The Eastern Sierras is a magical place. They are fundamental to what it is to be Californian, to be a Westerner. From abandoned remnants of a ghost town of a bygone gold rush era to the jagged peaks that boast the tallest in the contiguous United States. The Eastern Sierras is California’s proverbial backyard mountain range. Here is where many of Californians go on summer sojourns to get lost in the backcountry to find themselves meandering through lush green meadows surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges.

Here’s where many saw their first bear, climbed their first vertical granite face, slept under the stars gazing at the milky way, paddle their kayaks, and pondered their existence in the vastness of the universe.

Sun Dog and Sage Bush

Sun Dog and Sage Bush

Endless jagged peaks and that reach for the skies.

North Lake. This a quintessential Eastern Sierra Autumn scene.

North Lake. This a quintessential Eastern Sierra Autumn scene.

“The mountains are calling and I must go.” –  John Muir

This awesome pinnacle rises above in the Tuolumne Meadows area of Yosemite National Park.

This awesome pinnacle rises above in the Tuolumne Meadows area of Yosemite National Park.

 

Shadow Of The Minarets. A series of jagged peaks located in the Ritter Range.

Shadow Of The Minarets. A series of jagged peaks located in the Ritter Range.

 

This a popular spot on Highway 88 for fall foliage viewing.

This a popular spot on Highway 88 for fall foliage viewing.

 

The Hope Valley area is full of colorful aspens during the fall season.

The Hope Valley area is full of colorful aspens during the fall season.

 

Ancient native American petroglyphs under the night sky at Vulcanic Tablelands.

Ancient native American petroglyphs under the night sky at Vulcanic Tablelands.

 

A rainbow forms at the base of Yosemite Falls.

A rainbow forms at the base of Yosemite Falls.

Gnarled Bristlecone Sunset

Gnarled Bristlecone Sunset

 

Convict Lake. It's one of a few alpine lakes easily accessible by car in the Eastern Sierras. A slight detour off highway 395. You don't have to hike to get a wonderful view such as this. It's popular for fishing, so if you get here early enough you'll have some cool photographic opportunities.

Convict Lake. It’s one of a few alpine lakes easily accessible by car in the Eastern Sierras. A slight detour off highway 395. You don’t have to hike to get a wonderful view such as this. It’s popular for fishing, so if you get there early enough you’ll have some cool photographic opportunities.

 

Autumn displays of colorful aspens turning to various bright colors in North Lake. The area is a photographer's heaven.

Autumn displays of colorful aspens turning to various bright colors in North Lake. The area is a photographer’s heaven.

 

Bodie is a well preserved ghost town from the bygone days of the gold rush.

Bodie is a well-preserved ghost town from the bygone days of the gold rush.

 

Tufa is a variety of limestone, formed by the geothermally heated hot springs.

Tufa is a variety of limestone, formed by the geothermally heated hot springs.

 

Brittel Bush is but one of many plants that thrive in the arrid landscapes of the Eastern Sierras.

Brittle Bush is but one of many plants that thrive in the arid landscapes of the Eastern Sierras.

Autumn Creek

Autumn Creek

 

A cold and frigid morning at North Peak. You can do an overnight trip or multiple days in the back country here. It's accessible via 120 just outside the boundary of Yosemite National Park on the Tuolumne Meadows side.

A cold and frigid morning at North Peak. You can do an overnight trip or multiple days in the backcountry here. It’s accessible via 120 just outside the boundary of Yosemite National Park on the Tuolumne Meadows side.

 

Pickle weed thrive on high saline and arid environment.

Pickleweed thrives on high saline and arid environment.

 

Fall Canopy

Fall Canopy

 

The Mobius Arch is a popular arch in the Alabama Hills.

The Mobius Arch is a popular arch in the Alabama Hills.

 

Contemplating at Dusy Basin

Contemplating at Dusy Basin

 

Alpen Glow at Lower Cathedral Lake

Alpen Glow at Lower Cathedral Lake

 

The White Mountains sit above 11,000 ft. making the Milky Way visible at night.

The White Mountains sit above 11,000 ft. making the Milky Way visible at night.

 

Camped Under The Minarets

Camped Under The Minarets

 

Mono Lake

Mono Lake

 

Yosemite Merced River

Yosemite Merced River

Serenity

Serenity

 

Lake Sabrina

Lake Sabrina

 

Sun burst on Aspens

Sunburst on Aspens

 

Yosemite Half Dome

Yosemite Half Dome

 

North Peak Reflection

North Peak Reflection

 

Storm at South Tufa

Storm at South Tufa

 

Granite Boulders

Granite Boulders

 

North Lake Autumn Reflection

North Lake Autumn Reflection

 

Aspens

Aspens

The stars light up at night.

Moonlit Cathedral

Moonlit Cathedral

 

Upper Cathedral Lake

Upper Cathedral Lake

The Eastern Sierras is home to the oldest living trees in the world, the Bristlecone Pine.

Bristlecone and Last Rays

Bristlecone and Last Rays

 

Mono Lake Cloud

Mono Lake Cloud

 

Sand Tufas

Sand Tufas

 

HAVE YOU BEEN TO THE EASTERN SIERRAS?

40 Pictures That Will Convince You To Explore The Eastern Sierras

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