Eastern Sierra Fall Color Photography Adventure
Septemner 24-27, 2026
Experience four days of spectacular landscapes, alpine lakes, golden aspens, ghost towns, winding rivers, and dramatic Eastern Sierra scenery as we chase peak fall color throughout the region. While this itinerary provides our planned locations, flexibility is essential. We will adjust destinations based on weather, light, and where the fall colors are at their best.
Whether you're photographing grand landscapes, intimate autumn scenes, reflections, wildlife, or night skies, the Eastern Sierra offers endless photographic opportunities.
Whether you're photographing grand landscapes, intimate autumn scenes, reflections, wildlife, or night skies, the Eastern Sierra offers endless photographic opportunities.
Trip Highlights
Safety First: Some photography locations require roadside parking. Please pull completely off the pavement, park safely, and remain aware of traffic at all times.
- Alabama Hills
- Owens River
- Lake Sabrina
- South Lake
- Aspendell
- Silver Lake
- June Lake Loop
- Reverse Creek
- Lundy Canyon
- Mono Lake
- Bodie Ghost Town (conditions permitting)
- Hot Creek Geological Site
- Possible Wild Horse Photography
Safety First: Some photography locations require roadside parking. Please pull completely off the pavement, park safely, and remain aware of traffic at all times.
Tentative Itinerary
Thursday • September 24
9:00 AM
Depart Los Angeles
12:00 PM
Group lunch at Alabama Hills Café in Lone Pine
1:00-3:00 PM
Photography at Alabama Hills
Afternoon
Drive to Bishop and check into the Vagabond Inn
5:00 PM
Meet in the hotel parking lot for departure to Owens River
5:30-7:30 PM (approx.)
Sunset photography along the Owens River
Dinner
Upper Crust Pizza, Bishop
Friday • September 25
6:00-7:00 AM
Breakfast at the hotel
Spend the day exploring the Bishop Creek Canyon area, including:
Dinner
Whiskey Creek Restaurant
Saturday • September 26
5:00 AM
Depart Bishop
Sunrise
Silver Lake (June Lake Loop)
Continue photographing:
Brunch at the famous Whoa Nellie Deli in Lee Vining.
Participants are encouraged to purchase sandwiches to pack for dinner during our evening shoot.
Afternoon OptionsDepending on conditions, we'll choose one or more of the following:
Mono Lake
Dinner in the field while photographing sunset.
Sunday • September 27
Sunrise
Hot Creek Geological Site
After sunrise photography, we'll explore additional nearby locations if conditions are favorable, including possible wild horse photography before beginning the drive home.
Thursday • September 24
9:00 AM
Depart Los Angeles
12:00 PM
Group lunch at Alabama Hills Café in Lone Pine
1:00-3:00 PM
Photography at Alabama Hills
Afternoon
Drive to Bishop and check into the Vagabond Inn
5:00 PM
Meet in the hotel parking lot for departure to Owens River
5:30-7:30 PM (approx.)
Sunset photography along the Owens River
Dinner
Upper Crust Pizza, Bishop
Friday • September 25
6:00-7:00 AM
Breakfast at the hotel
Spend the day exploring the Bishop Creek Canyon area, including:
- Lake Sabrina
- North Lake (time permitting)
- Aspendell
- Bishop Creek
- South Lake
Dinner
Whiskey Creek Restaurant
Saturday • September 26
5:00 AM
Depart Bishop
Sunrise
Silver Lake (June Lake Loop)
Continue photographing:
- June Lake Loop
- Reverse Creek
- Aspen groves
Brunch at the famous Whoa Nellie Deli in Lee Vining.
Participants are encouraged to purchase sandwiches to pack for dinner during our evening shoot.
Afternoon OptionsDepending on conditions, we'll choose one or more of the following:
- Lundy Canyon and Beaver Ponds
- Bodie Ghost Town
- Wild Horse photography
- Additional fall color locations
Mono Lake
Dinner in the field while photographing sunset.
Sunday • September 27
Sunrise
Hot Creek Geological Site
After sunrise photography, we'll explore additional nearby locations if conditions are favorable, including possible wild horse photography before beginning the drive home.
Lodging
Vagabond Inn Bishop
1030 N. Main Street Bishop, CA
A block of 10 rooms has been reserved for our group.
Dates: September 24-27
Rate: $130 per night
Rooms are available with either one bed or two beds for those sharing accommodations.
To reserve your room:
Call: (760) 873-6351
Ask for the Lloyd Delaney Group room block.
Reservations are limited and should be made as soon as possible.
Vagabond Inn Bishop
1030 N. Main Street Bishop, CA
A block of 10 rooms has been reserved for our group.
Dates: September 24-27
Rate: $130 per night
Rooms are available with either one bed or two beds for those sharing accommodations.
To reserve your room:
Call: (760) 873-6351
Ask for the Lloyd Delaney Group room block.
Reservations are limited and should be made as soon as possible.
Difficulty
Most locations involve short walks from parking areas, with optional longer walks for those interested. Participants should be comfortable standing and walking on uneven terrain.
Most locations involve short walks from parking areas, with optional longer walks for those interested. Participants should be comfortable standing and walking on uneven terrain.
What to Bring
- Camera body (or bodies)
- Wide-angle and telephoto lenses
- Tripod
- Polarizing and ND filters (optional)
- Extra batteries and memory cards
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Layers for cold mornings and warm afternoons
- Hiking shoes
- Water and snacks
- Small daypack
- Lunch or snacks for field days
- Comfortable camp chair (optional for sunset locations)
Roadside Safety
Many of our photography locations require parking along scenic highways or narrow mountain roads. Please use caution at all times.
Many of our photography locations require parking along scenic highways or narrow mountain roads. Please use caution at all times.
- Pull your vehicle completely off the roadway whenever possible.
- Never block traffic lanes or bike lanes.
- Park only where it is safe and legal to do so.
- Watch carefully for passing vehicles before exiting your car.
- Stay aware of traffic when setting up tripods or crossing the road.
- Use hazard flashers if conditions warrant.
- If a location appears unsafe, we will move to an alternate shooting spot.
Important Notes
- This itinerary is subject to change based on weather, road conditions, fall color, and lighting.
- Carpooling is encouraged whenever possible.
- Exact meeting times may be adjusted throughout the trip.
- Sunrise departures are early, but the photographic rewards are well worth losing a little sleep. Nature has an inconvenient habit of putting the best light before most people have located the coffee.
