Very nice! I love the color of the water, dramatic peaks in the background and left over snow. Can you tell us a little about the hike? How was the snow on the trail? Did you spend the night?
This was taken in the Big Pine Lakes region. We backpacked around there for 3 days over the July 4th weekend. Snow was not a problem at all on the trail or around the lakes, but the path up to the Glacier was obviously still covered in snow, we opted to not go up that way. I'm a big fan of backpacking, and this was my first time lugging out a tripod/DSLR/Lenses, so it was was an interesting learning experience I hope to improve upon.
bschmalz wrote:
This was taken in the Big Pine Lakes region. We backpacked around there for 3 days over the July 4th weekend. Snow was not a problem at all on the trail or around the lakes, but the path up to the Glacier was obviously still covered in snow, we opted to not go up that way. I'm a big fan of backpacking, and this was my first time lugging out a tripod/DSLR/Lenses, so it was was an interesting learning experience I hope to improve upon.
Cool,
Thanks for the info Brian. Talk about a Room with a View! I have never backpacked before. But you are inspiring me to get out there and give it a go. I can imagine that adding in camera gear definately makes it a bit more of a challenge. But after getting shots like this it is worth it.
BTW, I checked out your website and really like the image you took of the lake with the flowers in the foreground. That is a killer shot as well. The color of the water up there is amazing!
Thanks Derek. I wasn't as happy w/ the other pic you mentioned as I would like to be. There were lots of trees trying to block the view, so it was very hard to even get that composition. I have more sierra trips planned this summer that should hopefully showcase the wildflowers alot more.
Very relaxing scene. On a different note, let me suggest (if you haven't already) to use a shoulder harness bag (that fits around the shoulders and sits in front of your body) to help carry the SLR+lens giving you more room in the backpack. This has helped me quite a bit. I look forward to more of your backcountry photos.
I thought this looked like the Big Pine area. (The glacier silt-colored lake is a hint as is that particular peak in the distance.) This is a great area for backpacking and photography, and there are some opportunities to get off the main trail.
Pretty nice place for a rest -- really wished I was sitting in that spot. Did you get a chance to visit the glacier and see how much of it is left? Great to see photos of it if you have any.
Nope, we didn't make it up to the glacier. I'm pretty sure we would have needed snow equipment, and considering it was our first trip of the year and we had no time to acclimate, it just wasn't in the cards
I'll have to get back up there sometime soon though.
That's nice. We were backpacking in much warmer environs that weekend; would've been nice to make it higher up.
The trip was also an eye opener for my wife and I with respect to how and what to carry into the backcountry. We are definitely heading in the ultralight direction, but as new backpackers, there are certain comforts we are unwilling to forego (tent, sleeping pads, etc.). I hope to get our bags down to under 35lbs before our next outing.
