Fall Photo Trip – Bishop, CA
I’ve decided to take U.S. Highway 395 a lot more seriously. It was, for quite some time, my quickest route from home to Tioga Pass Road, through Yosemite’s Eastern Gate and into the belly of some the best jumping off places for summer High Sierra hiking. Blasting up from Los Angeles through the Mohave Desert and then through the Owens Valley, I would often make time for a breakfast stop at the renowned Alabama Hills Café , in Lone Pine. There, I’d look curiously at the interesting motifs on the walls of iconic Alabama Hills rock formations, wondering . . . . but beyond that, I had a Yosemite destination in sight and was quickly back on the U.S. Highway 395 heading north shortly after my last bite.
Recently, the Thousand Oaks Photo Group organized a fall photography trip to Bishop, California and I was thrilled to participate. Located approximately 4 ½ hours north of Los Angeles, Bishop is touted as California’s “Outdoor Playground”. I get that. Wow. Backpacking, hiking, fishing, bouldering, rock climbing, mountain biking, snow sports and famous fall colors is just a start. Bishop truly has a lot to offer at any time of year.
For me, this was a departure as far as weekend trips go, hanging with a gang that got up early and stayed out late, carrying cameras and all manner of location patience. There was a photo itinerary set for each morning and evening, capturing the golden hours, with lots of wriggle room in between. I originally thought I’d drive my own car to have sufficient destination flexibility, but I was glad I decided to carpool. My car-mate introduced me to several new locations of interest and was prone to “let’s see what’s over here”, or “let me show you this” ~ that, and not having to drive back solo from photo locations after darkness had fallen was a big plus. Good call on that.
The photo group was spread out in several Bishop hotels, but I chose the Eastside Guest House and Bivy. Not wanting to lay down a huge chunk of cash on a hotel just for me, I stepped a bit out of the box on this one. Not realizing they had “Mini” private or “Family” rooms available for a bit more, I had Airbnb’ed a dorm style bunk room months in advance. Pays to do a bit more research, I guess, but the price was great, and I jumped on it. I was a bit worried, however, as a few days out from the trip, I reviewed the website again and realized that bunk rooms are not gender specific. Hmmm . . . I called with hopes of upgrading my reservation to something more private but everything was booked solid. I was, however, graciously offered to be placed in one of the “quieter” units currently occupied by a few female traveling nurses. Perfect.
Eastside Bunk House and Bivy is centrally located in Bishop just next door to the famous Erick Shat’s Bakery. Convenient. The office, set back from a Victorian house (later to be remodeled into additional private rooms) was easy to find and adjacent to a large, central gathering space, complete with fireplace, couches, tables, kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry. Open, airy and very hip. I especially loved the large garage style doors that would roll open in warmer weather conditions, presumably. Out the French doors, over a wooden walkway area, complete with outdoor seating and small pond, I was shown my room which featured three sets of neatly styled and stacked bunk beds with an attached shower bath. I was then given a key code for the unit door and another key for my under-bunk storage drawer. I took a bit of time to organize my “area” and then left to explore the premises!
Our first photo shoot was at North Lake, an iconic photo location just east of Bishop, off the CA-168. We mustered early and headed out in the predawn dark. I was happy despite the early hour and the promise of low temps. It felt like a true adventure, racing into the sunrise. I guess it’s an ages old photographer’s dilemma in cold weather ~ balancing the need to get “in situ” before first light without freezing your ass off. Closer to the lake, the road turned to gravel and became a bit precarious by city standards. The actual photo site at North Lake was just off the parking lot, easy to reach and required zero hiking. I couldn’t help but smile as I saw the string of photographers set up along the frozen shoreline getting ready for the early morning show. And yep, it was indeed cold! I was glad I’d stashed some of those “hand-warmers” into my gear. Obviously, that’s more of a hikers thing as I was the only one with those babies, Go Jen! ?
With early morning still settled in the canyons around us, we headed further up the CA-168 to Lake Sabrina. It was super gorgeous, we took some time there capturing golden Aspens reflected on aqua water . . . then retracted back down the CA-168 onto S. Lake Road, and up again, passing several campgrounds and familiar locations only previously scoped out on the internet like Bishops Creek Lodge and Parchers Resort. Further up on S. Lake Road, we found a profusion of color everywhere, lots of interesting contrast and no end to photo opportunities.
