Nearby trips for upcoming vacation [Archive] - Large Format Photography Forum

macandal

12-Jul-2013, 13:23

I have time in August for photo trip. I am thinking of driving, so I was looking for nearby places. I am using the word "nearby" somewhat liberally, as I'm willing to travel about 12 hours from where I am to capture some good landscape shots. I am located in San Francisco, CA. Just so you get an idea, a 12 hour trip would take me to Utah (I know; I've done it). Someone recommended Taos NM. I checked and Taos is about 17 hours from here. I would drive the additional 5 hours, so I'm not set on a 12-hour limit. If I don't say anything there will be many suggestions for me to go to Yosemite (especially since I've never been). Yosemite is such a popular destination that attracts thousands of people every year. I'm trying to avoid these crowds, and, besides, I already have a Yosemite trip planned for the fall (2013) or winter/spring (2014).

Slot canyons attract me, so do sand dunes, however, I am not limiting myself to a trip to find these two particular scenes. Have at it. What would be a good trip for me to go to?

Thanks.

bob carnie

12-Jul-2013, 13:26

I travelled to New Mexico once, I thought Taos was super cool, I would like to go there again, unique terrain.

Vaughn

12-Jul-2013, 14:04

The various redwood parks in northern California -- starting about 250 miles north of you.

Continue up the Oregon Coast to the Columbia River. Hit the Gorge and return south via Hwy 97, maybe Crater Lake, perhaps over to Lava Beds Nat. Monument (NE CA) then down Hwy 395 and over Sonora Pass back to the coast...or from Lava Beds over to Hwy 5 past Mt Shasta and down.

macandal

12-Jul-2013, 14:13

I travelled to New Mexico once, I thought Taos was super cool, I would like to go there again, unique terrain.
Thanks. That's what I've heard too, Bob.

The various redwood parks in northern California -- starting about 250 miles north of you.

Continue up the Oregon Coast to the Columbia River. Hit the Gorge and return south via Hwy 97, maybe Crater Lake, perhaps over to Lava Beds Nat. Monument (NE CA) then down Hwy 395 and over Sonora Pass back to the coast...or from Lava Beds over to Hwy 5 past Mt Shasta and down.Very elaborate Vaughn. I like it. Something to give some serious thought. Thanks.

Drew Wiley

12-Jul-2013, 15:43

Sounds like most of the West, which only reminds me of about 500 different options.... plus another 5000 I haven't thought of yet. Heck... For summertime, I'd second what Vaughn said, with one exception, just head north on Hwy 1 ... you'll be out of film before you exit Marin County. Maybe Vaughn can loan you some
more by the time you get that far. Better to drive at nite so you can't see anything until you reach the Columbia Gorge, or you might never get there. Just pack
up your gear and supplies and go!!

civich

12-Jul-2013, 17:40

If you do Taos be sure and check out Great Sand Dunes NP - 2 hours north and easily done either on the way to or from Taos. Do-able even for a drive by shot if you are there early or late - check out Nate Potter's offering - http://www.flickr.com/photos/argiolus/8817180342/ (page 704 in the Large Format Landscape section). August may offer some thunderstorm cloud action if you are lucky. Don't know if you are tenting or using motels but both are available at or just outside the park or in Alamosa (35 mi). GSDNP is the highest, largest (I think) and certainly the most unique sand dune mass in N America crammed as it is against the base of the Sangre de Cristo mountains with their collection of 14K foot peaks as a background. - Chris

John Kasaian

12-Jul-2013, 20:35

We went to the Olympic Peninsula last year. Take I-5 and it's quick and easy.

tgtaylor

12-Jul-2013, 21:45

I plan on hiking out to Reflection Lake in Kings Canyon NP sometime in August. By that time my pinky toe should be healed (I broke it one morning on a coffee table in the living room) and fording Bubbs Creek should be doable then. About 30 strenuous miles RT. You're welcome to come along.

Thomas

Mark Barendt

12-Jul-2013, 22:42

Death Valley.

Zion. Bryce. Moab.

Monument Valley.

Canyon De Chelly.

Leszek Vogt

13-Jul-2013, 00:01

I prefer the less traveled trails....there are just too may to choose from.

Kings Canyon
Tuolumne Meadows
Lassen
Brookings, OR (and Redwoods on the way)
Crater Lake
Rocky Mt
Sand Dunes (or dunes in Oregon).

