Planning Trip to Deathvalley, Sierra, Yosemite Nat Parks, need advise

[mentalcrisis00]

Hey All

I'm trying to plan the logistics for a December trip to Deathvalley, Sierra, and Yosemite National Parks. Basically my plan is to fly into Vegas for $240 round trip, then rent a car for $150 a week, then drive 3.5 hours to Deathvalley, probably go up route 95 unless I find a back road to crosses the DV then get to 395 to Sierra and Yosemite.

I have never been out that way but I've seen alot of work from the area including stuff by Ansel Adams and it's really inspiring stuff. To be able to hit DV, Sierra, and Yosemite in one trip would be great. Can anyone familiar with the area tell me if this would be a feasible idea? Or if anyone has some suggestions that will keep me from disaster that would be great.

I'm going to be taking my Wista DX in a backpack (as carry on) and my LL Bean hiking pack with small tent, sleeping bag, and other survival gear I generally take when I go camping and hiking. Of course plenty of food and water. Anything else I should consider please let me know. I'm thinking about Dec 24th to Jan 4-11 as a time frame.

[J Ney]

Not to burst your bubble but you are going to have a hard time getting from the east side of the Sierras / DV to Yosemite in December. Hwy 120 will likely be closed (if it hasn't closed already) and you'd be forced into a huge detour around the Sierras.

Don't fret, though... there is more than enough in that area to fill a life time of shooting (let alone a week).

A couple of tips...
- rent a high-clearance vehicle for Death Valley so you aren't confined to pavement
- try to get into the Panamint mts near DV as it provides a nice change from the valley floor
- check which roads are open that can lead you up to some of the alpine lakes in the eastern Sierras (eg: Lake Sabrina, South Lake, etc...)
- Take a look at the June Lake area and of course the standard locales of Mono Lake, etc...


My other tip would really be to stay loose & flexible during the time (which works well if you're camping). I would maybe come up with a list of 4 or 5 places to hit up but then play the rest by ear.

Have a blast!!!!!

[J Ney]

Hey All

I'm thinking about Dec 24th to Jan 4-11 as a time frame.

Just so you're not surprised, Death Valley will be BUSY!!!!!! I think that is probably their busiest time of year. Just reinforces my previous suggestion to get a high-clearance vehicle and get the hell off the roads and away from the crowds!

If possible in DV, try to hit up the Racetrack at sunrise (note, it takes a long time to get out there on an extremely wash-boarded road and I'd suggest camping as close as possible the night before), the Eureka dunes are also out of the way enough as to not be busy.
If you do plan on shooting dunes, it is ideal to shoot at sunrise rather than sunset as you don't have a day of footprints in the sand to contend with.

[mentalcrisis00]

Not to burst your bubble but you are going to have a hard time getting from the east side of the Sierras / DV to Yosemite in December. Hwy 120 will likely be closed (if it hasn't closed already) and you'd be forced into a huge detour around the Sierras.

Don't worry about bursting my bubble, that is great information! I wouldn't have known otherwise, nothing is set in stone yet. All I know is that I want to go. I did figure on camping the entire time for cost reasons and just because I prefer to rather than staying in a hotel.

Thanks for the suggested locals, I do want to hit the less touristy places for sure. Dunes would be nice because it would be drastically different from the mountainous forest covered landscapes I usually photograph.

Anyone know of any unforeseeable problems with taking 4x5 film or camera on a plane? Should I put film in my checked baggage?

[Preston]

Tioga Pass is currently closed, and with a storm expected this coming weekend, it will likely be closed for the winter. If you are in the DV area, and you really want to go to Yosemite, you can cross the range at Walker Pass (CA 178). it will dump you out on CA 99 at Bakerfield. You would then go north to Yosemite. Speaking from experience: It is a very long drive, and during the holidaze, 99 will be a zoo.

If you decide to hit the backroads in DV, find someone in another vehicle to team up with. If you are alone, and have a break down, you may wind up in deep s**t.

I agree with Mr Ney; stay flexible. The weather will likely be a governing factor, so you may, or may not be able to access some areas due to snow and/or flash flood warnings.

