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  • 112 Hope Valley Red

    Bee/Dave Henry

    The red colors in these trees were photographed above the Scott Road camp ground in Hope Valley. The winds are picking up today so make Hope Valley your destination this weekend. These rich colors won’t last past the upcoming weekend. This photo was made on October 16, 2012 with a Canon 5D MkIII camera using a Canon 24-105mm zoom set to 40mm. The exposure was 1/250 sec. at f/11 using ISO 1250 and a polarizing filter. For more information on lighting, exposure and filters, check our Tips and Techniques section. 112

  • 120 Burt Canyon

    Bee/Dave Henry

    This image from Burt Canyon shows that the color is perfect this week. This photo was made on October 16, 2012 with a Canon 5D MkIII camera using a Canon 24mm tilt-shift lens. The exposure was 1/125 sec. at f/13 using ISO 1250 and a polarizing filter. For more information on lighting, exposure and filters, check our Tips and Techniques section. 120

  • 119 Antelope Valley

    Bee/Dave Henry

    Antelope Valley on Hwy 395 between Topaz and Walker starting to turn color. The best color usually comes in the last week of October. This photo was made on October 16, 2012 with a Canon 5D MkIII camera using a Canon 24-105mm zoom set to 67mm. The exposure was 1/250 sec. at f/13 using ISO 1250 and a polarizing filter. For more information on lighting, exposure and filters, check our Tips and Techniques section. 119

  • 118 Topaz Lake

    Bee/Dave Henry

    The cottonwoods around the Topaz Lake area are turning. Water levels are low so will have to get creative with your compositions. This photo was made on October 16, 2012 with a Canon 5D MkIII camera using a Canon 24-105mm zoom set to 58mm. The exposure was 1/250 sec. at f/13 using ISO 1250 and a polarizing filter. For more information on lighting, exposure and filters, check our Tips and Techniques section. 118

  • 117 Monitor Pass

    Bee/Dave Henry

    The color is on the decline in the Monitor Pass area but is still worth the drive up. This photo was made on October 16, 2012 with a Canon 5D MkIII camera using a Canon 24-105mm zoom set to 105mm. The exposure was 1/350 sec. at f/13 using ISO 1250 and a polarizing filter. For more information on lighting, exposure and filters, check our Tips and Techniques section. 117

  • 115 East Fork Carson River

    Bee/Dave Henry

    I’m told that the fishing on the East Fork Carson River is very good. I do know that the color is turning very nicely and that this weekend will be a perfect time for a foliage drive from Sacramento. This photo was made on October 16, 2012 with a Canon 5D MkIII camera using a Canon 24-105mm zoom set to 40mm. The exposure was 1/180 sec. at f/13 using ISO 1250 and a polarizing filter. For more information on lighting, exposure and filters, check our Tips and Techniques section. 115

  • 114 Marleeville Color

    Bee/Dave Henry

    The color in the Markleeville area and on the East Fork Carson River is going to be very good this upcoming weekend. This photo was made on October 16, 2012 with a Canon 5D MkIII camera using a Canon 24-105mm zoom set to 45mm. The exposure was 1/180 sec. at f/13 using ISO 1250 and a polarizing filter. For more information on lighting, exposure and filters, check our Tips and Techniques section. 114

  • 111 Hope Valley Cabin

    Bee/Dave Henry

    Full colored trees surround our Motif No. 1 in Hope Valley. This background won’t last past this upcoming weekend so if you want a great weekend of shooting, make Hope Valley your destination. This photo was made on October 16, 2012 with a Canon 5D MkIII camera using a Canon 24-105mm zoom set to 73mm. The exposure was 1/250 sec. at f/13 using ISO 1250 and a polarizing filter. For more information on lighting, exposure and filters, check our Tips and Techniques section. 111

  • 110 Emigrant Meadow

    Bee/Dave Henry

    The emigrant meadow area of Hope Valley is in full color this week and should hold through the weekend if the winds don’t get any heavier. This photo was made on October 16, 2012 with a Canon 5D MkIII camera using a Canon 24-105mm zoom set to 50mm. The exposure was 1/250 sec. at f/13 using ISO 1250 and a polarizing filter. For more information on lighting, exposure and filters, check our Tips and Techniques section. 110

  • 109 North Hope Valley

    Bee/Dave Henry

    The northern part of Hope Valley from Hwy 89 from Luther Pass is completely green. There are very good areas of Hope Valley for color but half of the valley is still green. This photo was made on October 16, 2012. 109

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    Weekend getaway? Colorful fall leaves at their peak in Eastern Sierra

    By Dave Henry
    Special to Sacbee.com
    Published: Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012 - 8:01 pm
    Last Modified: Friday, Nov. 9, 2012 - 1:44 pm

    The fall leaf color in the Eastern Sierra is spectacular this weekend. More areas have turned to their peak autumn colors this last week than is normal.

