Postcards From The Eastern Sierras
I’ve been away on a road trip with my sister the last 3 days, enjoying (and attempting to photograph) some gorgeous fall scenery in the Eastern Sierras.
My photography skills don’t do these landscapes justice, but hopefully give you some idea of just how spectacular this part of the world is.
Above, that golden light among the aspens is just magical! Below, we stopped at an overlook above Mono Lake.
I tried to get one of those Panoramic shots with my iPhone but couldn’t get it to work.
While I was taking pictures of the lake, my sister took a few shots of me.
That little packable down jacket has become favorite for travel. It’s light, warm, and comfortable in a range of temperatures. Sis and I were fascinated by the collection of stickers on that railing.
We’d hoped to catch “peak foliage” this time. (Two years ago we’d missed it by a few days, arriving immediately after a wind storm had stripped most of the leaves.) This time, we caught the tail end of it at lower elevations (6000-7200 ft); higher up the leaves had already dropped.
Around every corner, another breathtaking vista.
These wax currant berries are a favorite of local wildlife, and pretty too.
Our last photo stop was Convict Lake. It’s a beautiful spot, and has a wheelchair-accessible path along a good part of the shore. (And even a wheelchair-accessible fishing dock!)
Thanks to my new zoom lens, I was able to catch a nice shot of this group of mule-tail deer near the road.
We stayed at the beautifully situated Double Eagle Resort & Spa in June Lake again. The grounds are quite lovely, and the cabins cozy and comfortable.
We’re on our way home today. I’ve really enjoyed this little mini-vacation and being able to spend some time with my sister!
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Susan, your photographs are stunning! I love that part of the world!
I spent so much of my youth and middle age backpacking in the Sierras.
From Tuolumne Meadows and southward — through Devil’s Postpile, past all those lakes, over all those passes, and eventually down to Mt. Whitney — is some of the most gorgeous country on this planet. Thank you for recalling those wonderful memories for me.
In fact, your post seems more than a little magical, because yesterday morning while dropping off my car to be serviced at my local dealership I met a local (Missouri) game warden who had just returned from California where he had hiked much of that part of the Pacific Crest Trail. Needless to say, he was still gob-smacked by its beauty and was so happy to find someone familiar with those mountains with whom to share his joy.
It seems the Sierras are calling to me again. I’m listening. 🙂
Ann in Missouri
Yes, thanks for those – as a former California girl (now living in the UK) that was a treat to see.
Absolutely Stunning ! Thanks for sharing !
I think you did a great job with the photos! I would love to visit there especially now! I live in ski resort in Canada and we just got a first light snowfall!
Thanks for sharing your trip with all of us! The scenery is spectacular. Nothing like a little girls’ trip, especially with your sister!
We have an explosion of colors everywhere here in the Midwest too. Autumn is my favorite time of the year. Beautiful pictures! Thank you for sharing!
What gorgeous pictures. The ‘wax currant berries’ look like rose hips to me, but as an east coast girl, what do I know?
I thought the same thing, and the leaves look so much like rose leaves. But like you, deferring to a Californian’s knowledge
Beautiful country, thanks for sharing. ( though my brain did read that as Fall in the Eastern Shore, the Chesapeake Bay Area…. )
You don’t give yourself enough credit. ..your pics are fabulous. The colors bring back very special memories of childhood in Michigan. a treat to see early this morning. Thanks for sharing.
Judy in Az.
Beautiful pictures, Susan. Looks like you had a great time too! What size is your jacket? Since I’ve been following your blog, and purchased some of the clothing, I’ve noticed I wear one size larger than you. Was the arm length short enough for a petite?
Thanks!
Thanks Lisa! I find these down pieces run a size smaller. I’m wearing a medium here. The arm length is actually perfect for me.
Thanks!
I concur with Susan. I normally wear a small, but took a medium in this Uniqlo light-weight jacket. I LOVE mine (it’s navy)!
Inspiration for a sister road trip !!! The natural beauty is stunning in your pictures. Couldn’t help but notice that funky guardrail ! Love it . Your boots look great and comfy. Just enough heel. Are they available ?
Hi Janice, thanks. These boots are a few years old and no longer available, but here’s a very similar style (also water-resistant): http://shopstyle.it/l/TMBl
Thanks Susan.
