Places I recommend
Many people are into the whole Yosemite/Western slope thing. Although I agree that Yosemite is one of the most beautiful places around, the crowds etc remind me of a day at Disneyland. The Eastern Slope of the Sierra is a must see. You won't see the trees like on the western slope, but the Geology will leave you in awe. Visit Lundy lake and hike up to the May Lundy mine (a difficult but rewarding 3 mile hike with about 1,700 feet of elevation in that distance). Also, go to Saddlebag lake and take the water taxi to the 20 lakes basin. The hiking is easy on a good trail. Keep in mind, here you are at 10,000 plus feet...so take it easy and enjoy! Feel free to email me for other great day trips or if you have one to add!

Areas I am focusing on for Summer/Fall 2004
For this year, I plan to spend some time on Day hikes. Equipment and water can get heavy and I tend to baby my cameras too much (they get cleaned every night when in use). Most nights will be spent roughing it in a motel cleaning lenses and downloading digital images to the laptop etc.

Areas of focus will be: White Mountains for the bristlecones, Budd and Cathedral Lakes, Upper Green Creek, Gem Lake, Bodie and Duck Pass. My extended hike goal is Waterwheel Falls and other Falls along the Toulumne. If anyone has been to these places and has recommendations, please let me know...Thanks!

Send me an email
Steve Osterberg

Your questions and comments are welcome and appreciated. Here are some comments from visitors:

Thanks for posting the great shots. I lived in the Eastern Sierra for 8 years at Hunewill Ranch and The Glasshouse in Bridgeport. My relocated business life in Atlanta is a long way from home, but your site and the Donner Summit cam I found are a big help to my sanity and balance. Again, thanks. You are an artist......I'm a displaced native Californian sitting in So. Illinois. I started going to Eastern Sierra as a kid in 1947. I love those high lakes above tree line. Nice job of capturing the mood.........My wife and I became first time Grandparents this month. Our lovely Daughter and her husband named their little girl Sierra Elizabeth. Your splendid photographs depict the beauty for which her name was chosen. Thank you for sharing the talent God has so richly blessed you with.... Thank you so much for those stunning pictures. Absolutely beautiful.. My favorite is early morning up Tioga Pass...Love it! Again thank you for the pleasure.......... Great site Steve !! We are just starting to plan a 2 week camping trip in the Mono Co/June Lake Loop area and your photos give us a good idea of the beauty of the area - Thanks !......... Some of the best photos of the eastern Sierra I've seen! These capture the unique beauty and magificence of the sierra........ Phenominal pics, can't wait to get back......... Your photographs are wonderful and the commentary makes me appreciate them even more, thinking about what you had to do to get them! Thanks........ Just wanted to say how beautiful your photos are. I live in Santa Rosa, California and found your site by searching for "Bridgeport Ca. We visited Lee Vining a few years ago and were in awe of the beauty. Hope to settle in that area someday but I'm sure jobs areen't very plentiful there. Keep up the great work! It's the best page I've been able to find with awesome photos of the area. Thanks!....... Absolutely breath taking photos! You've managed to capture the experience of being there with the vibrant colors, clarity and bold shapes........WOW! Astounding stuff photos. Energizing for a hiker to get that pack ready to go, yet surreal to the urbanite. I see your photos and realize that I need to take my children to see such beauty. Thanks for your hard work and you are on ehlluva photographer!