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 7:00am and, sunset is at about 6:45pm.

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.

There is good, timely, information on the Internet on 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 details below):

Stops along the way Between Yosemite & Bay Area	The detailed trip plan 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.
Glacier Peak	Sunset & Golden Hour on Oct 1. Sunrise & Golden Hour on Oct 2. This is a spectacular overlook of Yosemite Valley, that Northern Californian visitors frequently miss. I plan to do both sunset and sunrise. It's your choice to do one, both or neither.
Yosemite Valley and Tioga Road Oct 2 and Oct 5	There are many great spots for photography along the way from Glacier Peak 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. The plan is to go to Bodie for Golden Hour, Sunset, and Blue hour on Oct 3. I'm working to getting rangers to allow us to stay after regular park hours. A great opportunity for those wanting to bring their own lighting for special effects.
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 Oakhurst	Holiday Inn Express & Suites- Oakhurst Google Maps $170 with no cost cancelation (up to 2 days before booked arrival)	Hotel Web site
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

Yosemite NP Highlights 

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

GOING TO OAKHURST FROM PALO ALTO

Place	Weblink & Google Maps	Comments

Stops between Bay Area and Yosemite

The dedicated drive time between the Bay Area and our first hotel (Holiday Inn Express in Oakhurst), is between 3 1/2 and 4 hours.  The drive time for our Eastern Sierra Hotel ( The Village Lodge Mammoth) and the Bay Area is about 5 1/2 to 6 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 OAKHURST FROM PALO ALTO

Place	Weblink & Google Maps	Comments
Mission San Juan Bautista	Google Maps Mission San Juan Bautista	If going on Hwy 152 to Yosemite, this stop adds about 20 minutes to the drive time.  It is also about 1 hour from Palo Alto. Many interesting spots for photography, don't forget the historic cemetery in the Back of the mission. The place looks very different than what we see in the Bay Area. The town has an old western feel to it.  Make sure you set a time limit on how long you visit, it's too easy to visit longer than you should for a road trip stop.
Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County	Google Maps Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County	This private museum is open Friday, Saturday & Sunday and is about a 2 1/2 hour non-stop drive from Palo Alto.  The museum is very close to the Hwy 152 route to Yosemite, so it adds little time to the drive.  Has picnic tables outside but no restaurant immediately near the museum.  For Food and Fuel, you will pass through the town of Chowchilla before arriving at museum (if going west to east), with many food & fuel options
Castle Air Museum	5050 Santa Fe Dr, Atwater, CA 95301 https://castleairmuseum.org/	This museum originally was a branch of the United States Air Force Museum system, it is now private. It is about 3 hours from Palo Alto,  Open daily 9 am to 4 pm.  It's hard to believe they have such an amazing collection of military and civilian aircraft.  Aircraft includes SR-71, B-17, B-29, B-52, MIG-21, F-14.  Link to the Collection

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.