Posted by Peter Coskun on March 3, 2013 at 3:24 PM
Last May I took the trek out to California's eastern sierra and made my way from yosemite, mono lake, mcgee creek, the bristlecone pints, and alabama hills. It was a lot to jam into a week long trip, and it made me long for more time in a few areas. This time I will be heading up specifically to lone pine and stay in the Alabama hills with a possible trip back to mono lake depending on weather situations. When I visited the alabama hills, I only visited the famous mobius arch. This time I'd like to explore the area a little more and find some lesser seen arches and rock formations. I plan on doing some night photography as I had planned this trip just before a new moon. I will likely be heading out there April 5th-8th with a few non photographer friends (they understand my intentions though). I was mostly curious as to what the weather is typically like then? When I went in late May, the mornings were chilly and there was hardly any snow on the peaks. Would you expect there to be a fair amount of snow left on the peaks then? I could only imagine the mornings to be colder, and I am prepared for that. And also if there are any specific areas within the hills or nearby that are worth exploring. I noticed on google maps a few lakes like lone pine lake, mirror lake, upper boy scout lake. Are those fairly long distance hikes? Any helps is as always, greatly appreciated.
April can be a very nice time on the East Side, especially in the South. The days are usually pretty mild, but the nights can be a bit chilly. Here's the kicker: April is the time when the Sierra transitions from a winter climate toward summer climate. Thus, the weather can be mild, or it could be stormy.
So far, it's been a pretty dry winter, and the snowpack is well below normal. That could change, but the NWS Climate Center is forecasting a drier spring. You would have to check with the Interagency Visitor's Center in Lone Pine to obtain an update on trail conditions.
If the road is open to Whitney Portal, and the snow pack has melted, you should be able to get to Lone Pine Lake fairly easily. Mirror Lake is over 10000 feet, so snow/ ice could be an issue.
The only reasonable way to access Upper Boy Scout Lake is via the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek. The canyon is very narrow, and the route is not obvious. It is very steep and there a couple of places where a slip would be disastrous. Once you get to Clyde Meadow (aka Lower Boy Scout Lake) you have to climb a slippery-slide-y scree slope to get to Upper Boy Scout. I heard it said once that "The approach up the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek was where the word 'epic' was first used". I have done this approach to the East Face of Mount Whitney several times, and although it is very beautiful, it is difficult even in the best summer weather. I'd save it for another time, and don't do it solo.
I have spent a lot of time in the Alabama Hills, and there are lots of nooks and crannies that are worth looking into. You could also do a loop of Moffat Ranch Road (just north of Lone Pine) back to Movie Road. Nice views of the Sierra, there. You could also drive along sections of the Tinemaha Road that goes north toward Big Pine. Harley was out that way recently, so maybe he can fill you in a little better.
Also, don't forget to poke around the Owens River watercourse.
--P
Posted by Peter Coskun on March 3, 2013 at 8:55 PM
Thanks for that detailed info on the lakes up there. I'm hoping there isn't too much snow to close anything but enough on the peaks to make images a little more dynamic. I trip around the Owens river area is a good possibility. I visited there only to botch the shot I was looking for.
Peter, Alabama hills has lots to shoot. Don’t be afraid to drive Movie rd to Moffat rd. Along Moffat Rd you will find interesting brush for abstracts or to be used as a foreground for the mountains.
Also check out Olivas Ranch rd. As you are heading up Whitney Portal rd you will take a left on to Olivas Ranch rd. Take this dirt rd to about ¾ of a mile near the end. I shot my favorite Alabama Hills photo from this area.
Check out the webcams
on this site to see the snow, or lack of it on Mt Whitney. I think it’s a great way to check conditions from anywhere you have internet access.
I just looked at the Mount Whitney webcams--thanks for link, Richard--not a lot of snow up there, but that could change in the next few days.
Peter, another road to check out is Horseshoe Meadow Road. It's a left turn off of the Whitney Portal road. There are other roads off of Horseshoe Meadow that are interesting to explore.
--P
Posted by Peter Coskun on March 5, 2013 at 4:11 PM
Thank you Richard and again Preston for the info. I'm planning on camping at tuttle creek campground unless camping is allowed closer to the main area. I checked the webcam and there is more snow than when I was there last year, but like you said it could change. It's not a deal breaker, would just be nice to see those majestic mountains under some snow.
