Thoughts on Fall in the Eastern Sierra
You know, for 20+ years I looked forward to photographing fall colors in the Eastern Sierra. It was the highlight of my year. Because I lived in Bishop, I was able to go into the mountains anytime I wanted. If the conditions were right, I could run up Bishop Creek or McGee Creek and get my photos. It was also nice because I could plan my outings for days when there weren’t as many photographers in the areas that I wanted to shoot.
I was also very happy to share my adventures with everyone on SierraVisions and on photo groups like CalPhoto. For many years I was the main fall color reporter for the Eastern Sierra and I tried to keep everyone informed about what was happening.
Boy have times changed.
Now, on their blogs, many photographers report about Fall in the Eastern Sierra. Twitter,
Facebook and Flickr are ringing with Eastern Sierra activity. We also have two people in Bishop giving first hand reports now. And I’m sure that when October rolls in and the hills are alive with the sound of clicking shutters, we’ll have reports flowing in as fast as Bishop Creek flows down it’s canyon.
And you know what? I think that’s pretty cool. It’s awesome that the internet can provide photographers with all of this information. Many of these photographer only get a few days out of the year to shoot fall in the Eastern Sierra and this helps them better prepare for their trips and gives them a chance to come up with ideas about the images they want to capture. That’s a very positive thing.
But there’s a negative side too. News of the Eastern Sierra’s Fall color show is now reaching more and more photographers from around the world. Many are planning their trips to Bishop Creek, Lundy Lake, June Lake Loop, Rock Creek Canyon and all of the great aspens displays of the Eastern Sierra. Once October rolls in and the color show really gets going, the canyons will be crawling with photographers trying to capture those great images. It was crazy the last few years that I lived in Bishop. I have a bad feeling this year could be insane.
Personally, I’m kind of glad that I’m far away from the madness of it all. For me, nature photography is about being alone in the wilderness creating beautiful images of Mother Nature. 
It’s about connecting with those special, spiritual feelings that you only get when you’re alone in the wilderness. I don’t get a lot of enjoyment dodging other photographers and trying to stay out of their shots while many of them walk right into mine.
So for all of you who plan on going to the Eastern Sierra this fall, I wish you all the luck in the world. I hope you get some great images and have a great time creating them. I also hope that you don’t twist an ankle dodging all of the tripod legs 
As for me, I’ll be up in Minnesota shooting fall colors along the shores of Lake Superior, Mille Lacs Lake and the places in between. After that I’ll be chasing colors here in Wisconsin and down in Illinois. There’s a chance that I might see another photographer or two. There’s also a chance that I’ll have it all to myself.
I SO appreciate your thoughts, Steven. I started my own blog yesterday, “Spirits Dancing in the Heart of the Wind.” (http://spiritsdancing.blogspot.com/) It’s still new and primitive, but you’ve just inspired me to make my first real post today, “The Changing Seasons of Fall Color Photography.” Thank you.
You’re own blog? AWESOME!! Good for you Kahlee. Welcome to the world of blogging. I can’t wait to read it!!
Glad I could inspire you. And I love the name you chose.
Thanks Steven. Hope one day to earn a spot on your “SierraVisions Friends” sidebar.
I’m putting you there right now
Great post, Steven. Although I have always had to drive to get to or across the Sierra (I live in the SF Bay Area) for the 3-4 weeks of time I spend there in total each year, I’ve always been somewhat jealous of those who lived on the east side.
During the past few years I’ve seen the crowds of photographers increase markedly. I’ve noticed a few things over recent years. First, very few people in California have had a clue about what lies to the east of the Sierra crest, much less about the astounding autumn aspen color show. Second, more are now finding out! While I don’t think it will ever be quite like New England – as every New Englander and ex-New Englander is quick to remind me – I do think that this fall color spectacular is becoming more widely known.
For my part, I’ll try to be over that way on each of four or so long weekends starting in late September. (Part of that first one will be spent backpacking and photographing in Yosemite.) Fortunately, I’ve learning that aspen trees look beautiful whether they are at North Lake or not!
Dan
Thanks Dan.
decided to make Bishop his world headquarters and it’s just exploded from there.
I think it all started when a certain photographer, I believe his name is Galen something or other
Also Bishop, Inyo County and Mono County have done a good job marketing the fall colors. October has been one of the busiest months of the year for many years in Bishop.
You’re right, aspens are beautiful no matter where they are. And when you know where to look, there’s some awesome ones that most don’t know about.
It definitely has a “circus” atmosphere about it at north lake and the canyon. I try and avoid the frenzy and shoot off the main road a bit or just before the wave of photographer’s approaches. It’s good for the local economy though. Last year I was lucky to get north lake at peak the weekend before everyone else came up. I did go up there to check on things the following weekend when the masses hit. I saw some people doing some really stupid things along the road to north lake. As time draws near I’ll likely be posting some dos and don’ts for north lake.
I agree Cory, it’s a huge boost to the local economy. Full motels are always great for small Eastern Sierra towns.
