Hello from Yosemite! [Archive] - Large Format Photography Forum

Capocheny

14-Jun-2006, 13:04

Greetings Kevin,

Welcome to the club!

Yosemite and new 8x10; hmmmm...nice place to break in the new camera! :)

I've also just gotten an 8x10 and am looking forward to shooting some film with it!

Following up on Eric's comment... I KNOW you'll find this forum both interesting and informative! :)

Have fun!

Cheers

David Karp

14-Jun-2006, 16:01

Welcome aboard. And how lucky are you to be right there in my favorite place!

And John is right, the pizza at Degnan's is really good!

Jay DeFehr

14-Jun-2006, 17:57

Hi Kevin.

It's good to see you here. I look forward to your participation.

Jay

Barry F

15-Jun-2006, 02:34

Hi Kev,

Yosemite eh? Been over to the States twice in the past 2 years hitting the West then the East coasts - can't wait to return and do the great parks such as Yosemite. You are very fortunate to live in such a wonderful place.

Barry

kjsphotography

15-Jun-2006, 21:46

Wow thank you all for the responses!

From the parking area at Tunnel view, walk 1/4 mile up the trail on the south side of the road to have a much better shot of the valley than that from the parking lot.

Than you for the tip? Is it real steep? I remember being on one trail but it never took me out to see the view but was a bit steep.

Oh Satudray Tioga pass open all the way through 395!! I was jstu up there today and the snow has really cleared. Still on the sied of the road a bit but not bad at all. Also Sonora Pass is open all the way though to 395.

If any of you all get over this way drop me a line and we can go out and shoot.

Yeah the 8x10 is pretty amazing especially the negs. I was shooting 4x5 and 5x7 but 8x10 is jsut a different league all togehter.

Thanks again and I am really glad I found this place!

Kev

gene LaFord

17-Jun-2006, 14:59

Hi ya Kev!! :D

gene

kjsphotography

17-Jun-2006, 16:30

Gene!!! LOL! Small world! How is it going bud? I didnt realize there was other LF sites!

Too cool!

Turner Reich

18-Jun-2006, 01:01

Hi Kevin,

I'm going to go to Yosemite in August, it's the only time I have, wonder if there will be a place near the park to park my 15 foot trailer. It's new and I hope to try it out soon. I live near Seattle so it isn't far to go. I was there over a year ago but the passes were not open so I couldn't go to Mono Lake or even up to Glacier Point. Iv'e been to Yosemite only two times before and can't wait to go again. Last time I stayed at the Bear Lodge up near Indian Creek park on the river.

Welcome to the Large Format Photo Forum, I'm fairly new too.

Turner

John Kasaian

18-Jun-2006, 07:19

Turner,

The passes and Glacier Point roads are open, 140 out of Merced might still be closed though. For a place to camp, try to get a space at Pines Campground in Yosemite Valley. Near Tioga Pass there is a campground below Ellery Lake thats operated by an Electric company that you could get your trailer into easily (I wouldn't want to try to get a large traile into Saddlebag Lake but its been awhile since I was there---if you can get it up the road it would be a great place to camp.

kjsphotography

18-Jun-2006, 12:33

You are gogin to want to stay on the 120 side to get through the park as 140 is closed. Check out;

http://www.stayatyosemite.com/tents/lodging.htm

Also there is more camping near hetch hetchy and Evergreen Lodge. Those areas are abotu 10 minute fro the main gates into the park. I wodl not stay in the park as it iwll be a nightmare. Outside the park is the best bet.

In the link above they have campsites for RV and hookups.

If you send me an email I will ask around for you.

Turner Reich

18-Jun-2006, 21:00

kjsphotography

19-Jun-2006, 01:10

Kevin and John, thank you, I know that this time of the year is the worst for parking and traffic in the park. I will check out side and will definately not do a lot of driving in the park if possible. I wouldn't drive at all if it wasn't for the gear. It was busy last Spring but very nice just out of the beaten path.

