Owens Valley Workshop/Gathering October 2023!

[Vaughn]

Caught a good band playing outside there once...

The cafe in town is okay -- I stopped going there when they wanted to charge for a second cup of tea...

 

[DREW WILEY]

Nicely's was the only game in town for decades. Decent stick to the ribs food for cold weather; and a popular breakfast hangout for the locals. But I never did drop the $30 for a genuine elk or buffalo burger at Nellie Deli. This time around the expensive options were Mahi Mahi and Swordfish burgers. I settled for basic super lean 1/2 lb Angus, with fries as good as those of Eskimo Candy in Maui.

 

[Richard Man]

Best food on the east side - Whoa Nellie Deli inside the big Mobil Station at the foot of the Tioga grade just before it joins 395 in Lee Vining. Expect long lines unless you time it right. A basic half-pound burger is around $20 and worth every penny.

I read people raving about this place. Haven't made it there yet. Do they have other stuff besides burgers? Not a big beef person

 

[Tom Taylor]

"The wild card at the moment is whether a Govt shutdown will happen or not. If so, both Yosemite and the Bristlecones, and any official NF campgrounds too, will have locked gates."

Actually that's the best time to go - they're free then! I usually take long road trips during the winter when they campgrounds are closed. Pick your site and shovel it out and you're set for the night.
The last time I was at the Mobile station, just before the Pandemic, the owner told me that they were selling. I suspect there is a new ownership in place by now and probably just as expensive if not more.

 

[DREW WILEY]

The gates get locked, Tom. You could hypothetically walk a long distance into the Bristlecones, or into Yosemite from some trailhead in violation of the permit system, but you sure as heck wouldn't be able to drive into either. Only un-gated NP holdings like Pt Reyes remained opened the last round. I never camp in official campgrounds anyway. There are plenty of options for car camping on the east side, especially if you have 4WD, without the annoying boom boxes and campfire smoke. But quite a few of even the official ones remain closed due to all the flashflood damage in previous months; and plenty of side roads remain closed. They is a tremendous amount of repair work going on trying to beat winter snows.

 

[Vaughn]

...Only un-gated NP holdings like Pt Reyes remained opened the last round. ...

The Redwood National and State Parks would still be largely accessible. The only Redwood Parks camping facilities are State owned and operated. A wintertime closure of the Tall Trees TH (behind a locked gate) would not affect me, although I have spring hopes for a hike up the creek. Some of the National Parks could use the rest...but this is not a preferred way.

 

[DREW WILEY]

It wasn't that long ago when hordes of hikers took advantage of short-staffing in SEKI due to the pandemic to illegally flash-mob Rae Lakes and make a big party mess there. Not only are those high altitude environments sensitive to too much human impact, but doing so right when major forest fires were breaking out severely taxed the remaining rescue crews. Over 500 people were on the search list at one time. I'm not aware of any that actually died; but there were cases of serious smoke inhalation requiring hospitalization, and also some burn victims. And yes, search and rescue folks had to risk their own lives. Even flying helicopters in those conditions was very dangerous.

UC research crews have the keys to the Bristlecone gates, and even past the 11,500 foot gate clear to the 14,200 ft summit. But someone might figure out how to get into Bristlecones via one of the secondary Jeep roads. The main one of those is officially closed at the moment due to storm damage; and who knows about the others? There is only one Ranger assigned to safety patrol in that entire giant preserve; and it would be a heck of a place to get stuck. Very little water around, getting very cold at night, and darn few people any significant distance from the main ridgeline road.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Hey Everyone, I hope this finds you and your families doing well…

I unfortunately have been having unforeseen medical issues that can't wait to be dealt with!!! So I am going to cancel this year’s gathering but it does not mean others that have made plans and are able to still go even if it is just a few people! I’m sure it will be a great time to photograph the Eastern Sierras! Just keep an eye on the weather and enjoy yourselves for those of you who will still attend….

If any one goes please share with me some photographs if you’re able to!

I will be there in spirit! The next one a round of drinks are on me!!! Any questions please free to contact me via email or cell phone!

Take care and stay healthy,

Ted

Ted,

I am sorry that you are not up to the trip this year. Recover quickly as possible, please. I had posted earlier that the trip started the day after I returned from Europe. Next year should work out better for everyone.

Steve

 

[Rob Skeoch]

So what's the plan? Did anything resembling a 'gathering' take place.
I'm from Canada, so the places that many American's photograph every day and are bored with, are still interesting to me.
I'm thinking of a road trip in April to Yosemite, through Utah, and hit a few other key areas.... maybe the badlands.
Don't have anything booked, but thinking about it. Late April is the target date.
Thoughts??

 

[Sirius Glass]

This idea has been dead for almost a year since I last posted. It does not appear that there is any interest in the event. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[btaylor]

Is the idea dead? Or this particular trip? We will never know because the organizer had to bow out at the last minute.
Anyway, October is a wonderful time of year to visit the Eastern Sierras. I may head up there to do my own photo trip. Anyone else interested in something loosely organized?
Wasn’t there an annual trip organized by a retired Art Center prof in years past? I never had an opportunity to go and then he passed away.