Yosemite, Ancient Bristlecone

[Terry Hull]

Sorry yet another quick question for Calif LFers familiar with weather probabilities. I will arrive in Bridgeport where I will stay Oct 4,5,6 (Yosemite, Bodie) B4 spending the next two nights in Big Pine where I hope to spend time at Ancient Bristlecone. I see snow is being forecast for next week, hence I am wondering whether I should redo my agenda to spend more time further south with less chance of snow. Specifically, there are no heavy snowfalls forecast, and I know weather being weather.....but does bristlecone get weather similar to Yosemite in terms of road closures( I am not a backpacker)? I have visited from Bishop south B4 but never Yosemite, Bodie, Bristlecone, and unfortunately will be in the typical rental subcompact, not an industrial strength, snow defeating, all wheel drive vehicle. I know this is rather nebulous, but thought some local experience with some of this might be helpful.

Thank you.

[Preston]

Terry,

I am planning a trip to the East Side this coming week, as well, so I am keeping a close eye on the forecasts.

Here are links to NWS forecasts for next week that may help...

NWS-Sacramento (http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sto/)

Reno (http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/rev/)

Bridgeport, CA (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=38.26514122031375&lon=-119.22225952148437&site=rev&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text)

Sonora Pass (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=38.3277871096676&lon=-119.63716506958008&site=sto&smap=1&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text)

Tioga Pass (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.910346238558525&lon=-119.25813674926758&site=hnx&smap=1&marine=0&unit=0&lg=en)

Lee Vining (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.94988298364897&lon=-119.11376953125&site=rev&smap=1&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text)

One front is forecast to move in Sunday 10/2. Light snow expected at pass levels. There will be a brief lull Tuesday, 10/3. Weather that is likely to seriously impact travel over the Sierra will likely occur Wednesday, 10/5 and Thursday, 10/6. Given that snow is forcast for the Sierra, it would be likely that the White Mountains and the Bristlecone pine forest will be affected, as well. It looks like conditions will improve on Friday.

Given the expected snow levels and the intensity of these systems, it is possible that Sonora and Tioga Passes could close; especially on Wednesday. I think your best bet is to keep an eye on the forecasts, be sure you have chains for your car, and plan accordingly.

Good luck and be safe!

--P

[John Kasaian]

The weather in the Sierras is as unpredictable as a baby's bottom,
so always have a plan "B" ;)

Make sure your rental agency is aware you may be traveling on unpaved roads (I think Bodie road still had a stretch of dirt the last time I was there) and Bristlecone--some agency's won't allow that. Some other locations you might consider as alternatives are Mammoth, the June Lake Loop & Virginia Lakes on the eastern side and to the north there's Lake Tahoe (The casinos like to keep the roads open ;) ) with all kinds of opportunities to shoot the classic high granite (or snow)without backpacking.

[Drew Wiley]

Always carry winter clothing and a good sleeping bag with you, along with ample food and water in the car, just in case you get stuck somewhere. The road between
Sherman Grove and the more photogenic Patriarch Grove of bristlecones is unpaved
and at high altitude. But because the White Mtns are in the rainshadow of the Sierras, snowfalls tend to be much lighter. If you dayhike any significant distance from the car, always wear decent boots suitable for snow, and have a daypack with
a sweater and parka. The weather can turn bad very very fast, even on what seems
like a perfect day at first. There are also numerous side canyon into the Sierra off Hwy which are paved to the trailhead. Some fall color will have begun at the higher
altitudes already. There will be plenty to see and shoot, in other words, lots of options to visit. Trying to get thru Yos clear into the Bristlecones is a pretty rushed
schedule for just a few days.

[Bill Burk]

Terry Hull,

Maybe you could catch up with the tail end of this get-together...

Terry Hull,

Were you aware of this get-together - seems to be same time


In the spirit of continuing the workshops/Get togethers ...October 1 (Sat) through October 5 (Wednesday) ...