Les

Leszek Vogt

13-Jul-2013, 00:26

Hmmm, totally forgot Vancouver Island (a gem).

Les

Otto Seaman

13-Jul-2013, 00:30

Vaughn's suggestion to do a loop up Northern California is a good one, I especially liked the Eastern side of the mountains from Rt 395.

You could expand the loop to hit Ashland, Crater Lake, and the very photogenic, if infrequently photographed, Eastern Oregon locales around Malheur Lake, onto the Owyhee, into Idaho... very desolate!

Mark Barendt

13-Jul-2013, 05:27

Black Rock Desert http://www.burningman.com/

John Kasaian

13-Jul-2013, 09:30

Tuolumne Meadows less travelled? Try getting reservations for a campsite.:rolleyes:

Leszek Vogt

13-Jul-2013, 13:21

Alright John, you can call me lucky ;). I was staying at Tamarack Flats and despite being July (2012) I was able to secure on-the-spot campsite for two consecutive nights at T. Meadows (indeed, w/o 6 month reservations). Part of it is patience and the other part is approaching the situation early in the day....weekends might be less optimistic :). There are enough trails (and space)...where elbowing others is not necessary, though this would not be tolerated (he he) in the valley....and we all know it. Just try to get out to Vernal Falls on the weekend and you are trippin' over peeps or they are bumpin' into you. I've scratched the valley from my list in '97...or maybe even earlier.

Les

Jim Andrada

15-Jul-2013, 17:08

August in Tucson is just fine - much cooler than June (seriously - school starts up around 8/15)

There should still be monsoon action which is really dramatic - more clouds than you would imagine (which is why it's cooler.) Humidity can be a bit high by Arizona standards but still drier than the Bay area. Great sunsets . Maybe a bit warmer than San Francisco:<))

Scott Davis

15-Jul-2013, 17:33

How about sticking a LOT closer to home? While it's not sand dunes, there are some great trails through old-growth redwoods in Purisima Creek Open Space Preserve near Half Moon Bay. And they're not heavily trafficked or photographed. Then there's always Oceano dunes for some Edward Weston-esque action. And don't forget about Pinnacles National Park (which actually has two halves, one a little ways south of Gilroy and the other half of the rock formations is down near Bakersfield somewhere - the two halves have been separating for millennia thanks to the San Andreas fault). And there's the black sand beach at the bottom of the hill right off Conzelman road at Kirby Cove. A bit further up the coast, still in the GGNRA, Pirates Cove. That's just for starters.

macandal

21-Jul-2013, 14:50

So here are two trips I've sketched out based on Vaughn's and Leszek's suggestions.

Vaughn's
http://goo.gl/maps/dZJsk

Leszek's (I eliminated the two places near Yosemite, as this will be another trip entirely. I eliminated his suggestion of the Rocky Mountains, as it would take me too much out of the way, since most of the trip is in No. CA and south OR. Also, I could use another stop between Brookings, OR and SF.)
http://goo.gl/maps/LdduU

What do you think?

Vaughn

21-Jul-2013, 18:58

Alt route on my original suggestion -- at Lava Beds, head SE to Hwy139 down to Hwy 299 to Burney Falls, or over to Lassen Nat. Park.

Leszek Vogt

21-Jul-2013, 19:56

Funny, Vaughn took the words out of my mouth....I was thinking Burney Falls when I was looking at your destinations. Yes, Yosemite requires bit of time and be at the right place & @ right time (light)....and Rocky Mt is great if you have other stuff aligned with it.....so I do understand. Indeed, Dakotah brought up an excellent point, it's so easy to get yourself lost (deliciously & repeatedly) on Rte 1....and I've done it several times, I mean so much so that time became a strange concept....as I was lurking under the rocks. This was v. easy to do when I lived in the Bay Area.

If you can and it's not too far out of your way, stop for few scenic shots (coast) at Cape Sebastian St PK....closer to sunset (if feasible) will give you better results. Whether No. or So., the view is superb (there).....No. Cal and Oregon are well known for this. I would meander (if you have extra time) around Redwoods....many beautiful diversions. On my last trip South I spend little bit of time at Prairie Creek Red. St PK (I'd recommend it)....probably 2 miles from Vaughn's house :D. I found the burned out redwood log that's truely amazing (still standing)...and you can ask the ranger about the "twisted tree".