BTW, I love your blog! Always thoughtful ,fun and informational.
I grew up backpacking that area. Living in Michigan is beautiful in the fall but I miss the mountains. Thanks for sharing!
I was just in the Eastern Sierra last weekend! Truly spectacular time of year.
OMG! I was just looking at the foliage guide for the eastern Sierra just last night! A couple of years ago my husband and I went to North Lake and the colors were gorgeous. We tried to go to Rock Creek but it was snowing heavily and we didn’t have chains. We just came back from a foliage cruise to Montreal. My husband said there was more color in the Sierras, but it was a fab trip anyway (stops in Boston, Newport, Bar Harbor).
What a gorgeous, gorgeous travel post! And it’s fun to see you outside of the usual urban context — looking every bit as stylish as ever. You’re really putting those photography lessons (and your new lens) to excellent use. Thank you!
I love that part of the world!
And Convict Lake! Do you remember my husband and I wound up going there with my family right after our wedding? So beautiful.
Your pictures bring all of it back. Well, except for the party pontoon boat we lamentable rented and then ran around. LOL!
Also it’s where Sandra Salin’s husband did his Star Trek movie!
aGROUND:).
Beautiful pictures! This was a treat for me as I live in Florida and can enjoy beautiful beach scenery every day but no drastic season change. Thanks for the vacation idea!! The fall colors were so lovely. I could almost smell it! It was fun seeing you in a completely different setting.
Wow, these are stunning nature shots! Fall is my favorite season anywhere. I’m in Barcelona today, the tail end of a two week trip. Funny, yesterday, I actually bought the same Uniqlo jacket you are wearing, except in navy blue. I love it! We don’t have Uniqlo in Texas yet. Glad to see you had some sister time, too.
Your photos were so enticing that I went online to check out the resort…there are quite a few bad reviews…pretty discouraging. Glad you and your sister had a good visit there.
Ah, I love that part of the world. Lee Vining is a neat little town, love Latte Da which has great smoothies, and the Mono Lake Committee store is great to browse in. So pretty this time of the year.
I can almost feel that crisp autumn air and hear the crunch of leaves and pebbles under foot through these beautiful photos. What a wonderful trip! It’s the kind of place where you lose yourself in the land and sky, isn’t it? Thanks for the photo replay.
I am heading home to Lake Tahoe next week (from Maryland) — can’t wait to get there!
The eastern Sierra is one of my favorite parts of California. A few years ago I had the opportunity to take a two-day bus tour of the L.A. Aqueduct; the route took us through Lone Pine, Mammoth, and — most movingly — the former Japanese-American internment camp at Manzanar, which is now a museum and National Park Service historical site. I’ve also kayaked amid the tufa towers on Mono Lake — stunning!
June Lake is lovely! It sounds like you stayed at a much better place than we did – my husband’s review of our place on TripAdvisor included the phrase, “Moths, MOTHS, MOTHS!!!” Plus I believe I saw a sign requesting that you close the screen door to keep out the bears.
Sounds like you stayed at a much better hotel than ours, of which my husband said, in his TripAdviser review, “Moths, MOTHS, MOTHS!!!” I think I also saw a sign that advised us to keep screen doors closed to keep out the bear.
Awesome postcards!
What a beautiful place and how thoughtful to have beauty – and fishing – spots accessible to people who use wheelchairs (and thus other disabled people).
Lovely fall foliage here, more red than in your photos, but no high mountains. Just the old range of mountains in eastern North America, and our so-called “mountain”, Mont-Royal. Beautiful sunny day today.
To be honest I had no idea what a wonderful photographer you were. I thought your talents were limited to clothing. Obviously not. Loved your photos and loved you showing what you wear traveling. I particularly liked that shot of Convict Lake with those rocks. When we lived up in Idaho it was a joy driving up north and taking photo of the changing leaves and lakes during Fall. Lisa mentioned that my husband shot up there. I’ll ask him. I don’t remember but I trust her great mind.Thanks for the detour.
Beautiful photos. Thank you for sharing.
Love, love the photos! You mentioned your zoom lens — would you recommend your camera? I like how compact it looks. Good for travel?
Your photos are stunning! Thanks for sharing your getaway with us!