[Eric Woodbury]

Anything can happen, but this storm, if it happens, will be the first of the season and typically not powerful or long lasting. Always carry supplies as mentioned above. You might get some unusual conditions that make for beautiful photography.

Here is the weather website. You can move the little red square around either with the mouse or in the URL with LAT/LONG. It will interpolate the weather for any location and in my experience of living in an odd weather location, it does a pretty good job.

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.41400486816977&lon=-118.14542770385742&site=vef&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text

Keep an eye on the site. As the storm gets closer, they will know more. I'd say if you want to go up there and have plans, then go. You might get some wind that will blow you off the mountain. If that happens, there are lots of places in the area that are wonderful where you can get out of the weather and wind.

Have fun.

[ROL]

Specifically, there are no heavy snowfalls forecast, and I know weather being weather.....but does bristlecone get weather similar to Yosemite in terms of road closures...

Though somewhat south, probably yes – considering the standard early season cold front forecast at this time. If enough snow falls, the spur to White Mtn. from CA 168 and Westgard Pass will close.

Use the NWS links Preston has kindly supplied you with. Pay particular attention to the Forecast Discussion link at the bottom of the pages. Geez, all you amateur weathermen!

By the way, I was chased out of the High Sierra backcountry (Little Five Lakes) just last weekend by a poorly interpreted, incredibly violent storm spawned by quickly traveling cutoff low pressure (see SummitPost posting (http://www.summitpost.org/phpBB3/last-saturday-s-sierra-storm-t59952.html)). Images not LF.


Friday Evening:
http://www.rangeoflightphotography.com/SupportPics/Digital/Great%20Western%20Divide%202011/KaweahPksLittle5Lks.jpg

Saturday:
http://www.rangeoflightphotography.com/SupportPics/Digital/Great%20Western%20Divide%202011/KaweahPksSnow.jpg

[Terry Hull]

Bill B. If I change my reservations to go south first because of the weather I will try to catch up with you folks. I am jinxed in my inability to get to Yosemite/Bodie/Bristlecone.

I may go to Lone Pine area, or even Stovepipe Wells first and then hope for better toward the tail end of my time, in the areas I mentioned above.

Thanks for all the help!

[Drew Wiley]

ROL - I did the loop over Franklin Pass, thru big and little 5 lks, and back over Blackrock Pass and Timber Gap just the week before. Lots of heavy hail, rain, sleet, and snow, so had to time it over the passes and back down very efficiently. Absolutely gorgeous, but inherently missed a lot of photo opportunites. Got enough
shots to play with for awhile, of course. There were some lost hikers searches going
on in the interludes choppers could fly, and I certainly hope they ended without
hypothermic fatailities. A couple of unprepared hikers earlier in the season apparently weren't so lucky.

[Terry Hull]

Is 395 south of Reno likely to be a problem if the passes further south are closed?

[Drew Wiley]

Very unlikely 395 will close. But as I said, always have warm clothes and a slpg bag
with you. Most of the paved side roads up from 395 are also kept open, though the
road into the Bristlecones might close. Just remember that a forecast of "overcast"
in towns like Mammoth or Bishop should be translated as, "raining or snowing like
crazy" where the roads terminate up at the higher trailheads. But unless roads ice
over, you can generally get back downhill quickly. The road to Patriarch Grove is
almost 11000 ft for quite a few miles, so probably not a good idea in a rental car
even if the road is open. You can generally get to Sherman Grove at the end of
the pavement; and to magnificent panoramas across Owens Valley toward the so.
Sierras. Incidentally, two weeks ago I was enjoying the view from one of the passes
of the Great Western Divide, looking across the Kern Canyon toward the Sierra
crest from the west. The entire crest was white. Stovepipe Well is likely to have
the opposite problem and be an absolute oven this early in the season.

[Preston]

Is 395 south of Reno likely to be a problem if the passes further south are closed?

Terry,

There is a pass on 395 between the Sonora Pass turnoff and Bridgeport called Devil's Gate Pass. It's elevation is 7,500 feet. The highway there is excellent--not steep. If you have chains, it should not be a problem. There is a downgrade on the south side, but if you take it easy, you'll do fine if the weather is funky.

