Sierra Nevada

Sierra Nevada Yosemite

Cathedral Peak and Upper Cathedral Lake at Sunset, Yosemite National Park

Cathedral Peak rising above Upper Cathedral Lake is one of the most beautiful views in all of Yosemite National Park. From the trailhead to the point on the promontory above Upper Cathedral Lake where I shot this photo is about a 9 mile round trip hike. I made it most…

Phil CollaMay 9, 2021

California Sierra Nevada Trees

Fall Colors in Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada, 2020

As I try to do each autumn, I recently returned to some of my favorite spots in the Bishop Creek watershed to enjoy autumn's brief show. Inyo National Forest has been closed lately due to major fires throughout California including the nearby Creek Fire, but opened a week ago in…

Phil CollaOctober 12, 2020

California Sierra Nevada

Hiking to Conness Lakes in the Hoover Wilderness, Inyo National Forest

Conness Lakes is one of my favorite hikes in the Sierra Nevada. Within just a few miles of the trailhead I can be standing in a granite cirque surrounded by 12,000-foot peaks with several beautiful glacier-fed lakes within easy reach. Alone. I try to return every few years, and managed…

Phil CollaAugust 18, 2020

California Sierra Nevada Trees

Piper’s Biennial Eastern Sierra Fall Color Hiking Trip

9/29/2019 Piper and I made a quick fall-color trip along the Highway 395, visiting a few of our favorite hiking spots. A cold front that came through Saturday afternoon put a damper on hiking Little Lakes Valley with hail, ice, temps in the low 20s and high winds, but the…

Phil CollaOctober 1, 2019

California National Parks Sierra Nevada Yosemite

Yosemite Valley in Spring, May 2018

I try to get into Yosemite Valley each Spring, usually in May since that is when Yosemite's waterfalls are at their most impressive. This year I spent a couple days photographing and hiking in early May. The dogwood bloom was peaking and, while I am not a wildflower photographer, I…

Phil CollaJune 24, 2018

Sierra Nevada Yosemite

Dusk on Vogelsang Peak, Yosemite National Park, California

The last time I stayed at Vogelsang High Sierra Camp, my dad and I took the Rafferty Canyon trail and arrived about 3pm. For some reason I still had some energy so I took off and tried for the summit of Vogelsang Peak, arriving just shortly before sunset. The view…

Phil CollaJune 24, 2014

Sierra Nevada Yosemite

Townsley Lake and Cathedral Range at Sunrise, Yosemite National Park

One of my favorite lakes in the Sierra Nevada is Townsley Lake, located a bit above and not far from the Vogelsang High Sierra Camp in Yosemite National Park. Every time I stay at Vogelsang I make sure to spend at least one sunrise at Townsley, where I have always…

Phil CollaJune 23, 2014

Sierra Nevada Yosemite

Lembert Dome Sunset, Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park

Nice pastel light hits the clouds and lights up Lembert Dome rising above Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park, California. An easy hike takes one to the top of Lembert Dome for expansive views of Tuolumne Meadows and the high Sierra Nevada around the eastern side of Yosemite National Park.…

Phil CollaJune 22, 2014

Astrophotography and Night Scapes Sierra Nevada

Milky Way over Sky Rock Petroglyph, Volcanic Tablelands, Bishop, California

Milky Way over Sky Rock Petroglyph, Volcanic Tablelands, Bishop, California. I made this image several years ago but neglected to share any images from that evening's photographic efforts on my blog. I have made many visits to the Volcanic Tablelands, at all times of day, to explore the rocks, admire…

Phil CollaFebruary 27, 2014

California Sierra Nevada Yosemite

A Return to Vogelsang High Sierra Camp

Photos of Vogelsang High Sierra Camp in Yosemite National Park Last month I made a brief return trip to Vogelsang High Sierra Camp, following my first visit in 2009. This time my father joined me, and we had a chance to spend a few days together in some of the…