Hope you have a nice experience.

Les

Vaughn

21-Jul-2013, 20:27

Les -- unfortunately I live 55 miles south of Prairie Creek (I use to keep track of my mileage, but the round trip always seemed to be 110 miles). The redwoods in the southern part of the county are about 45miles away -- tend to be more flood-plain landscape (and with poison oak!).

"Twisted tree" -- do you mean the Corkscrew Tree? Neat, not easily to photograph (space is a little tight). Fern Canyon is worth the time.

Also -- don't forget the opportunity to see about 20 original AA prints on display at Swanlund's Camera in Eureka! Through August!

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?105193-Traveling-up-the-North-Coast-of-CA-AA-Exihibit-in-Eureka-July-and-August-2013

A few Prairie Creek images...I have a bunch, LOL! Lf to right: carbon - platinum - carbon - platinum. All w/ 8x10.

PS -- I like the idea of not going so far north (I would say that the Columbia River Gorge is nicer in spring, anyway). Try to hit the Pistol River/Meyers Beach stretch of the Oregon coast at low tide -- great rocks...sort of what you see at Cannon Beach much farther north.

As one hits Humboldt County heading north, get off the main highway and take the Avenue of the Giants (the northern half if you are short on time -- the whole road is ~30 miles long...the old highway). Wonderful (but again watch out for poison oak if you get off the trails!)

h2oman

25-Jul-2013, 09:03

If you go for the Oregon option, feel free to get ahold of me when you are in the Crater Lake/Lava Beds area. I'd be happy to share what little local knowledge I have, or join you for a bit. My phone number is 541-331-1547.

Vaughn is spot on about the Myers creek area, and there are some neat dunes with grass and driftwood accessible from a small pullout just on the south side of the Pistol River. My favorite beach along there is China Beach, in Boardman Park (just north of Brookings). It is a short hike down a steep hill (with a reasonable trail, if you can find it). The number of people I've seen there in the 4 or 5 times I've been down there is one.

I've found this to be a very useful guide:

http://www.amazon.com/100-Hikes-Travel-Guide-Oregon/dp/0981570119/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374768082&sr=1-1&keywords=william+l+sullivan

He also has guides to other parts of Oregon. They all have good information about where to park, the trails, and interesting spots along the trails. Many of the hikes covered are moderately short, so good for hauling LF gear along.

Gregg Waterman

PS I've been to Burney Falls once, and have longed to go back. Less wild than even the shortest of hikes at, say, Lava Beds, but a wonderful waterfall. One nice thing about it (at least for someone like me who has trouble working with a lot of contrast with chaotic subject matter) is that the fall is in a north facing amphitheater, and by that time of year is mostly in the shade much of the day. It is also fairly complex, so lends itself well to extractions of just parts of it, is you have a long enough lens to do that. (I don't know what length that would be!)

Drew Wiley

25-Jul-2013, 13:40

Eastern Oregon is a pretty damn big hunk of meat and utterly different from the wet 1/3 of the state which most people equate with Oregon scenery. It hot and
has long distances between towns, but some incredible scenery. Then you've got the Blue Mtns, Wallowas, and John Day River up in the NE corner. You could hypothetically loop upriver on the Columbia and down thataway. To do this trip justice, I'll allow yourself a few decades in addition to the coastal route on Hwy 1
northward. About the only run I don't care much for is the horribly clogged summer traffic between Bend and back toward Hwy 5 in Calif. Something to avoid if
possible. ... but what I'm hinting at again is, don't be too ambitious. Do you want fun and great pictures, or just a sore butt from too much car mileage? Break the
hypothetical route into several distinct trips so you have time simply to wander and explore. I'm still two or three years behind drymounting prints of Marin County
alone, not to mention all the new 8x10 negs I still have to print.

macandal

25-Jul-2013, 15:38

... but what I'm hinting at again is, don't be too ambitious. Do you want fun and great pictures, or just a sore butt from too much car mileage? Break the
hypothetical route into several distinct trips so you have time simply to wander and explore. I'm still two or three years behind drymounting prints of Marin County
alone, not to mention all the new 8x10 negs I still have to print.Exactly Drew. I'm going for quality not quantity. I have a week, but I don't have to be gone a week. If I do, that's fine. I want to photograph places but I don't want to rush. I want to take as much time as I need to get my shots.