    This is both good news and bad. The good news is that the areas with peak color are at their stunning best. But, the bad news is that the color is so perfect it probably won't last until the following weekend.

    Once the leaves have turned this intense, they usually remain on the tree for only three or four days.

    So if you've ever wanted to photograph fall foliage or just want a nice weekend away from the house, this is the weekend to go.

    The weather couldn't be better and prices for lodging are dropping because it's the end of the season.

    Best bets for color this weekend

    If you want a day trip from Sacramento, Hope Valley and nearby Markleeville still are the best bet for beautiful fall leaf color. The color will begin to trail off after this weekend but will still be good through the weekend of Oct. 27, unless weather intervenes.

    Conway Summit will have its peak this weekend. Visit now, as it will be in serious decline next weekend.

    Lundy Canyon is fully turned. The color is spectacular. This is your best weekend here.

    Tioga Canyon is in full color this weekend.

    The gorgeous June Lake Loop road is in full color this weekend and is a key stop on your itinerary.

    McGee Creek has good color but requires a one-mile hike to get to the best color.

    The lower parts of Bishop Creek will still make for great fall leaves photography, but don't plan on traveling past Aspendell/Cardinal Village or Mountain Glen on the South Lake Road. Farther up, the color is completely down because of high winds.

    Plan your trip: Use our interactive map to see leaf colors and ratings for 22 stops along the way.

    With the colors falling next week, our next weekly update will be the first week of November with a report from Yosemite. Look for it and more fall photos at www.sacbee.com/leaves

    Things to do

    Special activities in the Eastern Sierra have finished for the season. Locals here are getting ready for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

    If your trip involves a Friday or Saturday night, you will enjoy the enthusiasm of a high school football game. They will enjoy your support as they near the end of the season.

    The Coleville High School Wolves won at their away game at Virginia City last week and stunned the home team with a 46-43 victory. This week they are home playing Pyramid Lake from Nixon, NV. Stop by Jolly Kone in Bridgeport and help support the team with your purchase.

    The Bishop Broncos are away this week.

    The Whoa Nellie Deli at the Mobile station in Lee Vining will close for the season October 28. 2012. Get their famous fish tacos while you can.

    On the road

    Again this week, road construction is a hindrance as crews rush to complete their projects before the onset of winter. Last week's dusting of snow was a wakeup call.

    Highway 395 at Topaz Lake is cleared for now.

    Highway 395 north of Bridgeport has three 20-minute delays for construction, but the town now has a newly surfaced main street.

    Before leaving home, check the CalTrans website or toll-free phone number (800) 427-7623 for road conditions.

    Gas prices have not changed much in the last week.

    Topaz Lake Casino, which is three miles north of where Highways 89 and 395 meet, has gas for $4.39 per gallon. Gas along Highway 395 from Walker to Bishop averages $5.00 to $5.60 per gallon. Gas in Bishop at the Giggle Springs, Arco and Paiute Casino stations is in the $4.44 range.

    Weather

    The weekend weather forecast for the eastern Sierra is for perfect fall conditions: mostly sunny and, in some locations, warmer than normal temperatures. In Bishop, the high is predicted to be 81 on Saturday and 79 on Sunday, with lows about 40 degrees. Expect Lee Vining to be cooler, with highs Saturday and Sunday of 70 and 59, and lows in the high 20s.

    Still, this is the Sierra so be prepared for the weather to change in an instant.

    Get weather updates, see radar and satellite images at www.sacbee.com/weather

    Accommodations

    Try these websites for hotels and motels in the Eastern Sierra.

    Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau

    Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce

    Lee Vining Chamber of Commerce

    Photography tips

    Now's the time to brush up on your photographic skills. See our Tips and Techniques section, geared especially for fall leaves photographers.

    Have fun shooting or visiting the peak color locations in the Eastern Sierra this weekend. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at davehenryphotography@gmail.com.

    Related coverage

    Gallery: 2012 fall leaves photos

    Gallery: 2011 fall leaves photos

    Use our interactive map to see leaf colors and ratings for 22 stops along the way.

    Reader photos: See all the photos and share your own. Email fall@sacbee.com

    Tips and Techniques: How to take fall photos

    © Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

    • Read more articles by Dave Henry



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