Thanks,
Turner

You are more than welcome. If you liek let me know when you are here and I can show you around. I know a bunch of places where people dont go and are not photographed very often and are close to the road.

I am always looking for new LF friends to shoot with.

Kev

Turner Reich

19-Jun-2006, 03:21

Gee Kevin that's really nice of you. I'll drop a note before the trip starts as I am looking forward to the visit of what is certainly the greatest place on Earth. The history channel always list the Grand Cannon as number one, and it's pretty darn good, but Yosemite is beyond comparison. Yellowstone is high on my list but Yosemite Valley is like a dream.

Best Regards,
Turner

kjsphotography

19-Jun-2006, 13:52

Just found some more RV camping spots;

Camping and RV Parks

Yosemite Lakes Preserve (Naco/Thousand Trails) (RV & Tent Sites, Yurts)
209-962-0103

Yosemite Pines RV Park LLC
209-962-7690
(877) 962-7690
yosemitepinesrv.com
yosemite@yosemitepinesrv.com

YOSEMITE LAKES RESORT
(209) 962-0121
(800) 533-1001
Located five miles from Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Lakes Campground offers full hookups, tent sites, and rental accommodations. Horseback riding available during the summer. Call for reservations.

John Kasaian

21-Jun-2006, 17:22

Yosemite Lakes is up the road from me and I wouldn't recommend it. In the summer the Hwy 41 gate is gridlocked and I have a suspicion that all drivers on Hwy 41 have had their brains surgically removed ;-)

No, really---you'll still have a heck of a long drive to get into the park on a crowded road. The only good thing about it is its close to the indian casino where the chow is pretty good (but the slots are tight)

Stick with the Tioga Pass area if possible. Its a bit of a drive to get to the valley but for photography it is wonderful. If you want to go in on the HWY 41 side, check out Summerdale campground in Fish Camp, just outside the gate or better yet the campground along the river at Wawona (inside the park)---both are a lot closer to the "action"

Or bite the bullet and reserve a space at Upper/Lower Pines in Yosemite Valley

kjsphotography

21-Jun-2006, 18:16

Isn't Highway coming thorugh Merced? I am a bit new to the area so I could be wrong. Yosemites Lake is on 120 and used to be ACI then Thousand Trails then Naco Thousand Trials I think but dont quote me it is near hetch hetchy / evergreen lodge road. I have never had a problem with traffic in 2 years on the 120 side going into the park but I know coming thourgh Merced is a complete nightmare adn I am never doing that again. Totally terrible. I the merced side 41?

But then again in the summer I dont go into the valley much and make a right run right up to Tioga pass instead.

OPn the brains removed I have to agree what scares the tar out of me is Tioga Pass with the tourist on it then jstu pass adn cut you right off. That I hate especitally since there are no barriers to stop you from going over the edge.

Yosemite Lakes is up the road from me and I wouldn't recommend it. In the summer the Hwy 41 gate is gridlocked and I have a suspicion that all drivers on Hwy 41 have had their brains surgically removed ;-)

No, really---you'll still have a heck of a long drive to get into the park on a crowded road. The only good thing about it is its close to the indian casino where the chow is pretty good (but the slots are tight)

Stick with the Tioga Pass area if possible. Its a bit of a drive to get to the valley but for photography it is wonderful. If you want to go in on the HWY 41 side, check out Summerdale campground in Fish Camp, just outside the gate or better yet the campground along the river at Wawona (inside the park)---both are a lot closer to the "action"

Or bite the bullet and reserve a space at Upper/Lower Pines in Yosemite Valley

Keith S. Walklet

21-Jun-2006, 21:43

John,

Kevin is thinking of another Yosemite Lakes, just a couple miles outside the entrance on 120 on the way to Groveland. Here's the description:

osemite Lakes Park

Yosemite Lakes RV Park is a 400-acre property located in Groveland 5 miles from the west gate of Yosemite National Park. It is one of more than 50 membership campgrounds run by Thousand Trails, Inc. The campground is situated on a lake with a beach. It offers a full selection of amenities including a store, laundry, playground, and lodge. Campers can enjoy basketball & volleyball courts, bike rentals, mini-golf, hiking trails, kayaks, and many more activities.

