Heading up the Sierra Nevada Mountians, Lone Pine to Mammoth Lakes - The Onion Valley and Other Sites

After the intense heat my drive North along the East side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains was a welcome change. As the altitude rose, the temperatures dropped accordingly. When I drove up the Onion Valley from Lone Pine, CA, the temperature dropped from 78 degrees to 58 degrees. Of course I was at 10,000 ft. Each time I jumped out to take a photo, I thought I was going to pass out from the lack of oxygen in the air.

This area was a big change from the desert with the streams full of cool clear water rushing down from the snow packed peaks. The views were stunning, absolutely stunning. I drove until I got to Mammoth Lakes and found a motel.

One point of interest, when I passed through Bishop California, I drove by Galen Rowell's gallery. If you don't know who he is, then you are missing one of the great nature photographers of our time. Sadly he and his wife passed away in a plane crash. A great loss for us all.