Winter in the Eastern Sierras!

Winter in the Eastern Sierras – Lone Pine & Alabama Hills
Date: Saturday, January 31 – Sunday, February 1
Location: Lone Pine, CA
Focus: Landscape Photography, Sunsets/Sunrises, and Socializing
Skill Level: All levels welcome (Smartphones to Professional Gear)

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Overview
Join us for our inaugural group trip to the stunning Eastern Sierra! We will be basing ourselves in the historic town of Lone Pine, using it as a jumping-off point to explore the Alabama Hills—a landscape of rounded rocks and golden arches set against the dramatic, snow-capped backdrop of Mount Whitney.
This trip is about community and creativity. Whether you are shooting with the latest iPhone or a large-format film camera, you are welcome here. We will focus on capturing the "Winter Light" which is famous for being low, soft, and colorful this time of year. It will be cold! but come on be adventurous.

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Itinerary
Saturday: Arrival & Golden Hour

• 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM: [Bonus Early Bird Special]
• For those arriving extra extra early or staying the previous night, we invite you to join us for a coffee or quick bite before heading out to Manzanar. This optional sunrise outing provides a fantastic opportunity to photograph the Sierra Nevada with beautiful morning light and, typically, excellent snow coverage at this time of year. After the shoot, we’ll regroup in Lone Pine to begin the main day's activities.
• We will caravan from the McDonalds in Lone Pine to Manzanar National Park. The park is open for self-driving tours between sunrise and sunset but the Manzanar Visitor Center doesn’t open until 9:00 AM.
• Note: It will be freezing (literally). Wear gloves and warm layers!
• 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Meet & Greet at [Looney Bean Coffee or similar]
• Grab a coffee, introduce yourself, and get a quick briefing on the day's shoot.
• 2:30 PM: Check-in / Setup
• Check into your motel or setup your campsite, organize your gear, and prepare for the afternoon scout.
• 3:30 PM: Afternoon Scout – Movie Road
• We will caravan to the famous "Movie Road" in Alabama Hills. This is an easy dirt road accessible by most cars… But not all cars, it might be good to carpool with someone who has a larger, or all-terrain vehicle, especially for certain stretches of Movie Road. This can help reduce traffic and parking congestion at popular spots.
• Photo Op: Capture the leading line of the road drawing the eye straight to Mount Whitney.
• 4:45 PM: Sunset Shoot – Mobius Arch
• We will take the short, flat hike (0.6 miles round trip) to Mobius Arch.
• The Shot: Framing the glowing peaks of the Sierra Nevada through the natural rock arch. To get this shot it takes a small bit of a rock scramble, It is an easy rock scramble but still. There are plenty of other photographic opportunities in this area if this is not your thing.
• Tip: Sunset is at 5:17 PM. Bring a headlamp or flashlight for the walk back to the car!
• 7:00 PM: Group Dinner & Photo Share
• Location: The Pizza Factory (or similar group-friendly spot).
• Activity: After we eat, we’ll pull out our phones, cameras, laptops or tablets for a casual "table review." Show us your favorite shots I of the day! No pressure, just sharing what caught our eyes.

Sunday: Alpenglow & Departures

• 6:30 AM: Sunrise Shoot – Whitney Portal Road
• The Shots: "Alpenglow." We will set up at a spot along the road to watch the first light of the sun hit the very tip of Mount Whitney, turning it pink and purple.
• The Shots: “Valley Sunrise” another option is to travel up Whitney Portal Road and Shoot back toward the Owens dry lake bed where the sun will be rising over the Panamint Mountains and Telescope peak.
• Note: Again it will be freezing (no kidding). Wear gloves and warm layers!
• 8:30 AM: Breakfast & Debrief
• Location: Alabama Hills Café & Bakery.
• Famous for their massive breakfasts! We’ll warm up, eat, and discuss future trip ideas.
• 10:00 AM: Optional Side Trip
• For those not rushing home, we can take a drive up to the Lone Pine Film History Museum or explore the weird rock formations at "Nightmare Rock." Flexibility is the name of the game.
• 12:00 PM: Head Home

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Where to Stay:
Please book your own accommodation as soon as possible.
Option A: Historic Hotel (My personal recommendation)

• Dow Villa Motel: A favorite for hikers and photographers. It has historic charm and is right in the center of town.
• Rates: Approx. $100–$140/night.
• Website: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dow-villa-motel-lone-pine?osq=Hotels Their own isn’t up at the moment, but I highly suggest calling them directly for the best room rate.

Option B: More Mainstream

• Best Western Plus Frontier Motel I: it’s newer and has all the amenities that you would expect, it’s a Best Western.
• Rates: Approx. $100–$140/night.
• Website: https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotels-in-lone-pine/best-western-frontier-motel/propertyCode.05052.html

Option C: Camping [For the brave and adventurous]

• Tuttle Creek Campground (BLM): Located just outside of town. $10/night (cash), no hookups, but incredible views. First-come, first-served.
• Boulder Creek RV Resort: If you need full hookups or a glamping cabin.
• Note: Nights typically will be in the 20s or 30s (°F). If camping, bring 0-degree rated gear! And to be clear I am going to be staying at the Dow which has a 24 hour outdoor Jacuzzi where you can watch the clouds on the mountain by the moonlight or starlight . But I have camped here in the winter before and enjoyed it very much.

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What to Bring

1. Camera: DSLR, Mirrorless, Film or Smartphone (Yes, iPhones can take amazing landscape shots!).
2. Tripod: Highly recommended for low-light sunset/sunrise shots (even a small phone tripod helps).
3. Layers: Winter coats, gloves, and beanies are mandatory. Mornings are very cold.
4. Headlamp/Flashlight: For walking to and from sunrise/sunset spots.
5. Water/Snacks: Always good to have in the car.

RSVP:
Please let me know if you can make it so I can acquire an appropriate table or space for Meals!
Can’t wait to meet you all and capture some winter magic!