Conway Summit, between Bridgeport and Lee Vining is just shy of 8,000 ft., but again, if you take it easy, it should not be a problem, given the current forecasts.

--P

[vinny]

Did some shooting in along tioga pass and lundy canyon today. It's still very warm for this time of year. It began raining as we left lee vining at sunset. I hope we get some snow as it has snowed every year i've come up here around this time. I plan to visit the bristlecones on monday.
Most aspens are still completely green.

[Terry Hull]

In the weather crap shoot (and given 48 hour motel cancellation policies) I inverted my schedule to arrive in Lone Pine about dinner time 4 Oct around 6:30PM from Reno. I will be there 3 nights. I will be staying at the Dow Villa (hotel cheap seats) and would like to meet Lfers.

I will then either go back north to Big Pine (hoping for Bristlecone) and further north (Bodie) or to Stovepipe Wells based on weather, and the Alamo car rental policy vis roads to Bodie/Bristlecone.

Thanks again to all of your for help.

[Preston]

Just a thought, or two...Since you are heading south on 10/4, why not hop over to Bodie on your way to Lone Pine if you have the time, and the weather cooperates?

As someone mentioned, DV will be hot, and drier than a popcorn fart. If it was me, I would opt to save DV for a later trip and spend my time in the Sierra and its environs.

Glad to help, Terry. Have a great trip, get lots of great light, and stay safe.

--P

[Drew Wiley]

Unseasonable warmth in the high country this time of year is not necessarily a sign
of a comparable forecast. Often it means that some big ogre of a weather system is
crunching the warm air in front of it. Every now and them some fisherman will wander back a few miles in shorts and a T-shirt and then they won't be able to find
them till the snow thaws the next summer. I personally love tempemental weather,
but plan for, whether on the trail or on the road. A storm is expected here on the coast tommorow, with a much bigger one Wed, so this is due to hit the Sierra just
a day later. If for some reason the passes on Hwy 395 should snow over, one can
simply detour the usual truck route from Carson City toward Yerrington slightly into
Nevada, then triangle back down to the north end of Owens Valley. About an hour
longer, that's all. Fall color is just starting to snap into place, but the best chance of
hitting it good will be at the top of the Rock Creek rd above Tom's place, which
branches off 395 just before one descends from Mono Basin into Owen's Valley.
It's an excellent fast paved road clear up to 10,000 ft. A very easy nearly-level hike
takes one into the Little Lakes valley and its over-photographed mtn backdrops,
but no one says you have to duplicate the usual postcards. An early lacing of snow
on those particular peaks and ridges is quite a treat. Lots of aspen around there too,
which typically turn color a full month before they do around June Lk or Lundy Can.

[Jeffrey Sipress]

The areas you want to visit at the tops of the White Mtns have unique and highly unpredictable weather patterns. That's what I love about being up there. The first snows of the season provide the finest dusting for the best photo ops. You can drive pavement all the way to the Shulman Grove unless it is a very big snow dump which will close the gated road. Just do it!

[Drew Wiley]

Jeffrey - I got stuck up there alone one Oct with more than just a dusting of snow. No one could get in or out for a couple of days. I loved every minute of it.

[ROL]

ROL - I did the loop over Franklin Pass, thru big and little 5 lks, and back over Blackrock Pass and Timber Gap just the week before. Lots of heavy hail, rain, sleet, and snow, so had to time it over the passes and back down very efficiently. Absolutely gorgeous, but inherently missed a lot of photo opportunites. Got enough
shots to play with for awhile, of course. There were some lost hikers searches going
on in the interludes choppers could fly, and I certainly hope they ended without
hypothermic fatailities. A couple of unprepared hikers earlier in the season apparently weren't so lucky.

Black Rock sucks. I have successfully avoided it for more than 40 years, but it was my escape hatch given the unknowable weather at that moment (drat!). My intended route was further south up Lost Canyon and over Sawtooth Pass. Either way my wife successfully rendezvoused with me in MK, on Sunday. Learning to use my new digi advanced point & shoot.

