Eastern Sierra Hotspots
| Highway 395, which runs through the Eastern Sierra, is one of my favorite stretches of road. There are so many places to visit and explore, and of course, many photographic opportunities. This is an area that has something to offer no matter what time of year you visit. I’ve highlighted some of my favorite spots running from North to South along 395. | |
 
|
|
Bodie State Historic Park |
|
| Bodie State Historic Park is a ghost town that has changed little in the past 50 years. Bodie began as a mining camp following the discovery of gold in 1859. It was named after prospector W. S. Bodey but the town’s name changed from “Bodey” to "Bodie," after a painter lettered a sign "Bodie Stables". |
|
|
In 1876, Bodie transformed from a small mining camp into a boomtown due to a significant discovery of gold. At its peak, it had a population over 5,000 people, and over the years of active operation, produced over 30 million dollars in gold. The population began to decline in 1880 when miners moved on to other more promising mining camps. It was officially labeled a ghost town by 1915 and was designated a national historic landmark in 1961. Just over 100 of the original 2,000 structures remain and it is preserved in a state of arrested decay. |
| Getting there: From U.S. 395 seven miles south of Bridgeport, take State Route 270. Go east 10 miles to the end of the pavement and continue 3 miles on a dirt road to Bodie. The last 3 miles can at times be rough. Reduced speeds are necessary. Call the park if there are any questions about road conditions. |
|
Mono Lake area |
|
| The hub for the Mono Lake area is the small town of Lee Vining with a population of just 222 people. It’s main economic source is tourism because of its proximity to Yosemite, Mono Lake and recreation area, Bodie SHP, and June Lake area. The summer months attract the most visitors due to snow and access in the winter. |
|
|
Access to Yosemite high country is via highway 120 west, through Tioga Pass. This area of the park provides different but equally beautiful views of Yosemite than you will see in the valley. There are many day and backpacking routes accessible in this area as well. |
| Mono Lake is a saline lake that provides habitat for 2 million migratory birds. The lack of a lake outlet has resulted in high levels of salt to accumulate in the lake. It is well known for its Tufa Towers which are formed under water by underwater springs rich in calcium mixing with the carbonates in the lake water. The lake has multiple access points, but it’s most popular is South Tufa Reserve. To get there, from Highway 395, turn left onto 120 east and drive almost-5-miles to the turnoff for the South Tufa Reserve. |
|
|
Another natural feature on the north side of Mono Lake is the Black Point Fissures, which are slot canyon like fissures located on a volcanic hill. The trail is located 6 miles from Highway 395 on an unpaved but good quality road. There is no trail but the hike is relatively short at 1 mile.
|
June Lake Loop |
|
| The June Lake Loop is a sixteen mile stretch of road, also known as State Route 158 that connects to Highway 395 south of Lee Vining. It is accessible year round. This area is best known for its four seasons of recreational opportunities and trout fishing in any of the four lakes: Gull, Grant, Silver, and June. |
|
|
In Winter, there is a variety of options including skiing, snowboarding, ice climbing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and more. Spring offers hiking, biking, bird watching, and mountaineering. Summer booms with tourists and the return of the part-time residents who have summer homes along the route. Autumn attracts photographers and leaf peepers with the aspen groves that turn to yellow and orange as the temperatures cool. |
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest |
|
| The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is located in the high elevations of the White Mountains, between 9,800 and 11,000 feet. The trees are known for their ability to grow in the harsh conditions, their twisted trunks and branches, and for their age. The oldest known bristlecone is 5,066 years old. |
|
|
The area has two groves. The first is the Schulman Grove which has hiking trails and the Schulman Grove Visitor Center. The Patriarch Grove is 12 miles beyond the Schulman Grove on a dirt road and has self-guided interpretive trails. This grove contains the largest bristlecone pine. |
Alabama Hills |
|
| The Alabama Hills is a 30,000 acre area filled with hills and rock formations, set at the base of Mount Whitney, just west of Lone Pine off Highway 395. In addition to the many rock formations are the natural arches that can be accessed by short hikes. Activities include Mountain biking, hiking, technical rock climbing, horseback riding, fishing, and of course photography. |
|
|
The hills have served as a back drop for many films from old westerns to modern day science fiction including Star Trek, Iron Man, and Transformers. |
| This area is set on BLM land and dispersed camping is permitted free of charge but there are no amenities. |
|
|
|
I hope this gives you some inspiration to get out and visit the Eastern Sierra and take a few pictures along the way!
Keywords:
BLM,
Bodie,
Yosemite,
alabama hills,
ancient bristlecone,
arches,
autumn,
big pine,
black point fissures,
eastern sierra,
fall,
fall colors,
forest,
ghost town,
grant,
gull,
hikes,
hiking,
june,
june lake,
lake,
leaves,
lee vining,
lone pine,
mono,
mount whitney,
movie road,
patriarch,
pine,
recreation,
rock climbing,
rock formations,
saline,
schulman,
silver,
south tufa reserve,
state historic park,
tufa,
white mountains
Comments
No comments posted.
Loading...
© Cline Photography