Sierra Nevada, California
Looking for the best photography in Sierra Nevada? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Sierra Nevada. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Photography Spots in and near Sierra Nevada
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Mono County, California
Gem Lake via Rush Creek
5.06.91 mi / 2313 ft gainThis hike starts next to Silver Lake in the June Lake Loop, located just north of Mammoth Lakes, CA off HWY 395. There is a parking lot near the RV park as well as street parking across the road from the trailhead. Once you head out on the hike, you'll start gaining elevation as you hike up tow...Read more -
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
Dewey Point via McGurk Meadow Trailhead
5.07.51 mi / 1253 ft gainBefore you start, be sure to visit the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center and grab an overnight permit. More info on this at nps.gov. This trail meanders through beautiful, dense meadows full of wildlife - watch for bears! When you're not hiking among the wildflowers and babbling brooks, you're enc...Read more -
Amador County, California
Hike to Thunder Mountain at Carson Pass
7 miThe trailhead begins on Rt 88 just past Kirkwood Resort or Silver Lake - depending on which way you are headed. There is plenty of parking but no other amenities. The trail begins at 7,900 ft and climbs steadily up Two Sentinels then along the ridge to Martins Point, ending at the 9,408ft summit ...Read more -
Yosemite National Park, California
Winter route to Sentinel Dome
5.019.23 mi / 2028 ft gainThe goal for our weekend was to do some winter camping in the Yosemite backcountry; we decided on Sentinel Dome as our destination. The trail is a cakewalk during the summer, but winter turns it into a 10 mile uphill grind from the car. Most people opt to head for the ski hut at Glacier Point, bu...Read more -
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
Nordic Ski and Snowshoe to Glacier Point
5.021 miKnown for its breathtaking vistas, towering granite faces, and thundering waterfalls, Yosemite National Park truly is one of the world’s most astounding landscapes. Though the park covers nearly 1200 square miles, the vast majority of the ~4 million annual visitors spend almost all their time ar...Read more -
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
Cross-Country Ski to the Ostrander Ski Hut
Start your trip from the Badger Pass ski area. The Glacier point road is closed past here, and you'll spend your first couple of miles skiing mostly downhill to the Bridalveil Falls trailhead.The Bridelveil Creek trail gains slightly less elevation but is less scenic and longer than the more popu...Read more -
Bishop, California
Camp at Oh Ridge Campground on June Lake
5.0Nestled along the shores of picturesque June Lake, is the Oh Ridge campground. Oh Ridge has access to the beach of June Lake via Pine Cliff Road, and the town of June lake as well as Gull Lake, Silver Lake, and Grant Lake are all within a short driving distance along the June Lake Loop. Mammoth ...Read more -
South Lake Tahoe, California
Hike to Round Lake through Big Meadow
3 mi / 1197 ft gainYou will start out at the Big Meadow trailhead at the Luther Pass parking lot. It's three miles one way. Near the end of the hike just before the lake the rock formations are prime...big trees, a crystal stream. The trail is well defined and easy going even though it's an 1100 foot gain in eleva...Read more -
June Lake, California
June Lake
4.8June Lake is a hidden gem in the Eastern Sierra, just north of Mammoth Lakes. June Lake is a quaint little lake with spectacular views. The neighboring town of the same name also boasts a brewery with tasty brews. For a truly unforgettable sunset, grab some brews and walk over to June Lake for th...Read more -
June Lake, California
Gull Lake Loop
1.97 mi / 174 ft gainGull Lake trail is one of my favorite hiking spots in the June Lake Loop area. It is a very scenic trail that goes through varying terrains from meadows to marshes to aspen and conifer groves. Trailhead starts at the Mono County Community Center and winds counter-clockwise around the lake to th...Read more -
Groveland, California
Drive the Yosemite Valley Loop
4.3Upon entering Yosemite Valley National Park I made it a point to see Half Dome, El Capitan, and Washington Column and several other famous Yosemite formations. What I didn't realize was as soon as I entered The Village was that all could be seen within a 15 minute loop around the valley floor. Th...Read more -
Echo Lake, California
Hike to Jabu Lake in Desolation Wilderness
5.0Although this hike can be done as a day hike, there are incredible camping spots near the lake. The easiest way to start this hike is to start at the Echo Lakes. There is ample parking above the marina and you even have the option of taking a water taxi across the echo lakes to cut off around 2.5...Read more -
Echo Lake, California
"Waterfall Camp" in Desolation Wilderness
4.710.5 mi / 1522 ft gainAlthough this hike can be done as a day hike, it is an awesome place to camp. There is a lot to explore and you will want to spend as much there time as you can. The easiest way to start this hike is to start at the Echo Lakes. There is ample parking above the marina and you even have the option ...Read more -
Echo Lake, California
Hike Flagpole Peak from the bottom of Echo Summit
3.5 mi / 1900 ft gainFor this hike there are two places you can start from. One is at the Echo Lakes parking lot and the other is at the bottom of Echo Summit (where we started at). Parking at the gun tower at the bottom of Echo Summit you'll be looking right at the face of Flagpole. After parking just off the side o...Read more -
Twin Bridges, California
Ralston Peak Trail
4.05.96 mi / 2740 ft gainStarting at the lower lot it's less than a mile to access the trail. The hike starts off in shade through a lot of red fir forest and continues at a steady upward route. Approximately 45 mins into the hike you'll come across a sign that says you are entering desolation wilderness. The forest will...Read more -
Sonora, California
Bouldering at Columbia College
Get your hands on some limestone bouldering at this spot. There's actually two locations for bouldering in this area, Columbia College and Columbia State Park (about less than a 10 min. drive from Columbia College), but I made this specific adventure for climbing on the college. GPS Coordinates f...Read more