[Drew Wiley]

I had originally planned an extra day to backtrack up to Columbine Lk and over
Sawtooth, but the big lightining storms each afternoon required some pretty circumspect route choice, and I lost the first two day stuck in camp at Franklin Lk,
which was in fact quite relaxing - just pop out of the tent whenever the sleet or hail
would stop for ten minutes, grab a nearby shot, and pack the gear back up so I
have a big fuss cleaning it up. But I must say I loved Blackrock and its views,
especially in that dicey weather, but admit I was taking it the reverse direction. I
would have liked to have tried the shortcut over Glacier Pass, but the fellow hiking
with me had no steep ice experience, and the backcountry ranger confirmed that
an ice and crampons would still be needed. A couple of the nights were warm
despite the wild daytime weather, so we did quite a bit of nite hiking either with or
without moonlight. There was a lot more snow on the Kaweahs than in your shots.
Sept is such a wonderful time of the yr in the high country, esp now that nearly all
the mosquitos have retired for the season.

[ROL]

FYI –


Winter Storm Watch


URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HANFORD CA
135 PM PDT SUN OCT 2 2011

...WINTER-LIKE STORM TO AFFECT THE SOUTHERN SIERRA NEVADA TUESDAY
NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.A STRONG STORM DROPPING OUT OF THE GULF OF ALASKA WILL BRING
UNSEASONABLY COLD WEATHER TO THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA INTERIOR.
TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS COULD BE AS HIGH AS 18 INCHES OVER THE
HIGH COUNTRY...AND UP TO A FOOT DOWN TO THE 7000 FOOT LEVEL. THE
STORM IS FORECAST TO MOVE EAST OF THE REGION BY THURSDAY NIGHT.

...although the NWS tends to overforecast forecastable early season storms and underforecast the storms it misses entirely.:eek:

[ROL]

I had originally planned an extra day to backtrack up to Columbine Lk and over
Sawtooth, but the big lightining storms each afternoon required some pretty circumspect route choice, and I lost the first two day stuck in camp at Franklin Lk,
which was in fact quite relaxing - just pop out of the tent whenever the sleet or hail
would stop for ten minutes, grab a nearby shot, and pack the gear back up so I
have a big fuss cleaning it up. But I must say I loved Blackrock and its views,
especially in that dicey weather, but admit I was taking it the reverse direction. I
would have liked to have tried the shortcut over Glacier Pass, but the fellow hiking
with me had no steep ice experience, and the backcountry ranger confirmed that
an ice and crampons would still be needed. A couple of the nights were warm
despite the wild daytime weather, so we did quite a bit of nite hiking either with or
without moonlight. There was a lot more snow on the Kaweahs than in your shots.
Sept is such a wonderful time of the yr in the high country, esp now that nearly all
the mosquitos have retired for the season.

The first time I crossed Glacier Pass, there was actually a Glacier! Perhaps it's coming back. As for late season mosquitoes there is this recent SummitPost thread (http://www.summitpost.org/phpBB3/skeeters-gone-t59824.html) started by some fine fellow.

[Terry Hull]

Thanks again. One other question-is it difficult to get rooms in Lee Vining or along Mono lake? I am thinking of leaving the last few days in flex, but never did like sleeping in a car. I know it is a holiday weekend (Columbus day) but have no feel for supply and demand for the two days, next sunday and monday. I appreciate all of the help you folks have provided.

[Drew Wiley]

Lee Vining and Bridgeport are really small pleasant towns, but it's a bit off season, so hard to say if you'll find accommodations. Probably. But Mammoth is just bit further
south and will have plenty of rooms. If you have time, make sure you run up to the
overlook past the Mammoth ski resort, right where the paved road ends. You'll get
a nice panorama of the Minarets and Ritter Range. Mammoth and Bishop are the
bigger towns on 395, with supermarkets and all that nonsense, just in case you need
supplies. Decent restaurants can be found in any of the towns. Down in Big Pine,
note the little Victorian church where my mother's uncle was circuit preacher back
in the rowdy mining days - I have albumen prints of it being built. It's a short drive
up the hill to Glacier Lodge and partial views of the Palisades, which will be especially
nice after a fresh snow, which is almost certain at this point. Since these peaks are
fully 10.000 ft above the Owens Valley floor, you can still have hot midday conditions
down along 395 while up high there will be more winterlike ones.