Phil CollaSeptember 7, 2010

California National Parks Sierra Nevada Yosemite

Vogelsang High Sierra Camp, Yosemite National Park

Photos of Vogelsang High Sierra Camp in Yosemite National Park Note: I made a return trip to Vogelsang High Sierra Camp with my father in August 2010. I made another banzai speed run up to the Eastern Sierra last weekend, this time to spend two nights at reknowned Vogelsang High…

Phil CollaJuly 23, 2009

California Sierra Nevada Trees

Fall Comes to the Eastern Sierra

For a few years I have been interested in witnessing the famous fall colors of the Eastern Sierra, but never had the time to drive up Highway 395 and take a look. I finally managed to squeeze 36 hours out of my schedule recently and get up to Bishop, and…

Phil CollaSeptember 30, 2006

California Landscape National Parks Sierra Nevada Yosemite

Photo of Tenaya Lake, Yosemite National Park

Tenaya Lake lies in the high country of Yosemite National Park, surrounded by enormous granite domes and coniferous forests. Tenaya Lake is surrounded by epic granite domes, with Polly Dome on the left. Late afternoon, viewed from Olmsted Point. Image ID: 09955 Location: Tenaya Lake, Yosemite National Park, California, USA…

Phil CollaSeptember 19, 2005

California Landscape National Parks Sierra Nevada Yosemite

Photo of Mammoth Peak, Yosemite National Park

Mammoth Peak rises above Tioga Lake and Tuolumne Meadows in the high country of Yosemite National Park. Mammoth Peak and alpine meadows in the High Sierra are reflected in Tioga Lake at sunrise. This spectacular location is just a short walk from the Tioga Pass road. Near Tuolumne Meadows and…

Phil CollaSeptember 18, 2005

California Landscape National Parks Sierra Nevada Yosemite

Photo of Lembert Dome, Yosemite National Park

Lembert Dome rises above Tuolumne Meadows in the high country of Yosemite National Park. The hike to the summit of Lembert Dome is easy and leads through a forest of trees before emerging on the backside of the dome, and offers expansive view of the entire Tuolumne Meadows from the…

Phil CollaSeptember 17, 2005

California Landscape National Parks Sierra Nevada Yosemite

Photos of Yosemite Falls in Spring

Falling 2425 feet (730m) in three sections, Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in North America and the fifth tallest in the world. During winter, a cone of frozen mist forms at the base of Lower Yosemite Falls. A strenuous hike takes visitors from the valley floor to the precipice…

Phil CollaMay 26, 2005

Landscape National Parks Sierra Nevada Yosemite

Photo of Vernal Falls, Yosemite National Park

Spring is the time to visit Vernal Falls and the famous Mist Trail in Yosemite National Park. Vernal Falls is at peak flow in late May and June, the weather is usually pleasant and the dogwoods are in bloom on the valley floor. We try to make a springtime visit…

Phil CollaMay 23, 2005

Cathedral Peak and Upper Cathedral Lake at Sunset, Yosemite National Park

Fall Colors in Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada, 2020

Hiking to Conness Lakes in the Hoover Wilderness, Inyo National Forest

Piper’s Biennial Eastern Sierra Fall Color Hiking Trip

Yosemite Valley in Spring, May 2018

Dusk on Vogelsang Peak, Yosemite National Park, California

Townsley Lake and Cathedral Range at Sunrise, Yosemite National Park

Lembert Dome Sunset, Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park

Milky Way over Sky Rock Petroglyph, Volcanic Tablelands, Bishop, California

A Return to Vogelsang High Sierra Camp

Vogelsang High Sierra Camp, Yosemite National Park

Fall Comes to the Eastern Sierra

Photo of Tenaya Lake, Yosemite National Park

Photo of Mammoth Peak, Yosemite National Park

Photo of Lembert Dome, Yosemite National Park

Photos of Yosemite Falls in Spring

Photo of Vernal Falls, Yosemite National Park

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