Mist, peaks, and creek at sunset, Sierra Nevada, California. I made this photograph on our second evening in camp, as the rain finally stopped, and we were treated to a wonderful sunset (see the last two photos below).
Long before the Oak Fire, Claudia and I had planned to go on a trip into the Sierra backcountry with some photographer friends. We would be using mules to transport our gear into a remote campsite, staying for six nights, and making day hikes to nearby photo locations.
The fire threatened to disrupt those plans, but once we were able to return home, and our power was restored, it seemed possible that we could make the trip. It meant we had to pack rather hurriedly, but it was doable, and seemed like the perfect getaway.
It turned out to be quite an adventure. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for the mountains on our first day, and soon after we set up camp that afternoon an intense thunderstorm developed overhead. We all huddled in our tents, pummeled by torrential rain and hail, while lightning struck all around us.
Claudia and I made this video of ourselves reacting to a loud clap of thunder while we waited out the storm in our tent.
We had tried to pick tent sites that wouldn’t flood, but that proved to be impossible, since every conceivable spot had water pouring into it. When Claudia and I realized there was a pool of water around our tent we got out, thinking that our body weight might force water up through the floor of our tent. We had set up a canopy to provide a sheltered place to cook and eat in the rain, but that was standing in six inches of water, so Claudia and I waited out the remainder of the storm standing under a group of trees.
The rain let up somewhat by evening. We could see that the creek we had crossed to reach our camp was now a raging torrent full of brown water. We clearly weren’t going to be able to cross that creek for awhile, but we had plenty of food, and lots of places we could explore on our side of the creek.
When the rain eased up a bit we looked at the creek we had crossed to get to our camp, which was now a raging torrent. Seemed like we might be stuck for awhile!
The rain stopped after dark, then returned around 2:00 a.m., and continued most of the next day. But the rain-generated mist wrapping around the nearby mountains was quite photogenic, so we ventured out whenever the rain let up a bit. Then, late in the day, the rain actually stopped, and we were treated to an incredible sunset.
The sun came out the next day, allowing us to dry out our clothes and relax a bit. The rest of the trip brought only a few sprinkles, but lots of photogenic clouds. We had great conditions for photography, but more importantly, we had a wonderful time hanging out together while exploring and photographing a beautiful area. It was just what we needed.
Here are some photos from those first two rainy days, but I’ll post images from the rest of the trip soon.
— Michael Frye
Juniper and clouds, Sierra Nevada, California. Photographed on our hike in as the clouds were building.
Misty ridges, Sierra Nevada, California. Steady rain fell on our second day, but all the moisture created lots of mist.
Misty afternoon at a mountain lake, Sierra Nevada, California. Another photo from our rainy, misty, second day.
Clearing skies after a rainstorm, Sierra Nevada, California. Late on our second afternoon the rain finally stopped, and we could see patches of blue sky.
Sunset at a high-country lake, Sierra Nevada, California. After making the photograph at the top of this post I turned around and realized there was spectacular sunset going on behind me.
Mammatus clouds at sunset, Sierra Nevada, California. Another photo from the amazing sunset on our second evening.
Related Posts: Oak Fire; Oak Fire Update; Summer in the High Country
Michael Frye is a professional photographer specializing in landscapes and nature. He is the author or principal photographer of The Photographer’s Guide to Yosemite, Yosemite Meditations, Yosemite Meditations for Women, Yosemite Meditations for Adventurers, and Digital Landscape Photography: In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams and the Great Masters. He has also written three eBooks: Light & Land: Landscapes in the Digital Darkroom, Exposure for Outdoor Photography, and Landscapes in Lightroom: The Essential Step-by-Step Guide. Michael has written numerous magazine articles on the art and technique of photography, and his images have been published in over thirty countries around the world. Michael has lived either in or near Yosemite National Park since 1983, currently residing just outside the park in Mariposa, California.
Absolutely amazing photos.
Thanks Howard!