[JeffKohn]

Man I'm really bummed about this storm system. We're flying into Vegas this Saturday morning, and then driving up to Mammoth Lakes for 4 nights followed by 3 nights in Bishop before heading back home. We had planned to do lots of hiking, and it sounds like pretty much all the trails will be completely snowed over.

[Vaughn]

Climate is something one has, weather is what one gets.

I'm hoping the weather settles back down in a week and a half here in the Pacific NW. I am planning a two night backpack trip into the wilds of the Redwoods. There are constant creek crossings (Redwood Creek) and the water will be up a bit from when I was there a few weeks ago, due to the rains we are getting now. But there will be nothing higher than during a Spring trip I took last year.

Trying to figure out what camera to take. The 5x7 would be cool, the 4x5 a lot lighter, but the Rolleiflex the most practical. I can only dream about the 8x10 unless I was to double hike it (a trip in with the camera, then another with the gear and supplies). Maybe when the boys get another couple years older...hmmmm

Vaughn

[Drew Wiley]

Why the heck would you be bummed, Jeff? This is exactly the kind of weather I'd want
photo-touring the east side of the Sierra. I'd admit that when I was a reckless kid in my 40's I'd charge uphill right into the worst backcountry storms of the season just for the thrill and for those special shots only bad weather brings. But Bishop and the
highway etc is thousands of feet lower. You're likely to get lovely transient tracing of snow at mid-elevation rocks, and lovely powder cover on ledges higher up. Rain would be a real plus for color too. This is a relatively warm fast-moving storm, though it will be cold enough up toward timberline. You can fine-tune your weather and photo ops with elevation changes. The paved side roads climb all the way from desert clear up into the aspen. Those particlar roads generally have a few all-yr cabins on them, so are promptly plowed if necessary. The bristlecones are a different story; but there are just so many options in that part of the world. I've I hadn't just returned from a trip, I'd bomb right over there. My main worry would be the delicate snow features melting
too fast.

[Drew Wiley]

Hiking per se, Jeff. Just make sure your daypack has a good Goretex parka and dry
jacket, and wear real oiled leather boots suitable for snow, not those glorified tennis-shoe things. Gaiter might help too if the snow hasn't settled; but this warm stuff is more likely going to be mushy. Overnight backpacking is more involved of course; but a storm system like this won't eliminate all kinds of gorgeous day hiking options on the East side. I have done many long backcountry trips up there in way worse weather than this, but certainly don't encourage anyone doing that kind of thing casually. Just
use common-sense preparation and you'll have a wonderful time. There are hundreds
and hundreds of squares miles of turf below the actual Sierra crest on the east side
which are worthy of exploration, and not just a handful of "must see" spots.

[Jim Galli]

Report from Tonopah Nevada Oct. 5th 9:36AM:

Brrrrrrrrrr................

[Drew Wiley]

Vaughn - I was thinking, why not just start shooting Minox, and then you can put your
entire darkroom operation in a lunch box along with the camera. It would probably be
fun washing off carbon relief with an eyedropper.

[Jim Graves]

Report from Tonopah Nevada Oct. 5th 9:36AM:

Brrrrrrrrrr................

Just curious if the number of "r"s in your reporting system varies inversely with the temperature?

That would be the opposite, I believe, of cricket chirps.

[Vaughn]

Vaughn - I was thinking, why not just start shooting Minox, and then you can put your entire darkroom operation in a lunch box along with the camera. It would probably be fun washing off carbon relief with an eyedropper.