The higher reaches of the Sierra East Side canyons may be inaccessible. However, places such as the Alabama Hills, and other high desert areas between 395 and the base of the Sierra may be snow-free, and are fun to explore.

The areas north of Bishop, such as Rock Creek, Convict Lake, June Lake, Bodie, and the Mono Lake area are gorgeous that time of year. You'll have to pay close attention to weather forecasts and current and expected road conditions because these places are at a much higher elevation than the lower reaches of Owens Valley.

Flexibility really is the key. Have fun!

--P

[John Jarosz]

Do not put film into checked luggage.

Hand carry the film, put it thru the x-ray and you should be good to go. Try to stay in sight of your film to make sure some idiot doesn't open the box.

3 or 4 passes thru carry-on x-ray won't hurt the film. If they x-ray your checked baggage it will be with a MUCH higher dose of x-rays and your film will be toast.

[Richard Raymond]

Ray,
Good luck with your trip. Sounds like a nice adventure. If you keep Yosemite on your agenda make sure that you get chains with the rental. They may be required depending on snow conditions. If not available with the rental then find out where you can buy them in Las Vegas. The usual auto parts stores may have them. Give them a call once you have more information.
Depending on time of day that you arrive I would recommend an overnight stay in Las Vegas on arrival and the night before departure on the return flight. This will allow you to get your trip organized at this end.
Plenty of opportunities for camping. Make sure that you bring cold weather gear. A zero degree bag should do if you have a good pad. (Also depends on whether you sleep cold or hot.)
Las Vegas to Death Valley. I would recommend going out the 160 toward Pahrump and then heading west to Shoshone. This will bring you into the valley at the south end. You can travel north to Bad Water, Furnace Creek and camp either at Furnace Creek or Stove Pipe Wells by the dunes. As this is your first trip I would not go too far off road. See the main sights and have more time for photography. Catch the sunrise over the dunes, etc.
DV to Eastern Sierras is out the 190. Stops in Lone Pine and Alabama Hills to get the mountains and sandstone. Head north to Bishop if you are interested in shooting winter ... snow, snow on trees, etc. There are camping areas in Big Pine. I would recommend that you head south from Lone Pine area and go south on the 395 to Indian Wells and take the 178 to 155 south of Lake Isabella and then over to the western Sierras.
From there it is up to Fresno and then the 41 into the south entrance to Yosemite. A few days there and then head north and over the 308 back to the east side of the Sierras. Then it is south to Mono Lake, Bishop, Lone Pine and back east through Death Valley.
Nice loop and can be done with the 2 weeks you gave and still have time for photos.
Best regards,
Ric

[Drew Wiley]

A bit ambitious trying to do both the east and west side of the Sierras, unless you like
a lot of boring freeway driving, with the potential for dangerous tule fog in the Central
Valley in between. There's more than enough to see in just Death Valley and along the
eastern Sierra. But if weather permits it's not a terrible drive up Hwwy 395 past the
eastern edge of Lk Tahoe, then back down. Weather can change rapidly, so as everyone has been already noting, carry a warm sleeping bag, lots of extra food and
water, and maybe chains too. I personally think you'll get a bigger bang for the buck
just sticking with the east side of the mountains. Some of the side canyon are often
still open, up to Whitney Portal, Aspendell above Bishop, and to Mammoth Mtn.

[Merg Ross]

I agree with Drew, leave Yosemite for another trip. There is so much to see and photograph on the eastern side, and 395 is really special in the winter; Mono Lake, June Lake Loop, Alabama Hills, maybe Bodie if you have an interest in ghost towns, and the weather permits.

To repeat what others have mentioned, take chains, plenty of food and cold weather gear. I have been in Bridgeport in the winter and experienced sub-zero temperatures.

Have fun and be safe!

[Jim Galli]

All very good suggestions so far. The pictures are where you find them. The Ancient Bristlecone forest is a fine extreme to death valley within a very few miles relative to a birds flight. You can be below sea level and climb to 11,000 + if weather permits. I've been up in the Britlecones in January on a dry year. Brisk and beautiful. If there have been storms, probably best to not try that. The road is good for a really long way up the mountain.

Your bigger problem is, it's all so beautiful, you'll want to drive less and shoot more. Distances eat up valuable time.