Fishing in Convict Lake, Eastern Sierras

Fishing in Convict Lake, Eastern Sierras 		Bare tree and fall colors, Eastern Sierras

Bare tree and fall colors, Eastern Sierras 		Fall colors in Convict Lake

Fall colors in Convict Lake
Fall colors in Convict Lake

Fall colors in Convict Lake 		Fall colors in Convict Lake

Fall colors in Convict Lake 		Owen

Owen's Valley and the Sierra Nevada
Fishing in Owen

Fishing in Owen's Valley 		Sierra Nevada, leeward side

Sierra Nevada, leeward side 		Cattle in Owen

Cattle in Owen's Valley
STOP and smell the roses

STOP and smell the roses 		Fall colors in the Sierra Nevada ranges

Fall colors in the Sierra Nevada ranges 		Fall colors in the Sierra Nevada ranges

Fall colors in the Sierra Nevada ranges
Fall colors in the Sierra Nevada ranges

Fall colors in the Sierra Nevada ranges 		Fall colors in the Sierra Nevada ranges (PS)

Fall colors in the Sierra Nevada ranges (PS) 		Loner

Loner
Mono Lake at dusk

Mono Lake at dusk 		Mono Lake at dusk

Mono Lake at dusk 		Dream Mountain Drive and waterfall

Dream Mountain Drive and waterfall
Fall colors along Silver Creek

Fall colors along Silver Creek 		Silver Lake

Silver Lake 		Fall colors in California

Fall colors in California
Waterfall along June Lake Loop

Waterfall along June Lake Loop 		Patterns

Patterns 		Rachna

Rachna
Shades

Shades 		Shades (PS)

Shades (PS) 		Bared against color

Bared against color
Moonrise (PS)

Moonrise (PS) 		Grant Lake and aspens

Grant Lake and aspens 		Sunset along CA-140

Sunset along CA-140
Last days of a giant

Last days of a giant


Mono Lake and the Eastern Sierras at sunset, California Eastern Sierras

The Sierra Nevada mountain range is the highest on the North American continent. As fascinating as the mountains are on the western side (Yosemite and Kings Canyon National Parks), the eastern slopes of the mountains are nothing short of breathtaking. And the road to soak in this beauty is Highway 395, which runs almost parallel to the Calfornia-Nevada border.


Owens River and the Eastern Sierras, California (selective desaturation) Shack in moonlight, near June Lake Loop, Eastern Sierras, California Snowmelt, Eastern Sierras, California

Eastern California has beauty hidden in every nook and corner. You could spend a month here and not be able to explore all the goodies. Attractions include the Ghost Town of Bodie, Mono Lake, Devils Postpile National Monument, Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, the thousands of lakes and rivers that criss-cross the barren landscape, and of course, Death Valley. And all along the ride across US 395, the towering, barren, snow-laden slopes of the Eastern Sierras.

Sunset, Sierra Nevada, California

Sunset, Sierra Nevada, California 		Sunset, Sierra Nevada, California

Sunset, Sierra Nevada, California 		Sunset, Sierra Nevada, California

Sunset, Sierra Nevada, California


Bristlecone pine, White Mountains and Eastern Sierras, California Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

Bristlecone pines in the White Mountains of Calfornia/Nevada are the oldest known living trees on earth - some of them being almost 5,000 years old. Over the centuries, the trees have been battered by the elements, and they become sculpted into astonishingly beautiful shapes and forms.

The forest can be reached from US 395 (on the eastern edge of California) by taking HW 168 from Big Pine. The forest is located at over 10,000 ft in elevation, reached via 23 miles of long and narrow, but breathtaking, asphalt pavement. All along the drive, as you climb from around 4000 ft (Big Pine) to the Schulman Grove at 10,000 ft, you get better views of the barren Eastern Sierras dropping sharply into Owens Valley. The drive is well worth the vistas themselves.

Bristlecone pine, White Mountains, California Bristlecone pine, White Mountains, California
Bristlecone pine, White Mountains, California Bristlecone pine, White Mountains, California

The first, easily accessible, grove that you hit is the Schulman Grove. There are two self-guided nature trails at Schulman Grove. Along the Discovery Walk, the first tree dated at over 4,000 years by Dr. Schulman, is Pine Alpha. The oldest living tree, including the 4,723 year-old Methuselah tree, grow along the Methuselah Trail. There is a visitor center, outdoor display case, picnic area, and toilets. Water is not available.

If you are short on time, I would suggest taking the Discovery Trail in the reverse order. You get to the gnarly wonders faster, and also get great views of the Sierras thrown in as a bonus. You can be done within 30 minutes depending upon how much time you take to stand and admire the views. The Patriarch Grove is another 13 miles farther up via a dirt road.



Cattle and Eastern Sierras, Onion Valley, California (desaturated) Minarets at sunset, Eastern Sierras, California Cattle and the Eastern Sierras, Onion Valley, California

An extremely beautiful time to visit the Eastern Sierras is mid-October, when fall colors hit you hard in the eyes in full fluorescent glory. The June Lake loop, Carson Pass, and the shores of the various lakes around Mammoth Lakes are bursting with yellow.

Fall colors and cattle, Donner Pass, US-395, California Fall colors near Grant Lake, June Lake Loop, California Fall colors near Grant Lake, June Lake Loop, California
Fall colors near Silver Lake, June Lake Loop, California Fall colors, June Lake Loop, California Fall colors, June Lake Loop, California

Mammoth Lakes is an extremely busy ski resort around 30 minutes from the eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park. The town is a good place to park yourself while exploring eastern California. Myriads of rivers, lakes and mountain ranges are within a 1 hour driving radius from Mammoth Lakes, and the town itself is very family-friendly.


Alpine lake, Eastern Sierras, California (desaturated) Shack, near June Lake Loop, Eastern Sierras, California (desaturated) Alpine lake, Eastern Sierras, California
Snowmelt and reflection, Eastern Sierras, California Boulders in snowmelt, Eastern Sierras, California