Chasing the light yet again the next morning, we exited CA-168 this time onto Buttermilk Road in total darkness. Once parked, we fanned out, some of us hiking a bit up to elevation while others chose to stay lower. Our wait was rewarded by a dawn that greeted us, golden, pink, majestic. A thousand percent worth getting up early for! Stunning and not near as cold as the previous morning. Thank you, baby Jesus!
Towards midday on our way up to the Bristlecone Pine Forest (more on that later), we made a lunch stop at Copper Top BBQ in Big Pine. Copper Top is a fantastic family owned barbeque featuring meats cooked in large copper smokers, eaten at casual outdoor tables, appropriate for their tagline “Food Makes Friends”. Presented with the usual choices of ribs, tri-tip, and chicken, I had trouble deciding and finally opted for a “Big Pine sampler”. Lots of food and everything was yummy! They’re closed Monday and Tuesday and will be moving from their current location sometime in mid-2020 to the northern end of town behind the mobile station. Be sure to check them out!
On departure day, after a Starbucks run, we made a quick stop at Mahogany Smoked Meats Country Store & Deli to pick up some jerky to bring home. In business since 1922, they had the premium smoked meats market down pat. Large display cabinets offered the largest assortment of jerky I had ever seen ~ beef, turkey, elk, buffalo, wild boar, all in different flavors and seasonings. Delicious. Definitely worth a revisit next time for a deli sandwich or perhaps to pick up some of their handcrafted smoked meats for a camping trip. One of those things in life that is worth paying a bit more for. Good quality products. Yum!
Cruising back down the U.S. Highway 395 heading home, we side tripped just north of Independence to visit the historic Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery. What a fabulous hidden gem! Built in 1917, the hatchery has played an important role in the preservation of the golden trout, the California state fish. Who knew? A special shout out to “Friends of the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery”, who saved the hatchery from closure in 1996 due to California Department of Fish and Game budgetary constraints and a massive restoration after a 2007 fire that led to a 2008 mudslide damaging much of the outer buildings and hatchery itself. Today, the main 1917 structure is an Interpretive Center and the surrounding “display pond” is an unexpected oasis. Check out the link above and then my photos below. Wow, things do change with time! And a better picnic spot I can’t imagine . . . Don’t miss this. Hopefully, you may find the Interpretive Center open on your visit, which we did not on our trip, but the grounds are usually open and are supremely lovely.
I have realized; it is during the times I am far outside my element that I experience myself the most – ― C. JoyBell C
Masterminding the Explore: (Some insights)
I got in a car committed to traveling over 850 miles with an individual I barely knew. Sometimes you just have to trust your gut. I listened to a lot of Beatles, a band I had long forgotten. The driving was excellent, cheap gas was a known entity as was every inch of the 395 and my car-mate was happy to share this knowledge. A really good experience. Take a chance and get out there!
Go to Bishop someday. For anything. Period.
I loved the Eastside Bivy and Bunkhouse and the felt the bunk room worked just fine, especially given I was solo, up and out by 6:00am and not back until after 9:00pm. Obviously the point and design of these hostel style accommodations. The rooms and premises where lovely and amenities well thought out and available. There were only a few compromises:
- The main gathering space did not open until 7:00am, so for early risers, morning coffee had to be grabbed elsewhere. Luckily there was a Starbucks a block away. The same applies to refrigerator access, you’ll have to wait till 7:00am to retrieve anything you want to take with you for the day.
- My roommates were faceless behind their bunks except for one and she was great, albeit, a bit of a character. Two uneventful nights and then a new arrival on Saturday thought she had the place to herself. Nothing major, but I did lay in my bunk spending a bit of time thinking “her mother never taught her” kind of thoughts . . .
- Call ahead and request a lower bunk. This made ALL THE DIFFERENCE! I would have struggled getting in and out of the upper bunk for nighttime bathroom breaks.
Awesome, affordable accommodations. The bunkhouse set up is not for everyone. You know yourself. If the shared room is not your style, check out the mini and family rooms. I’m really easy-going and can sleep just about anywhere for a night (more on that in “About Me”) in the pursuit of an explore. Others may suffer my snoring though . . . I was very comfortable and happy with my choice.
This trip really reiterated why it’s so important to take the time to get out of your comfort zone. Join a club, do something different, participate! I was a “picture-taker” amidst a group of serious photographers. Most times I felt silly, fumbling around with my camera, dropping stuff, and asking stupid questions. But no one treated me silly, or anything but welcome. I saw some fabulous scenery, checked a few locations off my bucket list, made some new friends, ate good food and discovered several U.S. 395 stops that I’m glad to know about.
I grew. I learned. I explored! Do it!