Robert Langham

25-Jul-2013, 20:43

I'd go to Yosemite and not spend a lot of time in the valley. Go to Hetch Hetchy. Tiogat to Tenaya Lake and shoot Junipers. Maybe walk to Clouds Rest from the Olmstead area.

99318

macandal

26-Jul-2013, 09:34

I'd go to Yosemite and not spend a lot of time in the valley.Like I said, Yosemite is a later trip.

macandal

8-Aug-2013, 16:23

Updated trip.

I took Vaughn's suggestion and added Lassen. I also eliminated the Columbia river destination. It's too far up north and I only have seven days. I don't want to short change any destination any more than I already am.

Updated trip. (http://goo.gl/maps/vUu7C)

What do you think?

I'm not a camper, so, hopefully there will be inexpensive (but safe and clean) places to stay (and eat).

Thanks everyone.

Vaughn

8-Aug-2013, 16:57

Trip looks good! Can't help you with motels, etc -- that is why I have a VW Camper!

But I do have a futon in the living room here in Eureka, though I may need to buy some sheets if you would like to crash at my place...friends know to bring a sleeping bag!

The show of AA prints is still up at Swanlund's Camera (about 17 to 19 originals) on F Street between 6th and 7th Streets. And I have eight 16x20 silver gelatin prints (from 4x5 negs) hanging in Redwood Capital Bank on the corner of G and 5th. Also hanging there are some B&W inkjet prints by a friend (he is still working on building his darkroom). His work is from scanned 4x5 negatives.

I also have several carbon and platinum prints at the Arcata Artisans Gallery on the Plaza in Arcata (west side of the plaza).

Have a great trip!

Drew Wiley

9-Aug-2013, 08:59

The nice thing about Lassen is that it's a good distance from any of the commercial clutter which plagues the boundaries of more popular parks. Yeah, it's within driving distance of a few hot valley towns. But if you want to enjoy the sunrise and sunset up there - all the special things that come with just being there, esp on the back side of the mtn - it's more a camping experience. So you might want to do a little research to see if there are any more developed campgrounds with cabins
and a cafe closer to the park. I wouldn't want to jut wander up there and expect motels. It's somewhat isolated once you head uphill from the valley. There might
be a fisherman's resort or two with cabins up there somewhere.

macandal

9-Aug-2013, 10:56

So you might want to do a little research to see if there are any more developed campgrounds with cabins and a cafe closer to the park. I wouldn't want to jut wander up there and expect motels. It's somewhat isolated once you head uphill from the valley. There might be a fisherman's resort or two with cabins up there somewhere.Drew, thanks, good call about Lassen. I was, indeed, expecting to find motels there. I just checked trip advisor and none show. This may pose a problem and I may have to cancel the Lassen stop. I'm not a camper at all. A cabin is fine but I'm not sure I'm going to find one. I'll have to research further. If anyone has more information about Lassen, please let me know.

Thanks.

h2oman

9-Aug-2013, 11:33

I have several comments/suggestions:

1. Crescent City would be a good place to stay, in that it is not particularly touristy and motels are not expensive. When you are there, or when you are leaving for Grants Pass, find out where the Elk Valley Casino is. Head out that way, then get on the Howland Hill road for a drive through some redwoods. It is a narrow one-lane dirt road with pullouts pretty closely spaced for cars to get by each other. The road is dirt but very good, although I would guess it gets very slick if it has rained in the past few hours. The downside is that if it hasn't rained a little or been wet in the last few days, the dust from the road coats all the ferns. There are several trailheads where you can probably walk a short distance and get out of the dust.

2. I'd be flexible about Crater Lake. There are some large fires in western Oregon, and smoke has been a problem. I was up there last Thursday and you could barely see across the lake, but yesterday the visibility was good, if a bit hazy. A good way to see what is going on up there is this:

http://www.nps.gov/crla/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm

This will likely remain an issue for another month or so.

3. If you decided to bail on Crater Lake, you could go north of Crescent City just a little to the Brookings area. I think I already mentioned some good coastal things up there. If you wanted to skip Crater Lake but still hit Burney Falls, you can take Highway 199 from Crescent City up to O'Brien, Oregon, then go down to Happy Camp. That is a small road, but asphalt and fine traveling. Then take 96 up the Klamath River to I-5, then down to Mcloud and over to Burney Falls.

