The Dardanelles

[ProCaliberTraveler]

These are The Dardanelles. They are peaks above 9,000 feet in elevation in the Sierra Nevada, located near Dardanelle, CA. They are giant blocks of basalt columns carved this way from glaciers.

On my way back to Bishop from Sacramento this weekend, I chose to take Sonora Pass. Donnell Vista is a rest area along State Route 108 that overlooks Donnell Lake and The Dardanelles. I spent a fair amount of time sitting down just watching how the clouds moved and altered the light on the peaks. I also kept wondering if it's possible to hike these peaks. I haven't found any obvious answer in terms of a trailhead yet, but there must be a trail up that mountain because I've seen some photos people took from the top of one of the Dardanelles. Not many though.

There was a wildfire in this part of the Stanislaus National Forest sometime in the past which caused a large burn scar. But I like how that has exposed the rock of the landscape. I also like how wild and rugged the Dardanelles look, and I think they're good subjects for monochrome photography.

 

[AlanLichty]

Majestic peaks - I like both the B&W as well as the color scene. The color makes the burn areas stand out more but I can see your point about the burn making the underlying rocks more prominent.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Alan summed it up perfectly.

 

[JimFox]

I have always wished i had driven on Sonora Pass more often. I don't get up that far north that often, so it would always be a few years between trips. It's probably been 10 years now since I last went over it. Each time I have gone, I have totally enjoyed it as there is so much to photograph along the way. This area is a prime example. Great job on these captures Michael. I think #2 is my favorite.

 

[ProCaliberTraveler]

I have always wished i had driven on Sonora Pass more often. I don't get up that far north that often, so it would always be a few years between trips. It's probably been 10 years now since I last went over it. Each time I have gone, I have totally enjoyed it as there is so much to photograph along the way. This area is a prime example. Great job on these captures Michael. I think #2 is my favorite.

Alan summed it up perfectly.

Majestic peaks - I like both the B&W as well as the color scene. The color makes the burn areas stand out more but I can see your point about the burn making the underlying rocks more prominent.

Thanks, everyone. That drive is a pleasure. It was also interesting for me to zoom in close on the peaks and actually see the columns. I didn’t expect that.