Eastern Sierra- Bridgeport to Topaz
Weddings/Elopements, Portraits, Events, Business, Real Estate, and Landscapes
Northern Mono County is home to small, tight-knit communities amidst the scenic landscape of the Eastern Sierra Nevadas Mountains. One can visit Bodie, a popular ghost town, Twin Lakes, Senora Pass, Leavitt Meadows, the West Walker River, Walker, Coleville, and Topaz. Fishing, boating, hiking, rodeos, and horseback riding, and hiking are popular activities here. It is is filled with several long-time family ranches and campgrounds scattered throughout. Grand vistas, mountain views, serene meadows, lakeside hangouts, or rustic ramblings give you plenty of options to make your dream photo shoot or wedding come true.
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Bridgeport -This small community is filled with charm, vibrant community life featuring the Bridgeport Reservoir, the historic Mono County Courthouse (where marriage licenses can be issued), rodeos, fishing, ranching, and so much more.
- Conway Summit – A sweeping overlook above Mono Lake is great for dramatic, big-landscape portraits with a simple pullout and no hike. This is a common stop for photographers during the changing fall colors.
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Virgina Lakes - This high elevation lake has an excellent display of fall color; however, it tends to be short and fast. Fishing, hiking, and camping are popular here. Virginia Lakes resort has cabins and a general story. If you like to hike, go from Virginia Lakes up to Blue Lake (and further to Cooney/Frog Lakes) for a genuine backcountry option.
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Bodie State Historic Park – Possibly the best-preserved ghost town in the West, Bodie is open year-round; however, the road can close with snow. Step into the past with a unique, editorial-style backdrop for portrait/engagement session.
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Travertine Hot Springs – These hot springs are mineral pools with the Sierra as backdrop just outside Bridgeport and can have dramatic light at both sunrise and sunset. (Note: clothing-optional site — good to flag plainly for client planning rather than for posed sessions.) Perhaps the wrong type of intimate for your elopement, engagement, or surprise proposal.
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Twin Lakes (Bridgeport) – These alpine lakes sit at the base of 12,000-ft peaks and are connected by a narrow channel. The surrounding forests turn gold in fall and tend tno be quieter than Convict Lake. This would be great for smaller/more private ceremonies and portraits close to town.
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Sonora Pass – If you desire riverside portraits along the Walker River, this is the place. Continue the scenic and adventurous drive, and you can go for a horseback ride at Leavitt Meadows Pack Station. As you drive further, you pass an amazing waterfalls and wind along up through the narrow, steep mountain pass. This route provides access to the Emigrant Wilderness, the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, and the Hoover Wilderness and directs you toward the Western Foothills near Sonora. Be sure to stop and see the Leavitt Meadow Overlook, Leavitt Lake, Kennedy Meadows, and Donnell Reservoir. Mountains often remain snow-capped well into the summer. Spring may have flooded fields and meadows. Take your time. Drive slow. Stop and enjoy the scenery. This road is subject to closure due to weather and winter and is not recommended for large or long vehicles.
Bridgeport
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Walker River Corridor & Walker/Coleville - The highway parallels the Walker River. Numerous pullouts and some campgrounds give river access. There is evergreen pine trees and deciduous trees that turn with fall colors. Fishing, camping, hunting, and fall color viewing are common attractions here. Portraits, Engagements, Proposals would be perfect for this drive. These quaint towns are filled with welcoming charm. Walker has lodging, food establishments, and more. Hiking and ATV use are prime activities for this community. Take a steep drive up Mill and Goldengate Canyons to Little Antelope Pack Station to access the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness. Spring wild flowers are beautiful here.
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Monitor Pass - Just south of Topaz Lake is a mountain pass that travels through Alpine County. It offers vista points overlooking the Antelope Valley, Sweetwater Mountains, and Topaz Lake. Near the pass, you will find groves of aspen trees that have a glorious display of fall colors. As you continue west, views of the Carson Iceberg wilderness dominate the view. There are several excellent spots for portraits, senior photos, proposals, engagement sessions, and elopement sessions.
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Topaz Lake – This lake straddles the CA/NV border and is perfect for boating, fishing, and camping. Open water and hills filled with sagebrush creates a beautiful backdrop for a stop-along-the-way for sunrise or sunset golden-hour sessions. Winter snows can make the mountains look and feel larger. Near the lodge are campgrounds, restaurant, and gas. Share a meal overlooking the lake as the sun sets creating changing light along the sweetwaters.