Backpacking with Astrophotography
Trip Type: 4 day, 3 night Astrophotography focused backpack to Ranger Lake
​Hike Level: Moderate
Date: September 14-17, 2023
Group Size: 8
Tour Price: $600 per person

​What Can You Expect?
​Enjoy some of the darkest skies and solitude Sequoia has to offer on this Moderate 19 mile round trip backpack to Ranger Lake with 3 evenings of  basic astronomy and astrophotography instruction. 
 
Trip begins at 8am on September 14th and ends approximately at 4pm on September 17th
 
Meeting location and time: 
Group meets at Lodgepole overflow lot near the Amphitheater at 8am for meet and greet, trip overview, trailhead talk. Last minute questions, and last chance to have your pack ready.


Trip Itinerary:
Day 1 - Thursday 9/14 - 5 mile distance. Elevation gain is approximately 1700’

9am departure from the Twin Lakes Trailhead to Clover Creek.  
Arrive at Clover Creek by 2-3pm.
 
Setup camp get settled, astrophotography intro session from 4:00pm to 5:00pm

Topics Covered:
Camera settings
Manual controls
Lenses/Optics 
White balance
Composition
How to focus in the dark
Photo etiquette
Leave no trace photography habits 

5pm to 8:30pm - Free time, late afternoon nap, dinner. 

Night time photography session from 8:30pm to 10:30pm. However, you are free to stay up and photograph as long as you like.
 
Topics Covered:
Short talk about light pollution. 
Get to know your night sky
Recap of camera settings, get used to using your camera in the dark, Implementing sky maps and astronomy apps. Basic night photography setup and practice.
 
Day 2 - Friday 9/15
Clover Creek to Ranger Lake by way of  Silliman Pass. 4.2 mile distance. Elevation gain/loss is approximately 1700’ gain, 1000’ loss.

9am departure, stop for lunch at Twin Lakes. Arrive at Ranger Lake campsite around 2 or 3pm.

Free time from 3pm to 8:30pm


Nighttime photography session from 8:30pm to -10:30pm
Topics Covered:
Practice and improve your astrophotography skills
How to setup a star trail and/or time lapse
Stay up late! You can sleep in tomorrow!
 
Day 3 - Saturday 9/16
Much deserved day off! Relax, free time, suggested activities, day hike to Beville Lake, swim, nap, enjoy the Sierra High-country.
 
Final nighttime photography session from 8:30pm to 10:30pm
Topics Covered:
Deep sky imaging aka DSO
Star tackers and guided mounts.
 
Day 4 - Sunday 9/17
Ranger Lake to trailhead parking lot. 9.2 miles Elevation gain/loss is approximately 1000’ gain, 3400’  loss

Estimated arrival time at the parking lot is 3-4pm.
 
End of trip. Coin operated showers available next to the Lodgepole
Village Market.


$600 Registration includes: 
Guided wilderness travel 
3-nights backpack camping under the stars
Nightly astronomy programs​

Not Included - Bear canisters and a red headlamp or red flashlight are required but not included. Please read the FAQ’s
​
​Ready for an experience of a lifetime? Questions? Call 559-565-4251

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Q - Is food provided?
A - No, this is a self-sufficient backpack trip, every participant is expected to provide their own food and snacks

Q- How much backpacking experience is required for this trip?
A- This is not a beginner level backpack, there is a significant amount of elevation gain and distance on this trip,  advanced beginner or experienced backpackers recommended. 

Q- What about water?  How much should I carry? 
A- 2 liters is the recommended amount of water to carry, there will be frequent streams, rivers, and lakes to collect water from, a water filter or purifying system highly recommended.

Q- Do I need a bear canister?
A- Yes, approved bear canisters are required for this trip, If you don’t own one you can rent one for about $5 at the Foothills or Lodgepole Visitor Center. Bear sacks and kevlar bags are not allowed. 

Q - Do I need to carry bear spray
A- Sequoia and the Sierra Nevada is home to a large black bear population, bear spray is not required but if you feel safer with it then bring it. Your guides will discuss proper bear safety. 

Q- What type of camping gear is needed for this backpack?
A- This is not a beginner backpack so all participants should already know what is needed for an overnight backpack. If you would like a suggested gear list to insure you don’t forget anything please contact us for a list. 

Q - What camera gear is required for astrophotography?
Multiple Answers:
 1. A Sturdy tripod is the most important item to have, small table top tripods and “gorilla pod” type flexible leg tripods are not recommended. A travel size carbon fiber or aluminum tripod with a ball head is highly recommended.

2. Any camera with manual shutter and focus controls. Bulb “B” or Manual “M” settings. Preferably a DSLR or Mirrorless camera. Some “point and shoot cameras” will be sufficient but not recommended due to their small sensors and lack of lens and shutter controls. 

3. A good “fast” lens, f2.8 or faster,  preferably a prime lens aka fixed focal length, not a zoom lens. Suggested focal length is 20 to 24mm or wider. 14-16mm lenses are also great for astrophotography like star trails.

4. A remote control or remote trigger for your camera, the wired/cable ones are more reliable, try and refrain from bluetooth and wifi camera remotes. Wired remotes are best, the less tech you have is the less tech that can fail on you in the backcountry.

5. Extra camera batteries and/or small solar panel to recharge your camera during the day. Night photography uses a lot of battery power. Plan on at least one dead battery after each night. 

6. Extra memory cards for your camera, RAW files take up a lot of space, if you want to shoot star trails or time lapses that will require more memory cards. 

7. A RED HEADLAMP. White light will ruin your photos and mess up your night vision.

Note: The right lens will make all the difference in the images you take home. Please contact us if you need lens recommendations or have other camera equipment questions. 

Again, please contact us for any further questions. 

Guide Bios:
Jeremy Evans is a professional camera operator, film & digital photographer, independent filmmaker, and Dark Sky Delegate.  He is based in Los Angeles but travels for projects around the world. His work as a camera operator and a cinematographer includes Emmy nominated television shows and documentaries for The Discovery Channel, HBO, PBS, The History Channel, Showtime, CBS, ABC, NBC, and the National Geographic Channel.  Jeremy is also an interpretative program speaker in Yosemite National Park and The Dark Sky Festivals in Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Death Valley National Parks. As a delegate for the International Dark-Sky Association, he is often found spending his time backpacking in off the beaten path areas with a camera while enjoying the night skies. 

Daniel Huecker is the Field Institute Director for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.  He loves connecting people with nature and especially sharing the beauty of the High Sierra.  When not in the park, past adventures have led him on month-long sea kayaking trips in Baja and British Columbia, off trail backpacking in Utah, and walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain.  His next family adventure is a wilderness canoe trip in Ontario, Canada.

​Ready for an experience of a lifetime? Questions? Call 559-565-4251
​
WE CAN TAKE YOU THERE