:D I'm working on that -- you have the intermediate step, that tiny little 6x7 carbon. And I have a little 1.75" square carbon print from an old Diana Camera negative I made. If I could keep the dichromate contained, what a blast to make tiny carbons in the wilds!

I made some platinum/palladium prints last night -- something like that would be a little more practical (or tea-toned cyanotypes)!

[JeffKohn]

Hiking per se, Jeff. Just make sure your daypack has a good Goretex parka and dry
jacket, and wear real oiled leather boots suitable for snow, not those glorified tennis-shoe things. Gaiter might help too if the snow hasn't settled; but this warm stuff is more likely going to be mushy. Overnight backpacking is more involved of course; but a storm system like this won't eliminate all kinds of gorgeous day hiking options on the East side. I have done many long backcountry trips up there in way worse weather than this, but certainly don't encourage anyone doing that kind of thing casually. Just
use common-sense preparation and you'll have a wonderful time. There are hundreds
and hundreds of squares miles of turf below the actual Sierra crest on the east side
which are worthy of exploration, and not just a handful of "must see" spots.
Yeah, maybe I'm overreacting, I've never been there in winter conditions so really have no idea what to expect. Still, it seems the more ambitious day-hikes we were looking forward to will not be feasible (Big Pine Basin, Garnet/1000-Island Lakes, Mammoth Crest). I suppose some trails may still be accessible, though I wonder if trailhead access will be a problem in a rental car (SUV, but probably not 4WD). If you know of some specific trails with lower starting points I'd appreciate any recommendations.

[Drew Wiley]

I was also thinking that you could simply punch out a little round piece of rubber foam
and use it behind the crown of glass on your watch for a contact printing frame. The
timer would be built in. We could combine this with the terror-bear thread down in the
Lounge: "Last known photograph by famous carbon-printer Vaughn H. successfully recovered from watch found inside stomach of Humboldt County black bear."

[Drew Wiley]

Jeff - superb dayhikes from side roads likely to be open include McGee Canyon,
Rock Creek and Little Lakes Valley, any number of things around Mammoth, and various
upper reaches on Bishop Creek. You just have to play it by ear. The folks at the
Mammoth Ranger Station just at the edge of town near the airport, or the BLM station down in Lone Pine can be pretty helpful in this respect. The Bishop ranger station can be pretty anal, however - just depends who's on duty. Convict Canyon directly opposite the Mammoth airport is stunning; but don't try crossing the creek 5 miles up after a storm like this. Trying to take in places like Thousand Is Lk and Big Pine Can all in one short trip is fairly ambitious; but both are likely to be in deep snow by now, and are overvisited and overphotographed anyway (both are beautiful, but no more than hundreds of other options in that country). Just be flexible, carry the right clothing, and have fun. I have spent my whole life in the Sierras including hundreds of backpacking trips and have not even visited major sections of it. It's hard to go wrong as long as you're prepared for a variety of fall
weather conditions. You've got everything from true desert to high altitude around
the same vicinity, and can for all practical purposes, select the microclimate. The
light should be marvelous everywhere, however.

[Vaughn]

"Last known photograph by famous carbon-printer Vaughn H. successfully recovered from watch found inside stomach of Humboldt County black bear."

A romantic ending, to be sure -- but more likely I'll be found dead after falling 15 feet or so off a redwood log, impaled on some branch stubs, with a film holder in my hands...and my 11x14 marking the spot high overhead.

That almost happened to one of my boys -- I said "don't come up here, there is not enough room." But they all climbed up anyway (my head was under the darkcloth). But Alex only fell about 6 feet and only bruised himself up a little on the stubs. Five-year olds bounce better than 50+ year olds!

It has been over 40 years since I have been to Thousand Island Lake, and over 30 years since I have have backpacked in the Sierra high country. That was the trade-off with being a wilderness ranger in the coast ranges...no time for Sierra trips.

