On Sept 25, a major change was made to the Trip's Plan.  The first hotel on Oct 1 will be in Bridgeport instead of Oakhurst (naturally the designated hotel on Oct 1 changed).  This is because Yosemite NP is at high risk of being closed on Oct 2, due to a Federal Government Budget shutdown.  If Yosemite is open on Oct 5, the field trip will go there on that day.


Go for 2, 3, 4 or 5 days, for a broad range of photography; members and guests socializing; on an active photography trip that's an exceptional value for money. I don't expect the majority to go for the full 5 days. 

To register for this trip, use this link PAGE TO REGISTER FOR TRIP and use the registration button near the end of this page, while you are logged into www.pacamera.com

The trip is during peak autumn change of color (as can best be forecasted), and for a range of locations, as the peak color day varies by location. The trip takes place when the moon's phase is full or near full.  Sunrise is at about 6:53am and, sunset is at about 6:37pm (times for Oct 3)

Socializing is a big part of the trip, bringing guests and spouses is encouraged and carpooling is encouraged.  There are multiple recommended photography destinations and times to choose, as well as the main plan.  Or find your own places to visit and photograph.
 
Use our official hotels, that makes it easier for us to get together at the beginning or end of the day. I strongly recommend booking hotels now, even if you are considering going on this trip but have not made the final decision. These hotels have reasonable no cost cancelation (but check cancelation terms when booking as terms may change), some hotels offer lower prices with no cancelation rights which is not recommended.  Booking now means you locked in a great price if prices go up.  If the prices go down, cancel your booking and re-book at the lower price.

Just before the trip starts and during the trip, there is good, real-time, information on the Internet discussing where the change of color conditions is best. Our plan will get updated to take advantage of this information during the trip.

Trip Highlights Include (see detailed plan further down this page ):

First Day Group Dinner. Oct 1 at 7:00pm	Chiles y Milagros 21 Hays St Bridgeport, CA 93517
Stops along the way Between Bridgeport & Bay Area	The detailed trip plan (see below in a table format) has worthwhile places to stop for photography, a place worth the visit, food, etc. while traveling between the Bay Area and Yosemite. This is so you don't need to drive for more than 90 minutes without a good break, and the drive is an enjoyable road trip.
Yosemite Valley and Tioga Road Oct 5	There are many great spots for photography along the way from Glacier Point to Mono Lake. Recommendations are given below.
Mono Lake	A distinctive lake, with Tufta towers of limestone formed in and near the lake give it an other world appearance. Sunset, Golden Hour and Blue hour on Oct 2.
Bodie	This is a famous western ghost town. If we run out of good Change of Color places to visit, or we had our fill of them and want something different this is a distinctive to visit.  The earlier plan for a sunset visit were dropped, as the Bodie Foundation didn't have a program that matched what was planned.
June Lake	This covers a wide area with very different landscapes. Many recommendations below
Mammoth Lakes Area	Including Devils Postpile National Monument, and Rainbow Falls.
The Following are places some or all of us will go to depending upon change of color conditions when we are there.
Silver Lake	Near June Lake, a yearly great spot for change of color and mountain range backgrounds
Lake Sabrina	and Sabrina Basin in Bishop area.
Hot Creek Geologic Site	Near June Lake
Laws Railroad Museum & Historic Site	Worth a stop if in Bishop Area near Hwy 395. Not for fall colors but outdoor old town, old railroad and late 1800 & early 1900 artifacts.

Lodging

Yosemite Valley lodging is sold out and pricey.  The plan is to spend the first night near the South Yosemite Entrance (Google Maps ) to make seeing Glacier Point at it's best times easier.  Our Eastern Sierra lodging takes advantage of a top ski resort property that heavily discounts in the off ski & summer seasons.  It's also central to the range of places we will go along Hwy 395.

Days	Official Hotel
Oct 1 in Bridgeport	Ruby Inn  333 Main St, Bridgeport, CA, 93517 https://rubyinnbridgeport.com/   Walker River Lodge 100 Main St, Bridgeport, CA, 93517 https://www.walkerriverlodge.com/   Silver Maple Inn 310 Main Street, Bridgeport, CA - 93517 https://www.silvermapleinn.com/	Can book direct on hotel website or on Expedia
Oct 2 to 5 Mammoth Lakes	The Village Lodge Mammoth Google Maps The Lodge has places where we can meet as a group. Prices were lower on Expedia (with an account) than booking directly - 3 nights for $753 Total including Tax & Fees for 1 BR Condo. $950 for a 2 BR Condo. Condos have kitchen, balcony & fireplace & free parking	Book on Expedia

Checklist of Things to Bring

1 - Passes to National & State Parks (if you have them)

2 - Layered clothing.  Since we will be at a wide range of altitudes, temperatures may get colder than you expect. Temperatures can be in the 30s at night.  Also, a rain jacket or slick

3 - Suitable footwear for trails with a good tread in case the ground is slippery

4 - Good Flashlight (your cell phone is a backup flashlight), as it may be critical after sunset photography in a remote area.

