Sunrise, Greenstone Lake, Mono County, California

Camera info: Mamiya 645 AFD II, Ultra-Wide-Angle 28mm f/4.5 Sekor D Aspherical Auto Focus, 2.5 sec @ ISO 100

This is one of the spectacular sunrise spots in the Sierra Nevada high country. In this image, majestic North Peak is reflecting in Greenstone Lake at sunrise, Hoover Wilderness in the High Sierra – just east of Yosemite National Park.

To reach Greenstone Lake from Yosemite National Park, follow Highway 120 over Tioga Pass. Just a little more than two miles east of the entrance gate you reach the turnoff to Saddlebag Lake, a popular fishing destination. The 2.4 miles road to Saddlebag Lake is paved in portions and gravel in other parts. Approaching from the east, take Highway 395 just south of Lee Vining, turn west on Highway 120 and drive about 10 miles to the Saddlebag Lake turnoff.

Saddlebag Lake Resort offers for about $11, a round-trip water taxi ride to the opposite end of the lake. From where the water taxi drops you off at the upper end of Saddlebag Lake, a short hike leads to Greenstone Lake. As an alternative, one can avoid water taxi and hike around following the shore of sprawling Saddlebag Lake, en route to one of more than one dozen alpine lakes spread out across the headwaters basins of Lee Vining and Mill creeks.

Last summer I went on 3 days Waterwheel Photography Backpacking trip in Tuolumne High Country of Yosemite National Park. The trip was arranged by Yosemite Association,  “a nonprofit membership organization that provides opportunities for people to learn about, enjoy and experience Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevada”.

 This 18.6  miles roundtrip moderate hike starts from Soda Springs (around 8000 ft elevation) and virtually all downhill. We followed wild scenic Tuolumne River as it drops to Glen Aulin, about 800 feet elevation loss. This is one of the easiest section of High Sierra Camps Loop trail. It is also a section of the Pacific Crest and Tahoe-Yosemite trails. The highlights of the hike are scenic pools, rapids, cascades, Tuolumne River bridge, Tuolumne Fall  and White Cascade. As Tuolumne River had maximum runoff during last week of June, it was worth descending another 3.3 miles from Glen Aulin to Waterwheel Falls (elevation gain and loss of about 2500 feet), which was most dramatic during that time of the year.  In between Glen Aulin and Waterwheel Falls, you will see spectacular California Fall and LeConte Fall.

 This photo was taken besides High Sierra Camp in Glen Aulin during twilight hours. Due to the time of maximum runoff of Tuolumne River,  every moment I was realizing the power of nature, as waterfall was sending cascades of spray onto the rocks below.  However, instead of capturing the power of nature, at that moment I wanted to create an image of silky smooth flow of the water to match the relaxing evening mood.

 Technical details: Mamiya 645 AFD II with 75-150 f/4.5 lens, 0.6 sec @ f/8, Phase One P45+ digital back @ ISO 400.

 You are most welcomed  to visit my Online Gallery  to see many more images from this trip.