With 100 sites, including 50 with full hook ups, as well as sewer and fresh water it is ideal for those who need RV camping near Yosemite Park. Rates for the summer of 2005 at this Yosemite Lakes RV Park start at $35 per night. Other accommodations include 130 campsites, 17 trailers, 10 bunkhouse cabins, 22 yurts, 6 garden homes, and a 12-room hostel.

Yosemite Lakes (120 side) is not a bad option if one wants to get to Yosemite Valley occasionally. Otherwise, your original recommendation, the campgrounds at Ellery Lake or Lee Vining Campground are the most appealing. There is also a the RV park in Lee Vining itself.

Curt Palm

21-Jun-2006, 22:28

[QUOTE=John Kasaian]Yosemite Lakes is up the road from me and I wouldn't recommend it. In the summer the Hwy 41 gate is gridlocked and I have a suspicion that all drivers on Hwy 41 have had their brains surgically removed ;-)

both Hwy 41 and 120 will be more crowded this year. the landslide on hwy 140 may keep that road closed for up to a year, although more recent reports say it could be opened with one-way controled traffic by the end of summer.

Keith S. Walklet

21-Jun-2006, 22:54

True about 140. At this point, they are looking at bridges across the river and improvements to the old railroad grade to bypass the slide that is blocking the road. A major project no matter what they decide to do. And that has, and will displace people to the other routes into the park. Locals are calling El Portal "El Portal Cul De Sac."
The lack of through traffic may make camping on the uphill side of the slide a possibility. There are a limited number of campsites along the river south of El Portal. It is worth looking into.

John Kasaian

21-Jun-2006, 23:36

The Yosemite Lakes I was referring to is a development near Oakhurst which has a neary KOA campground---arrrgh---make that KOA Kampground. I don't know anything about the Yosemite Lakes in Groveland---thats not an area I am familiar with since usually I 'hit' 120 inside the park. My apologies!

Wawona will still get you closer to the action as well as the Glacier Point road and Ellery Lake is also a great base coming from the East side of the park(Whoa Nellie Deli-able too!)

All this talk about YNP has me hankerin' for a day trip, maybe tomorrow (am I insane?) but I'd like to shoot the approach to the original four mile trail just to document it. This is a trail the rangers closed many (50?) years ago. I found the approach two years ago based on what my father had told me and what the last brave guy I knew who had hiked it (maybe seven or eight years ago) told me---long after the trail was officially 'closed.' If you're in the valley, find an old timer who knows the origins of the custom of yelling "Elmer"" at the top of your lungs, across the Merced River at old Camp 16 (now called the housekeeping camp) after sundown and they can probably point the way. Its not on any map I know of unless you can find one from the 1950s or older and is now quite a scramble over the talus that has obscured the lower approach. It isn't the same animal as the current "four mile trail."

I'd normally wait until autumn, but the 'dorff wants to go NOW ;-)

Cheers!

Keith S. Walklet

22-Jun-2006, 08:07

Hmmm.... If you are referring to the "One Mile Trail" otherwise known as "the Ledge Trail", that is a tricky area this time of year. Wet from run-off, loose rock in a very active rockfall area. Wear your pith helmet. ;-)

Or are you talking about the top side of the trail. The trail crews eliminated some of the most interesting aspects to make the ascent easier. Union Point, near Agazis(sp?) Rock is all over grown, but the rock that was a famous landmark for Watkins, et al is still standing. That is about half-way down the trail.

