto. If you go to the Donner Museum, make sure you drive up to the roadbed of the old transcontinental railway, and see the Chinese Wall and the tunnel through the mountains.
Tahoe is also (2 hours) from Sacramneto. If you go to the Donner Museum, make sure you drive up to the roadbed of the old transcontinental railway, and see the Chinese Wall and the tunnel through the mountains.
No, you don't drive to Fresno from Sacto to get to Yosemite. There are shorter alternatives. He could do both. You can use the eastern access point to Yosemite from Tahoe and shoot at Toulumne Meadows without having to go into the valley.. Along the route there are many spectacular sights and views. Carson Pass is beautiful, many alpine lakes.
The valley is crowded. There are times to shoot and not. Best images are at sunset. Glacier Point/Half Dome, Tunnel View, Valley View, Bridal Vale Falls, Mirror late refection of Half Dome are all better at sunset. Published Photographer,Michael Frey has an iPhone app for shooting Yosemite including places to shoot, time of day and day of the year.
It is not only important to get there but to get there with the right light.
Jul 9, 2014 09:48:21 #
Jul 9, 2014 09:57:49 #
As Peterff said, and I concur, Yosemite is the way to go. But, get in early (before 0700) and out late. If possible, try to get a reservation in Mariposa. That wayou just a short drive into the park. Another option is staying in Fresno before and after. Finally, don't discount Tioga Pass. Have a great trip.
Jul 9, 2014 10:07:58 #
Yosemite will present the most photo opportunities without a doubt. However, it will also come with the most tourists. If you elect to go to Donner Lake, continue along I-80 toward Reno. There are a lot of scenic opportunities by the river including trains that meander through the mountains. You may also wish to consider the Pyramid Lake area north of Reno for Milky Way shots. There are a lot of NV state game lands between Reno and Pyramid lake that will allow for desert shots of Milky Way. My last piece of advice might be Lake Tahoe, it's prettier than Donner and also presents a lot of opportunities. I wish you the best of luck in your decision and safe travels!
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Check out Software and Computer Support for Photographers section of our forum.