Mammoth Lakes is getting colder, especially overnight. High in the Sierras, this morning was particularly cold, with temperatures in the high 20’s with a stiff wind. To make matters even worse, our sunrise shoot was on an open view point at 9,300 feet in elevation. It would have been so easy to stay in our warm bed, but being the obsessed photographers we are,  we braved the elements and headed to Minaret Vista. Photographing the Minarets is high on most local photographers’ lists as a wonderful place for sunrise.

We arrived early, long before sunrise. There is just a hint of dawn in the sky, and it is cold, bitter cold.  We are the only crazies there. The local photographers who made their lists didn’t tell us they photographed the Minarets in the summer. Live and learn.

Although we were frozen to the core, we were rewarded with a beautiful scene. Here a few of our shots:

One of our first shots of the morning, the peaks looked quite nice during the blue hour.

One of our first shots of the morning, the peaks looked quite nice during the blue hour.

As we always say, just turn around. This time we were rewarded with these clouds.

As we always say, just turn around. This time we were rewarded with these clouds.

Once the sun rose, the peaks turned golden during the gold hour.

Once the sun rose, the peaks turned golden during the gold hour.

And please remember, it’s all about the light, even at 9,300 feet.