I look forward to your dos and don’ts. I’ve never seen any stupid things done myself, but I know they happen.
Please do Cory. I too missed any crowds last year but i heard the weekends were horrible… rude people, tri pods in middle of the road, not caring who they stop. Tromping off the paths not caring where they stepped. North Lake is beautiful. I am sorry word has gotten out so much… Its nice to share… but… at what expense??
Thanks for doing this, Cory. I will definitely pass on any tips to the Trip n’ Fall group.
Your comment is sorta how I’ve felt about Yosemite the past few years. My first trip to Yosemite was in summer, it was crowded, but I didn’t realize how crowded until I went again in December, Mid week. I maybe saw 10 other people the entire day. It was like having the valley to myself. After that I was never able to go back in summer again. A few years later I was there in winter, there was construction everywhere, and everyone I saw was rude. I haven’t been back since.
I’m also reminded of a trip I made to the southwest a few years ago. I went to Arches National Park near Moab, Utah. I searched around for a good sunset photo spot. Found a spot with no one around and I took the best photo of my whole trip. On my way out, I saw about 100 people (all with tripods packing up and leaving a viewpoint of balanced rock). And I thought to myself, all 100 of them got the same photograph, but no one got the shot I got.
So alot of times I try to find places other people don’t know about or don’t feel like going to.
There is nothing like standing in a location far from roads and cities, waiting for the sun to rise. So quiet that you can almost hear the grass growing. =)
I use to time my Yosemite trips from Bishop for weekdays in spring and fall. I’d stay far away in the summer. The Wednesday after Memorial Day and Labor Day is a great time to go. You have the whole place to yourself.
I’ll keep that in mind for next year =)
I love the winter because it just looks so much more beautiful with snow. The time I was there in December, we arrived the evening of a small snow storm. Next morning there were these miniature clouds floating around in the valley. Really cool.
I very much relate to Mike’s comment about shooting locations. Years ago, I was shooting sunset at Dead Horse Point in the Canyonlands area of Utah. I was the third person to have visited the park the entire day and I had the entire majestic vista to myself. The next day, I was at Grand Canyon and crowds were four and five deep. I haven’t been back to Grand Canyon since they made everyone use the shuttle. They challenge and the excitement is to find vistas (and yes, they still exist) that are off the beaten track. Thankfully there is a lot of pristene wilderness left and in finding it, I remember why I love this so much in the first place.
The first time I went to Grand Canyon was in early March, there was still snow on the ground, nobody was there and you could drive everywhere. I saw the most beautiful sunrise ever my first morning there.
The next time I went was in the summer and it wasn’t a good experience. I’ve always wanted to go back there in early March again, but haven’t had the chance.
My first time at GC when it was four-five deep at sunset was in the early Spring. I think the year was 1989 or 1990. Tourist busses were everywhere. Snow was still melting on the walkways and yet, it was crazy with people elbowing their way to the front. Still, I was able to drive everywhere along the south rim then, and that was great.
Last time I was there in 2004, it was early Thanksgiving week, before the four-day weekend. Not very crowded, but everyone still was forced to use the shuttle, so my friend Karyn and I said, “Forget it” and turned east. On our way out, we did see some nice vistas of the canyon. Not the famous overlooks, but still beautiful. If I were going back to the area in summer, I’d check out the north rim and forget the south.
Where I really want to go is Toroweap Overlook (Tuweep). It’s at the western end of Grand Canyon along the Colorado where Lava Falls rapid is. Accessible only by 4WD roads and with nothing but a primitive campground, there are sheer dropoffs above the river and the views there are spectacular.
Our trip to Canyonlands was smilar. We went in April, saw maybe 10 cars the entire day. We skipped the grand canyon. Same thing happend with Bryce Canyon. In april is semi crowded. One of the lookouts before sunrise had photographers standing shoulder to shoulder. We went back the week between xmas and new years. Didn’t need a reservation for hotel room. And when we drove into the park, snow everywhere, and saw maybe 3-4 people all morning. Practically had the lookout to myself. And the snow makes it look 100 times more awesome.
Although now that I think about it, maybe I shouldn’t say that…it’ll start getting crowded in winter there too. =)
You just broadcasted it to the world Mike
Actually I meant to say the best time to go to any of these places is mid summer. =)
And holiday weekends!
Hey Steven did I hear you say that you’re going up to Mille Lacs this fall? Cool. How about a shot of where the main webcam is located & maybe the folks who run it? I check that webcam every day, sometimes more than once if the weather is interesting and/or there are big waves on the lake.
Karl,
I might just stand in front of the cam and wave at ya. I’m hoping to meet Brad up there. He’s the guy who runs that cam. He told me that I have to see the fall colors at Miile Lacs Lake so it’s in our plans.
Speaking of big waves, there are some good ones on Lake Michigan today. We’ve had some pretty good north-east winds this morning. I haven’t seen the lake this angry since spring.
[...] Bourelle’s Sierra Visions site includes some fall color updates and his post from September 15 is very much worth reading. Thanks, Steve, for the reminder about [...]