4. If you do go to Crater Lake, you have two options. You can take Highway 62 all the way in to the park, then turn onto the road that goes up to the rim. Or you can take 62 all the way to Diamond Lake, and then go in the north entrance, which will take you up to the rim. If you wish to stay outside the park, for option 1 you should check on lodging in Union Creek or Prospect, For option 2, I'd try to stay at the Diamond lake resort. Or, best of all, try to get a room in the lodge at the rim of the crater, in the park. I have no idea what availability or cost are. Any way you do it, you will exit out the south on Highway 62.

5. Leaving Crater Lake you will head south, taking 62 to 97 to 139. Just past Merrill (south of Klamath Falls), you should see a sign for Lava Beds National Monument. If you turn there, it will take you through the monument, then back out onto 139. Be sure to get gas in Klamath Falls or Merrill, because gas stations are a bit scarce south of there.

I may have overdone it - oh well!

macandal

9-Aug-2013, 11:43

So you might want to do a little research to see if there are any more developed campgrounds with cabins and a cafe closer to the park.I found this. (http://www.recreation.gov/campsiteDetails.do?siteId=304566&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=72185) Like I said, I ain't a camper, but a cabin will do. I'll just bring some coffee, a steak, and some Safeway-brand charcoal and cook me a dinner (unless I can find a diner nearby).

Drew Wiley

9-Aug-2013, 12:02

That's Manzanita Lake - the small facility well inside the park itself. Very nice location indeed, close to lots of good trails and vistas, and without any of the crowds you'd get in some place like Yosemite. But it is limited, so you'd want to attempt a reservation as early as possible, and would probably have better luck getting a weekday reservation than a weekend. But it's all done Gov't website now, so you'll know right off the bat what your chances are.

macandal

9-Aug-2013, 13:02

That's Manzanita LakeIs that a bad thing?

I may have to put the Columbia River location back and eliminate Lassen--leave it for another trip. Lassen may need a little more preparation.

Vaughn

9-Aug-2013, 13:14

Drew Wiley

9-Aug-2013, 13:18

Not a bad thing at all. You can pick up a few picnic box groceries in Redding or Chico (depending on where you're coming from) and set up your mini headquarters at
Manzanita Lake if you can book a cabin in time. But it is out of the way, and perhaps better paired to an exploration of eastern Oregon than a trip up the Oregon
coast. Getting back from Lassen to SF is a steady 6 or 7 hr drive, depending on traffic. It's further than Shasta in terms of actual road time. I'm not terribly fond of
the dusty volcanic soils ubiquitous east of the Cascades late in the season, because I eventually get nosebleeds from all the silica dust. But a bit of rain or snow,
either side of summer per se, and the Lassen area can be special. But tacking it onto an already long drive might be a bit much, since you can reach it in a relaxed
day from SF, then proceed from there if you wish to some really quiet parts of NE Calif and SE Oregon.... I won't say where my favorite spots are... but there are
some real jewels in that empty corner of the world (but some very long drives between motels!)

h2oman

10-Aug-2013, 11:13

H2oman has a good point about the smoke. Lots of fires lately, but the smoke can be nice for close images as it can soften the light, but not nice for images that include distance views.

Yes, I actually had a very good day of photography at Crater Lake last week, with quite a bit of smoke. I either did not include sky or made sure I included very little. The smoke provided a sense of "atmosphere" that is lacking when the air is very clear. Here are a couple examples - unfortunately I sized them a little too large:

http://tangent.oit.edu/~watermang/CL_rock&slopes.jpg

http://tangent.oit.edu/~watermang/CL_lao_rock.jpg

For closer subjects the smoke nicely softened the light, as Vaughn mentioned. It was sort of like the light at the coast, with the extra humidity in the air:

http://tangent.oit.edu/~watermang/CL_watchman.jpg

Here is what the lake looked like:

http://tangent.oit.edu/~watermang/CL_smoke.jpg

Not the incredible deep blue that it normally is!

