Friends & Fall Colors – Mammoth Lakes, CA
“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.”
John Muir
I was reaaallly hoping for just a tinge of fall colors, perhaps a few good hours of sun and a couple of hikes. After all, this trip was about getting together with friends, not photography….but you know how I am.
What we actually got was nature’s miracle in brilliant gold at the very PEAK of fall. A dusting of snow just a few days before (giving that picture-perfect peak of white), followed by some cycles of heat and near-freezing temps had caused all the Mammoth Lakes Aspens to shed their green chlorophyll and break out in grand, fabulistic yellow.
OH…IT…WAS…AMAZING!!
But I’m getting ahead of myself. What happened in Mammoth Lakes was a reunion of beautiful memories. Four years ago (this week) I was completing a life-long dream of trekking in Nepal. The images of that time still linger in my mind, but the people created something even deeper and we became fast friends with the history of a fabulous common experience.
This was our mini-reunion with 5 of the originals (including our indomitable leader Leo, and his lovely wife Elaine -> all the way from Hong Kong no less) travelled to the house of my hiking buddy Lauren to re-cement our ties.
It was the gathering of a tribe and our self-nominated sirdar Lauren, together with vivacious wife Susan, had been scoping out sweeet hiking spots for almost 2 weeks. Add-in two more friends with Susan flying in from Vermont and Neil, who drove 8 hours overnight to join us, and we were an eager and happy bunch.
And we really couldn’t have picked a better location. Mammoth Lakes sits in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California, a land sculpted by volcanic activity and glacial movement. Gorgeous mountains of granite, ancient salt-lakes (Mono Lake), basalt columns (Devil’s Postpile), volcanic craters (Inyo Craters) and a slew of other natural splendors simply abound in this little gem of the world. This is also the setting for the John Muir Wilderness, the very landscape that inspired John Muir to spend his life working to preserve it.
But what made it even better was the fall. Once a year the mountain landscape transforms itself into a golden waterfall, with colors starting from the higher elevations and cascading down the mountains in grand snakes of yellow over just a few weeks.
Last year we experienced the fall colors in the Smoky Mountains, but I’d never seen the color-song of the Aspens in the west. What surprised me most was that it happened so fast (colors changed rapidly within just a few days) and, perhaps even weirder, there were so few people to see it! Most of the RV parks in the area were less than half full and most of the hiking trails all but empty. Compared to the barrage of folks we’d seen on the east coast the year before, this was a 5-star show with a 1-star audience. What a treat!!
Overall it was the best possible week-end I could have imagined. Stunning scenery, eye-popping colors and simply fabulous company. Turns out we may be coming back here in the RV (very soon in fact), but colors (and friends) will have faded away by then. In the meantime the memories are stored in more shots that I know what to do with (there were simply too many). As a tribute to good friends and gorgeous nature I give you just a few…
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0_O WOW! I really need to take leave and explore California. Unfortunately, it won’t be sooner. Nice places you showed us, and photography is top-notch.
Thanks! I had SOOOO much fun taking those shots. Some specatacular scenery in the Sierras.
Nina
You’ve posted a terrific record of our weekend together here in Mammoth Lakes, Nina. I went on the same trails as you did through McGee and Lundy Canyons but your eyes and camera capture images in such a wonderful way that somehow eludes more pedestrian-type photographers like me! Like your view looking toward the mackerl skies above the aspen forest. Thanks for those special images, and the vivid descriptions, that further expand what was already an unforgetable weekend of enjoying the beauty of nature along with the gift of rare friendships
Well a HUGE thanks to you Lauren. I thoroughly enjoyed our time together and your generousity in hosting us all at your house.
Nina
Simply fantastic … and to enjoy it with those with whom you’ve shared a terrific experience … and to have it all to yourselves without crowds … couldn’t ask for more.
It was, indeed, very special!
Nina
WOW — great pictures! You are truly a great photographer! I can’t wait until the days when I can see all that in person!
Thanks Marci! It’s easy when nature is so generous! Nina
While we saw different areas of the Eastern Sierra along US 395, we were close to where you were. But we didn’t see it in the glory of autumn. Your excellent pictures drew us back, at least in our minds. And you used the bright red jacket to full advantage! Thanks for the autumn tour, five star indeed.
I still LOVE your shot of Oh Ridge campground in the snow. Isn’t it great how this area changes?
Nina
Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful!
Simply stunning!!
My fav: Early morning sun touches the brush at Mono Lake
The Mono Lake shots were some of my favs. We got up reaal early to get them, but it was totally worth it.
Nina
It was so great to see everyone! Fantastic shots!
Fabulous to see ya too Neil! So happy you made the long drive to join us!
Nina
Beautiful photos of the aspen — especially the one looking up with the unusual clouds above! Really enjoyed them! thanks for sharing!! — Martha
Thanks Martha…that’s one of my favs too!
Nina
Beautiful photos. I learned how to ski at Mammoth, but never made it to the lakes…this is a good reminder for me, perhaps I will schedule that in on my way up to South Dakota next spring. Thanks!
The whole of 395 is a gorgeous drive and well worth the visit. Lots of summer hiking too!
Nina
Incredible photos , Nina. Perfect timing. Sooooo gorgeous!
We were INCREDIBLY lucky in the timing! Very happy I got to see it.
NIna
Those are fantastic pictures and I wish I had been there. At that same time, I was in UT enjoying their fall colors in and around Park City so that was fun.
Charlie, You were definitely with us in spirit. We talked and reminesced about you during the week-end.
Nina
ok – so seems you heard this a time or two – but had to add my own – wow – what great pics!!!! have been following you guys for a bit – great blog – thanks!
Thanks so much…always nice to hear it again 🙂
Nina
Gorgeous photos!!! Thank you.
Hi, I hope you guys don’t mind. Sorry if I didn’t ask prior publishing. I featured your blog to one of my post, and I used one of the picture here. I really love this post, and I annotated that this is my most favorite. I hope it’s not a problem. I link it to your blog. If you want me to retract it, I’ll delete it immediately.
Great Blog. Keep it up, and Stay Safe!
No problem. Thanks for asking and posting the link back to my blog!
Nina