Wow… What an amazing experience to witness and to share together! Amazing how fast that Creek filled up to a raging muddied river! Quite the site! So glad to be able to witness it via your video. Thank you so much for sharing for those of us that don’t usually get these unique experiences. You definitely got weather and some gorgeous gorgeous photographs! Thank you for sharing with us.
Thanks Linda! It was an amazing experience. During the thunderstorm we heard the roar from the creek, and then when we were able to get out an look at it… wow!
WOW! To the point may I information as to Purchasing some of your books.
Thanks Allen! You can find information about my books here:
https://www.michaelfrye.com/books/
Let me know if you have specific questions.
Gorgeous scenery, Michael! Glad you and Claudia weren’t washed away.
Ha – me too!
A masterpiece. If had even one …just one ….image like this I could die knowing I did ok 🙂
Thanks very much Tom!
Hi… Where exactly were you in the back country?. I just came back from a week in Pioneer basin. One has to get there by horseback and pack mules How to Rock Creek Park Station. It was a wonderful trip no rain tho
Glad you had to good trip Tim. These days I just don’t discuss specific locations online, as I’ve seen too many previously-quiet places become suddenly overrun with photographers once they get known.
Spectacular. Once in a lifetime experience. Keep up the good work.
Thanks very much Bill!
Quite the experience. Glad you got through it and with some spectacular photos. Thanks for living a life I can’t and sharing it. 🙂
Ha! It was quite an experience.
Well that sounded like quite the adventure… with a beautiful photographic second half! Beautiful sunset images. The part about you huddling underneath a group of trees during a thunderstorm was not very reassuring!!!
Thanks very much Lisa! The lightning had diminished by the time we got under the trees.
Good thing you did not camp on the edge of the creek. Beautiful photos. Look forward to the next group.
Yes, I thought the same thing. Thanks!
I loved every moment of this trip. Thanks for taking us along through your amazing photographs.
Glad you enjoyed this DJ – thanks!
Misty ridges, Sierra Nevada and Mammulus clouds will be in the running for photos of the year! Awesome!
Thank you Barbara!
Quite an adventure! It’s a good thing you didn’t have to cross that stream again immediately.
Yeah, we were in no hurry to get back across the stream. If we had to we could have found another route, but it would have been difficult.
Many years ago my wife and I and our 3 year old child lived through the most horrible electrical storm on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in our little tent in mid Oct. The rangers were advising everyone to leave who could since this was predicted to be very severe. Well, we stayed and wished we didn’t. So, watching the video of you and Claudia in your tent brings back many memories.
Our storm hit at night, we were at ~8300 ft and the storm came in right over our heads at night, cold and violent. We really thought we were going to be hit by lightening since there was ~300 discharges and many ground and tree strikes during the storm. All I can remember is burying my head in a pillow screaming from the incredible concussive force of the thunder Not fun. We woke up to 6 inches of snow. I’d like to do it all over again.
Well I had to laugh at your last sentence Edward. It sounds like a scary experience, but if you survive it’s a memorable one!
Thank you sharing these dramatic scenes. All the best
Thank you John!
Rain was a welcome sign and lessen the fires in California, right? Not sure how much but interesting story you shared, for all us photographers.
It was quite a contrast to go from our dry and fire-blackened home neighborhood in the foothills to a lush and very wet environment in the high country. But although any rain is welcome in this state, the areas that received rain were quite small and localized, so the rain did little to lessen the overall fire danger.
Thanks Michael for sharing this fun exciting adventure along with the highlight of Claudia’s videos. Such a beautiful area for you to bring to us in your great work.
Thanks David! Glad you enjoyed this.
Love these photos… and the stories. That tributary is absolutely roaring!
Not many years ago I was in a similar thunderstorm some ways north (lie-L canyon of that one river that flows through that one park) and we emerged from the tent to see the previously tranquil late-summer flow turned into a muddy torrent. I love it when nature puts on a show!
My wife and I named our daughter after the lake in the photos. One of my favorite places. (Though it does feel very crowded these days compared to when we first started visiting.) We brought our whole family there (on foot) a couple of summers ago for a four day trip. The kids were 7 and 8. I think we’ll go back this next summer and hit up a bigger loop.