Drew Wiley

12-Aug-2013, 09:01

Take it as it comes. The early photographers of the West sometimes developed a mastery of atmosphere because the blue-sensitive films of the day left them no
choice. Smoke is just another creative element to work with as far as I'm concerned. But my lungs would argue that it's inappropriate.

macandal

20-Aug-2013, 10:21

Updated trip. (http://goo.gl/maps/vUu7C)I'm eliminating Lassen. Too difficult to plan and I leave this Sunday (the 25th). Can you guys recommend another destination between Lava Beds National Monument and San Francisco? If not, I'll just stay longer at the other locations (which may not be a bad idea at all; quality, not quantity). Thanks.

h2oman

22-Aug-2013, 18:39

Mount Shasta, Castle Crags, any of the waterfalls around McCloud/Dunsmuir/Mt Shasta City. You could piece together the three falls on the Mcloud and Burney Falls.

I'll tell you, though. I just got back from doing three days of the Oregon Coast in the Brookings and Gold Beach area and it was fantastic. Just on the edge of Brookings is Harris Beach, a bit crowded in the evenings (because it is right by a large campground and the town) but pretty much empty at 7:15 this morning. Four miles north and you can drive right to the beach at Lone Ranch Beach. Four more miles and its Whaleshead Beach. Drive another 8-10 miles and you are Myers Creek Beach. All of these have easy access and sea stacks, streams, kelp, driftwood, the works. Just south of Myers Beach there are dunes with grass at the Pistol River. Three miles north of God beach is a cool headland called Otter Point.

If you search images for any of those you'll se roughly what you would have to work with. I can send you directions to Otter Point and a secluded beach called China Beach if you are interested. Neither of them are signed.

Gregg

macandal

26-Aug-2013, 08:34

I made it to Arcata yesterday (Sunday) and started driving around and shooting. On one of these shootings, I had my camera on the tripod all set and was getting some other things from the car, so I leaned the camera against the care, securely, I thought. Then, as I walked away from it, THE CAMERA FELL TO THE GROUND!!!! The back standard went flying, and the camera hit the ground with the front standard flat on the hard pavement. The lens (300mm) is not broken and appears to be working fine, but the ring got dinged. It's got scratches and it definitely bent. I think it could still a filter around it as most of it is still nice and round. We'll see.

Anyway, after that scare I was more careful. Today (Monday) I'll go to Redwoods Nat'l Park.

macandal

27-Aug-2013, 08:02

I tried using the lens yesterday and it appears it did suffer some damage from hitting the ground. When I got my shot all ready, set my aperture and shutter speed, but when I tried to cock the shutter, it didn't do it, it fired right away. Do you think this is reparable? I mean in an affordable manner that wouldn't make it easier to just buy another one? I'm really bummed and I want to kick myself for being so dumb and prop my camera that way. Always set it down, people, always set it down.

I leave Arcata today. I'm going into Eureka this morning to look at the Ansel Adams prints (I hope they're still there), and then I leave. I'm going to Crater Lake OR tomorrow. I still don't have a place to stay. HELP!!

Vaughn

27-Aug-2013, 08:48

Sorry to hear about the lens! AA prints still up (gave you a call, but your phone is off). Check out Fern Canyon and the Prairie Creek Trail!

Happy trails!

Vaughn

Kirk Fry

27-Aug-2013, 22:54

"Craters of the Moon in Idaho is a vast ocean of lava flows with scattered islands of cinder cones and sagebrush. We invite you to explore this "weird and scenic landscape" where yesterday's volcanic events are likely to continue tomorrow... " from the NPS folks.
The place is awesome. Don't miss it if you are close.

macandal

28-Aug-2013, 15:41

Sorry to hear about the lens! AA prints still up (gave you a call, but your phone is off). Check out Fern Canyon and the Prairie Creek Trail!

Happy trails!

VaughnVaughn, thanks, got your call. The phone wasn't off. It just decided not to ring and it went directly to voice mail. I did see the the prints. They were great. I did the Cathedral something or other trail. I'm surprised I managed to complete it. With all my equipment and that heavy tripod, I was carrying quite a load. Going to the gym on a regular basis has truly paid off!!

macandal

28-Aug-2013, 15:42

macandal

28-Aug-2013, 15:46

Kind folks, as I was driving to Oregon on the 5 N, I kept seeing a beautiful mountain with some snow already at the peak. Of course, not being an outdoors person it didn't dawn on me until much later that what I was looking at was Mt Shasta (yeah, the big signs announcing that I was getting closer to Shasta City helped). On my way back I would like to stop and photograph it the way it looked when I was driving up. What are some good lookout points to take some pictures of it? Places not too far from the 5 S, I wouldn't want to drive off course too far. Thanks.