John Kasaian

22-Jun-2006, 08:25

Kieth,

I've heard it referred to as the ledge trail. Looking at Glacier Point from the valley you can see it--the ledge across the face going from left to right at a steep angle. The approach I found---if I'm correct---you start at the Camp Curry swimmming pool and walk past the old cabin. There is a trail that snakes up through the talus and I'm guessing thats it. I was running out of daylight and there were some huge boulders obscuring the way so I put it on my "return some day" list. It would make for a contrasty B&W print if I'm not mistaken.

So its only one mile up? Thanks! I wouldn't want to make the embarassing mistake of mis-labelling my photo!

That last person I met who had climbed it was Dr. John Peterson, a prof at Fresno City College and that must have been six or seven years ago.

Keith S. Walklet

22-Jun-2006, 11:11

Yup. One mile up, with a 3,324 foot elevation gain. The trail was always kind of tricky, with painted rocks (many years ago) to help people stay on the course.

But it is a very active rockfall area and the painted rocks are covered up or obliterated by falling rock. Easy to get off the track, especially if one does not pay very good attention to how they got to where they are.

I know there have been others, but the one boo boo I recall from my tenure in the park was a pair of energetic teenage brothers who went up it and were on their way down, lost the trail, slipped on wet rock and,... end of story. :-(

Magnificent views, but tricky area to be.

John Kasaian

22-Jun-2006, 15:49

Kieth,

Thats interesting. I thought it was a one way (up) trail because of the steepness. My Dad told me it had to be hiked side by side because if hikers went single file and one slipped....well you get the idea. I wouldn't try hiking it with an 8x10, tripod etc... but I've always been facinated by the stories I've heard. It definately wouldn't be the place to be during a rock slide!

It must still be active to some extent because I found foot prints on the mineral soil parts of the trail until the talus took over.

Keith S. Walklet

22-Jun-2006, 15:57

>It must still be active to some extent because I found foot prints on the mineral soil parts of the trail until the talus took over.

Yup. Not me. :-)

Even more interesting is that some people choose to ski down it in the winter! Boo Conway, once one of the top extreme skiers in world, was the son of the former manager of the stables in the valley. He did it. Has to be done in a heavy snow year because the normally by the bottom of the trail, the rocks were bigger and it was possible to run out of white stuff. But, after skiing in the extreme competitions in Alaska, Boo said that the Ledge Trail was like a bunny slope. Again. Not me!

John Kasaian

22-Jun-2006, 17:16

Ski?? WOW!

I've always wanted to try the down hill run they cut in expectation of the Winter Olympics coming to Yosemite instead of that little place back East---Lake Placid ;-)
Rail Creek I think, from Badger Pass to just below Chinquapin? I've hear its kept open and on rare days the instructors at Badger will lead the way (if you're very nice to them)

I've also thought the ski hut at Ostrander Lake might be a good LF "target" especially in snow but all the organized XC tours seemed to be going to Glacier Point last year. I wonder if the place is still standing?

It sounds like a perfect place to take a 5x7 Speed Graphic :-)

Keith S. Walklet

22-Jun-2006, 19:04

Rail Creek is correct. It is a bit brushy from what I understand, but a great run. It ends up down on 41 midway between Chinquapin and Wawona. Usually a shuttle car is involved or thumbs. There is some great color footage from the 40s of the instructors skiing down that at the end of the day that was made into a travelogue.

I'd say Yosemite dodged a bullet when Lake Placid got the Olympic bid in 1932. It would be a very different place today.

As for Ostrander, it is still there and it is a wonderful place for large format, beginning with the caretaker, 4x5 photographer and John Muir reincarnate, Howard Weamer, who is quite accomplished in his own right. Reservations are made through the Yosemite Association. When that was first built, ski touring (hut to hut) was the rage in Europe and they envisioned a series of huts in Yosemite. But then downhill took over and touring went by the by.

Howard wrote a book on Ostrander and the history of skiing in Yosemite. Some beautiful images to go along with the historical stuff.