Peter, last year was a very dry snow year for the Sierra. This year is a little better, but it's shaping up to be low snow year, as well. A decent storm is forecast for the new few days, so the range could see a pretty decent dump.
Tuttle Creek CG is OK, but since it's pretty open, the wind could be an annoyance. There are lots of little crannies in the Alabama Hills where you can camp for free--no amenities, of course--but you can find a spot that's more sheltered. It's BLM land, so as long as you maintain a low profile, the rangers won't bug you. I've camped all over that country, and have never had a problem.
I love that country--it's been a while since I was last there--I miss it. Have a great time!
--P
Posted by Peter Coskun on March 17, 2013 at 1:42 PM
Thanks again Preston. I was also curious as to any places close by to mono lake that are good for camping perhaps near Lee Vining or June lake that would be open that time of year.
It's tough to say which campgrounds will be open in the Lee Vining area that early in April. I just looked at the Inyo NF website and currently, all campgrounds in the area are closed for the winter. No opening dates are given. You could try phoning the Inyo NF...
Inyo National Forest
351 Pacu Lane
Suite 200
Bishop, CA 93514
760-873-2400
If I were contemplating a trip to the East Side in early April, I'd opt for the south end of the range, i.e. Lone Pine/Alabama Hills and close-in points. You'll likely have better weather and spring will going nicely.
Discussion
8 repliesApril can be a very nice time on the East Side, especially in the South. The days are usually pretty mild, but the nights can be a bit chilly. Here's the kicker: April is the time when the Sierra transitions from a winter climate toward summer climate. Thus, the weather can be mild, or it could be stormy.
So far, it's been a pretty dry winter, and the snowpack is well below normal. That could change, but the NWS Climate Center is forecasting a drier spring. You would have to check with the Interagency Visitor's Center in Lone Pine to obtain an update on trail conditions.
If the road is open to Whitney Portal, and the snow pack has melted, you should be able to get to Lone Pine Lake fairly easily. Mirror Lake is over 10000 feet, so snow/ ice could be an issue.
The only reasonable way to access Upper Boy Scout Lake is via the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek. The canyon is very narrow, and the route is not obvious. It is very steep and there a couple of places where a slip would be disastrous. Once you get to Clyde Meadow (aka Lower Boy Scout Lake) you have to climb a slippery-slide-y scree slope to get to Upper Boy Scout. I heard it said once that "The approach up the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek was where the word 'epic' was first used". I have done this approach to the East Face of Mount Whitney several times, and although it is very beautiful, it is difficult even in the best summer weather. I'd save it for another time, and don't do it solo.
I have spent a lot of time in the Alabama Hills, and there are lots of nooks and crannies that are worth looking into. You could also do a loop of Moffat Ranch Road (just north of Lone Pine) back to Movie Road. Nice views of the Sierra, there. You could also drive along sections of the Tinemaha Road that goes north toward Big Pine. Harley was out that way recently, so maybe he can fill you in a little better.
Also, don't forget to poke around the Owens River watercourse.
--P
Also check out Olivas Ranch rd. As you are heading up Whitney Portal rd you will take a left on to Olivas Ranch rd. Take this dirt rd to about ¾ of a mile near the end. I shot my favorite Alabama Hills photo from this area.
Check out the webcams
on this site to see the snow, or lack of it on Mt Whitney. I think it’s a great way to check conditions from anywhere you have internet access.
Peter, another road to check out is Horseshoe Meadow Road. It's a left turn off of the Whitney Portal road. There are other roads off of Horseshoe Meadow that are interesting to explore.
--P
Tuttle Creek CG is OK, but since it's pretty open, the wind could be an annoyance. There are lots of little crannies in the Alabama Hills where you can camp for free--no amenities, of course--but you can find a spot that's more sheltered. It's BLM land, so as long as you maintain a low profile, the rangers won't bug you. I've camped all over that country, and have never had a problem.
I love that country--it's been a while since I was last there--I miss it. Have a great time!
--P
Inyo National Forest
351 Pacu Lane
Suite 200
Bishop, CA 93514
760-873-2400
If I were contemplating a trip to the East Side in early April, I'd opt for the south end of the range, i.e. Lone Pine/Alabama Hills and close-in points. You'll likely have better weather and spring will going nicely.
--P