Category Archives: national park

Kelso Dunes, Kelso Depot – Mojave National Preserve

2010/01/12 – 06:20

Pure randomness determined the name of Kelso and the giant dune field southwest of town. Randomness also seems to govern the dune field and much of the desert around it, as patterns emerge from the sand and weather determines if you will have a good day in the field or not.

Amidst one of the least hospitable and least visited places in California, the Mojave National Preserve, Kelso Dunes and Kelso Depot are the most prominent and most visited feature. Unlike most other large dune fields, no ATVs tear up the beautiful landscape.
Kelso Dunes sunset

By myphotoscout | Also posted in desert, hike, Mojave, National Preserve, Seasonal, Southern California | Tagged , , , | Comments (5)

Hetch Hetchy – Wapama Falls Hike

2009/11/24 – 16:38

Discover Yosemite’s best-kept secret, Hetch Hetchy Valley.
John Muir once described Hetch Hetchy as “a wonderfully exact counterpart” of Yosemite Valley. It is a funny twist of nature to create a valley this close to Yosemite Valley that looks so much alike. Today the infamous O’Shaughnessy Dam blocks the flow of the Tuolumne River, flooding the entire valley with 300 feet of water. The San Francisco Bay Area needs the dam to satisfy its insatiable hunger for power and water. A lot of controversy surrounds the dam and the accompanied destruction of a pristine valley within the borders of Yosemite National Park.
Hetch Hetchy Moonrise

By myphotoscout | Also posted in hike, lake, National Forest, Northern California, Seasonal, Sierra Nevada, waterfall, yosemite | Tagged , | Comments (3)

How to photograph Kings Canyon Scenic Byway

2009/11/17 – 17:55

Kings Canyon Scenic Byway (Highway 180) presents easy access to some of the wildest and most spectacular terrain in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Gushing waterfalls, lush meadows and a road clinging to the side of a rock face make this a one of a kind drive.
Kings Canyon Roaring River Falls

By myphotoscout | Also posted in hike, Kings Canyon, National Forest, Northern California, scenic drive, sequoia, Sierra Nevada, waterfall | Tagged , , | Comments (7)

How to photograph Redwood Mountain Grove

2009/11/10 – 17:19

Photograph the largest Sequoia grove in the world.

Only a few people visit the largest grove of giant sequoias in the world, despite its location in Kings Canyon, one of California’s most visited National Parks. The park service does not promote its location as it does nearby Grant Grove. The entrance is easy to miss and the unpaved dirt trail leading down the steep canyon road does not look inviting. No wonder most people drive past this grove, not even acknowledging its existence.
Redwood Mountain Grove Trail

By myphotoscout | Also posted in hike, Kings Canyon, sequoia, Sierra Nevada, Southern California | Tagged , , | Comments (7)

How to photograph Buck Rock Lookout

2009/11/03 – 16:55

Discover a secret place in between two of the most visited National Parks in California.
In my capacity as Photo Scout, I get to take many detours. Not many are as rewarding as Buck Rock Fire Lookout. Sitting on top of an unbelievably steep granite spire, Buck Rock is as vertiginous as it is beautiful.
Buck Rock Fire Lookout

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Fire Lookout, Kings Canyon, landmark, National Forest, Northern California, sequoia, Sierra Nevada | Tagged , | Comments (5)

Fall in Yosemite Valley

2009/10/28 – 04:39

After a hot overcrowded summer, Yosemite Valley is showing off its colors for those of us who shun the main season and adjust travel plans by beauty rather than convenience.

Painters have an infinite variety of color at their disposal; photographers have time at theirs. Golden glowing trees reflecting in the calm waters of the Merced River, color contrast and fallen leaves in the foreground bring vibrancy to your photographs that you can only get during the fall. The summer crowds have left and nature will start its recovering process. Fall through spring is our time to enjoy the park without stepping on each other’s toes, witnessing the miracle of the changing seasons.
Aspen reflecting in the Merced River

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Fall, hike, Northern California, Seasonal, Sierra Nevada | Tagged , | Comments (9)

Kings Canyon Grant Grove

2009/10/17 – 23:49

Kings Canyon lures visitors with the largest living beings on the planet in pristine wilderness. Many trails in the park are mostly empty, despite the crowds rushing through Kings Canyon every day. Most tourists simply do not plan enough time to see the vast Sequoia and Kings Canyon Double Park, hurrying from sight to sight as the park map tells them. Fortunately, some of the best sights are not marked, leaving them empty and ready for your exploration.
Sequoias of North Grove Loop with Hiker

By myphotoscout | Also posted in hike, Kings Canyon, National Forest, sequoia, Sierra Nevada, Southern California | Tagged , , , | Comments (6)

Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes in Lassen Volcanic NP

2009/06/11 – 05:29

The best view in Lassen Volcanic National Park is at the end of a torturous hike to the top of a cinder cone volcano. The spectacular volcanic landscape features colorful painted dunes and black lava fields with distant views of Mount Lassen and several beautiful mountain lakes.
View from Cinder Cone

By myphotoscout | Also posted in hike, Lassen Volcanic, Northern California | Tagged , , , , | Comments (3)

How to photograph Glacier Point

2009/05/26 – 05:35

I consider Glacier Point the most magnificent view in Yosemite, a bold statement for a park famous for its superb views. Glacier Point presents views of the west side of Yosemite Valley from Yosemite Falls to Half Dome and Nevada and Vernal Falls.
Glacier Point Panorama

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Northern California, Seasonal, Sierra Nevada, Summer, yosemite | Tagged , | Comments (9)

How to photograph Taft Point

2009/05/22 – 05:55

The splendid views of El Capitan, Yosemite Falls and Yosemite Valley from Taft Point are legendary. Yet much to my surprise, the hike still has not caught on with the lazy crowds. The low difficulty of the hike combined with the unique views it offers, should have put Taft Point on everybody’s favorite list by now. Gladly that is not the case yet, maybe because the views of nearby Glacier Point are so much easier to have.
Taft Point

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Northern California, Sierra Nevada, Summer, yosemite | Tagged , , , | Comments (2)
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