Carol's Favorites of Highway 395

Carol Freshley January 21, 2019

It is my turn to share my favorite photographs from Highway 395. These are the images that make me smile.

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley

Sunrise on the Sierra as seen through Mobius Arch

Fifth grade marching band marching in the Mule Days celebration in Bishop, CA

Alabama Hills in foreground with Sierra in the background

Yours truly trying for a different look to Mobius Arch in Alabama Hills (think ‘scooch up on big rock)

Stopping along the road to McGee Creek Trail

Creek we crossed before driving up the mountain road to North Lake

With Russ, a fellow Nikonian at Olmstead Point.

Tom's Favorites of Highway 395

Carol Freshley January 20, 2019

Last spring and fall we were focused on photographing along Highway 395 on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada. The Visitor’s Center in Bishop had a brochure that described this stretch of highway as having a hundred byways and along each highway a hundred wonders. Is that really possible? YES. We were consistently treated to photographic opportunities that made each foray out with our cameras a delight. Many of the specific locations have already been blogged. But, there are some advantages to seeing the photographer’s favorites from their ‘body of work’. Here are Tom’s favorites.

Pond at Glacier Lodge near Big Pine Creek.

Water storage ponds outside Bishop. These ponds are owned by the City of Los Angeles.

The Sierra as viewed from Alabama Hills.

Ancient pines at Bristlecone National Monument.

Mountain Range near Bishop with Mt. Tom in the foreground.

Tourists hiking among the ridges at Zabriski Point in Death Valley.

Yosemite National Park with Half Dome as seen from Olmstead Point.

Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park.

Taken along Highway 168 on the way to North Lake.

Wild Iris growing in a cow pasture in Bishop.

Twin Lakes in Mammoth Lakes recreational area.

Buttermilk area at the foothills of the Sierra.

Lake Ellery east of the Yosemite entry gate from Highway 120.

Overlook north of Bishop showing Mt. Tom in the foreground.

View from road on our way to North Lake.

Much photographed (we stopped at least 5 times) old house along Highway 395.

Road to North Lake (one lane with some pullouts).

Highway 120 or Tioga Pass leading to the east entrance of Yosemite.

North Lake

Carol Freshley December 25, 2018

North Lake is located close to Bishop, CA. It is one of the most popular places among photographers in the fall when the aspen turn bright gold and small shrubs turn orange. The road from the highway into the lake area is a two mile, one way, steep (with no barriers) scary ride!! We visited North Lake in May, well before the aspen even leafed out. We returned often in the fall to check on the trees as they slowly progress to their ‘peak color’. The best day of all . . . well it rained!! Enjoy this collection of our many trips.

Taken in the spring when there was still ice on the lake.

There are not many places to stand for getting a good photograph. By and large, photographers were courteous to share that meager three square feet.

We knew that these would be gorgeous in the fall.

From the road or parking lot (I can’t really tell).

Taken from the passenger seat, this is across the valley as we headed up the steep road to the lake.

I suspect it is possible to get tired of these photos of just the one lake from essentially the one spot!!! We never tired of photographing it, however. LOL

A small creek just at the start of the uphill drive.

If you were brave, you could set up your tripod on top if this big rock.

We had come down from the mountain and were headed back towards Bishop. I looked to the side and this was my view!!!

Looking back towards the turn for North Lake.

Do we really want to go home? Not really.