[Drew Wiley]

Vaughn, I've never been impaled yet, but have fallen off a log and through ice, and once into quicksand (fortunately, there was an overhanging branch nearby to pull myself out on). Up in the coastal woods I'm more worried about stepping through a
rotten spot in the log into a hornet nest. It's happened to me twice. But as far as
miniature prints are concerned, I was reminded that way back whenever I once shared
an exhibit with a photographic miniaturist. He was a jeweler in his day job, and cleverly
devised a way to mount a viewing magnifier to each particular print frame. As I recall,
they were 35mm contact prints taken with macro lenses.

[vinny]

I left lone pine yesterday morning knowing snow was coming. Now all i get to see is the webcams! I'd love to go back up there this week. Btw, don't take your car up to the patriarch grove. I took my subaru up there and i'm suprised it made it back down. That road is nasty and it took almost two hours to get there from the 395.

[JeffKohn]

Jeff - superb dayhikes from side roads likely to be open include McGee Canyon,
Rock Creek and Little Lakes Valley, any number of things around Mammoth, and various
upper reaches on Bishop Creek. You just have to play it by ear. The folks at the
Mammoth Ranger Station just at the edge of town near the airport, or the BLM station down in Lone Pine can be pretty helpful in this respect. The Bishop ranger station can be pretty anal, however - just depends who's on duty. Convict Canyon directly opposite the Mammoth airport is stunning; but don't try crossing the creek 5 miles up after a storm like this. Trying to take in places like Thousand Is Lk and Big Pine Can all in one short trip is fairly ambitious; but both are likely to be in deep snow by now, and are overvisited and overphotographed anyway (both are beautiful, but no more than hundreds of other options in that country). Just be flexible, carry the right clothing, and have fun. I have spent my whole life in the Sierras including hundreds of backpacking trips and have not even visited major sections of it. It's hard to go wrong as long as you're prepared for a variety of fall
weather conditions. You've got everything from true desert to high altitude around
the same vicinity, and can for all practical purposes, select the microclimate. The
light should be marvelous everywhere, however.
Thanks for the additional info, it's much appreciated.

[joselsgil]

I left Lone Pine yesterday at around 3 PM. The weather was sunny with some clouds up on Mt Whitney. The wind was the biggest PITA.
Today in the Los Angeles area, we got rain most of the day. The storm that come thru wasn't very large and should make some interesting photo opportunities up in the sierras.

Jose

[vinny]

good to meet you jose.

[Laura_Campbell]

The storm dropped a fair amount of rain in the Owens Valley, and snow on the peaks. Scattered snow showers this evening at the higher elevations. Still windy and cold. This is how it looks this evening (digi pic) in Lone Pine:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6055/6218938894_fcd5f263bf_o.jpg

[Jim Galli]

The storm dropped a fair amount of rain in the Owens Valley, and snow on the peaks. Scattered snow showers this evening at the higher elevations. Still windy and cold. This is how it looks this evening (digi pic) in Lone Pine:


Los Angeles needs the water.

[Laura_Campbell]

Los Angeles needs the water.

They do. Don't forget to pull the chain.

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Water is okay but the wind was a bitch!

[Terry Hull]

Returned last night from a lovely 8 days, greatly helped by members of this forum-thanks again! After arriving in Reno I drove to Bodie beating the chain requirements on 395 by several hours. Winds at Bodie were very high for the two hours I had prior to the park closing. Due to weather I went straight to Lone Pine/DV the latter high temp of only 85! Bristlecone(couldn't quite get to top-snow), Crowley Lake, June Lakes Loop, Mono Lake, Tioga/Yosemite Park all great (Yosemite Village not so great), drive around Tahoe and Truckee very enjoyable, before returning to what I found to be a seemingly sad city of Reno, as evidenced by the people down on their luck in the River Walk area.

One story to relate-TSA at the Reno airport suggested the scanner was not good for film, hence I had two choices: either have it scanned, or open the 4X5 exposed film boxes. I convinced the supervisor to use my film changing bag, which after about 15 minutes of training, seemed to work. I could tell that she opened one of the four boxes, and seemed to do it correctly. The supervisor will recommend that changing bags be purchased; with training for the TSA folks that deal with film issues.