5 - Bring Circular Polarizer Filters (CPL) as there will be water with reflections and it can help make the sky and leaves look better

6 - One of the best times to bring your tripod

Time	Event	Comments
Oct 1	Depart Palo Alto to allow for time for enjoyable stops	Drive time to the Bridgeport is between 4.5 and 5.5 hours if one drove straight through without any breaks, refueling, meals or bio-breaks.    I am planning a 9:00am departure
Oct 1	needs update
Oct 1	needs update
Oct 1	Needs update
Oct 1 7:00pm	Chiles y Milagros 21 Hays St Bridgeport, CA 93517
Oct 2 5:00pm to 7:00pm	Golden Hour & Sunset at Mono Lake	Sunset is 6:37pm
Oct 2 8:00pm	Group Dinner Shelter Distilling 100 Canyon Blvd Unit 217 Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
Oct 3	Plan for day will be based on Change of Color Conditions
Oct 4	Plan for day will be based on Change of Color Conditions
Oct 5	Use the day to Tour Yosemite again and return to Bay Area using Hwy 140 (also known as Tioga Rd) going West

Yosemite NP Highlights 
We go through Yosemite on Oct 2 and Oct 5 so don't try to make all the following stops on Oct 2

The drive from our Oakhurst hotel to Village Lodge in Mammoth is 3 1/2 hours.  For the drive back home, the drive from Village Lodge in Mammoth to the Western Gate to Yosemite (Big Oak Flat Entrance Google Maps ) is 3 hours.  

Places are listed in order that you will drive by on Oct 2

Place	Weblink & Google Maps	Comments
Glacier Point	Glacier Point Parking	Excellent at or near sunrise.
Tunnel View	Tunnel View Parking	Great Overview of many Yosemite Valley Highlights.  Large Parking area
Valley View	Valley View Parking	Parking is limited, then you walk along the stream edge to find your spot among other photographers.
Bridalveil Falls	Parking at Trailhead	Unless there is recent heavy rain, the water fall will not have much water.
Yosemite Falls
Cook's Meadow
Olmstead Point	Parking
Tenya Lake	Parking & Picnic area	Other places to stop near Hwy 140

Stops between The Village Lodge Mammoth and Bay Area

The dedicated drive time between the Village Lodge and Palo Alto, is about 5 1/2 hours.  Do these drives as a pleasurable road trip. I recommend taking interesting stops along the way, and breaks for food & fuel that are good experiences, as well as being on the lookout for "Vista Point" signs along the highway to make the drives more pleasurable and to be alert when driving.  Below are some recommended places to stop that may be of interest for photography or taking a road trip.

GOING TO PALO ALTO FROMTHE VILLAGE LODGE MAMMOUTH

Place	Weblink & Google Maps	Comments
Mono Lake		See section on Mono Lake
Yosemite NP		Many great spots to choose from, see section on Yosemite NP
Various Vista Points off of Hwy 120 past Yosemite Western Entrance	37 miles West of Yosemite Western Gate near Don Pedro Lake is especially good
Town of Oakdale for Food & Fuel		3 1/2 hours from The Village Lodge Mammoth.  Many good spots for food listed on Yelp.
Great Valley Museum and Planetarium	Google Maps Website	4 hours from The Village Lodge Mammoth.  Part of Modesto Junior College.  Some interesting exhibits, especially for those interested in natural history.  An place to walk around and stretch, do something different.
Larence Livermore National Laboratory Discovery Center	Discovery Center on Google Maps	Hours are noon to 4pm Monday to Friday (It's fee but must have Real ID driver's license or Passport to enter, as it is a Federal National Lab)
Downtown Livermore to get dinner before heading home.  About 1 hour from Palo Alto		Demitri's Taverna

To register for this trip, use this link PAGE TO REGISTER FOR TRIP and use the registration button near the end of this page, while you are logged into www.pacamera.com

Going for 2, 3 or 4 days

I expect the majority of those going, will not go the full 5 days.

If Wednesday isn't your first day, I suggest meeting up with the group in the Eastern Sierra portion of the trip; staying at the Village Lodge Mammoth and, driving though Yosemite Valley/Tioga Pass skipping Glacier Peak.

If you want to see Glacier Peak, do the Wednesday plan as your first day.