Heart Bar Campground

Emrys Roberts July 30, 2020

We recently had the opportunity to take a weekend trip up to a relatively local campground called Heart Bar Campground. This campground is located inside the San Bernardino National Forest just outside Big Bear Lake. The main reasons we chose this campground was the availability to reserve a spot, one of the few in the state during this pandemic; as well as my Cousin-in-law had recently stayed near here and wanted to try it out.

This spot turned out to be really nice. We were honestly worried about the mosquito situation after an encounter a few years ago at Wishon Campground that left us all rather scared LOL. Luckily however, we loaded up on the Deet spray and the area seemed to be relatively mosquito free.

The site had little to no cell service which was technically a good thing, but to be honest I would have rather had no cell service at all. Nothing worse then really REALLY slow internet speeds. The temptation is then always there to check your phone and it can drive you insane.

The campground itself lays just below some nice mild Jeep and hiking trails that are just outside of the campground. We made it to a good stopping point on one summit just before the the road got a little more challenging for my 2-wheel drive truck. Offered some great views.

One thing I really love about camping is getting the opportunity to shoot some astrophotography and long exposure shots. The low level of light pollution compared to being in town in Los Angeles makes such a huge difference.

I had hoped to get some images of the Neowise Comet since the night sky was so perfect, but unfortunately I missed it due to it being under the tree line out of my view. Guess I’ll catch it again in 6,800 years when it comes back around 🤦🏻‍♂️

On our way back home the next day, we decided to make a stop over at Jenks Lake. A really nice higher elevation lake that was great for day fishing.

Rating: 7/10

Fairly clean campsite, but no real amenities. Lots to explore in the immediate area though. Definitely look forward to coming back again sometime soon.

RV Road Trip - Stop #2 - Zion National Park

Emrys Roberts November 6, 2019

Our second stop of the trip brought us to Zion National Park. I hadn’t honestly read too much about this one, so I was excited to see what we would find. We stayed in the local KOA in Ceder City, just a short highway drive up north from the Park. As our fist experience at a KOA, it was a fairly nice experience. They have some small amenities like hot showers and hookups for the RV.

The trip into the park was really beautiful. Utah offers some amazing sights as that whole part of the state is geologically fantastic. I was able to fit in a quick drone flight before we entered the park area. It’s illegal to fly drones in any National Park, so had to find a spot that would give me a good vantage point for the landscape. I was not disappointed.

Mavic 2 Pro, Stitched Panoramic, Click for higher-res preview

Driving in we past the town of Springdale. Nice little town that was mostly shops and a few vacation homes it seemed like.

Once we entered the park entrance, you were already introduced to why this park is so world renown. It was literally like the sky opened up once we reached the parking lot.

Travel Type: If you’re coming to Zion National Park with an RV, be prepared to have to park and take the shuttle in. They don’t allow RV’s inside the park, so you’ll have to leave everything behind and wait for the shuttle. It wasn’t too long of a wait however so it’s actually the best way to get around.

The shuttle itself was fairly aired out, but it was very hard to see anything from the windows. One thing to note about this park is it’s very much a hiking park. The main road just gets you to the trail heads which vary in length to each destination. Our first stop, which we randomly picked, was Weeping Rock.

Sony A7iii, Zeiss Batis 40mm, Vertical Stitched Panoramic

We chose this one in particular so that Naeiri wouldn’t have to hike so far. Being 8 months pregnant isn’t the best time to go on a major hike 😉

The hike up was relatively easy. Wouldn’t even need hiking shoes as the path is very well maintained. It had a few small vista points as well that would open up to the sky as you walked up. Once you reach the edge of the cliff, it’s very obvious how the trail got its name. Water and mineral deposits stream down the side of the cliff. There is actually a spot to walk up to the man view point, but be prepared with a raincoat, it’s dripping water over you the whole time. But the view is worth it.

The main viewing area was worth the trek up. It had a nearly 180 degree panoramic view of the valley. The clouds were coming in and out of the area the whole day too, so it helped to cast some great shadows over the cliffs on the surrounding valley.

Sony A7iii, Canon 20mm f2.8, Stitched Panoramic

Once we started making our way back to the shuttle landing, the rain clouds started making their way in. Realizing that most of the other trails were much more difficult than this last one, plus the added pressure of needing to press on to the next stop in our trip helped us decide that it was time to head back to the RV.

The was a little bit more it see from the shuttle in this area, but still fairly dense.

Our last stop to change shuttles to go back in the other direction was at the foot of The Narrows. Nice view but was getting rained on trying to take the shot.

Had to get some last shots of the most majestic parking lot I’ve ever been to I’m my life. 😱

As we were leaving town and heading back to the highway, we decided to stop and grab something to eat. Springdale didn’t have the best options for parking a massive RV, so we continued on and found this awesome spot just before entering the park called Virgin Trading Post. It had this amazing ghost town setup in the front. It was a fee to get into the ghost town, so we passed that but found an interesting burger joint inside.

Parking was a little bit better here, plus it gave me an opportunity to the fly the drone before we got back on the highway.

The burger joint here was great! The had all kinds of meat to choose from. I went with the Bison meat this time, but maybe next time I’ll try one of the more exotic ones 😳

All in all this was a great first stop, and definitely need the chance to come back when I’m prepared to take some long hikes. But the road called us and we had a long drive ahead of us to get to Bear Lake KOA before it was too late.

Trona Pinnacles, Searles Lake, California

Emrys Roberts September 12, 2016

During this particular week I had a Canon 5DSr on loan from Canon CPS. Rather than take just the usual shots locally, I decided to venture a little further and try to put the camera to use in a more grand view.

Canon 5DSr, Canon 24-70mm f2.8L II, ISO 100

I decided to revisit a place a friend had taken me for a short film we shot about a year before. It was definitely a further drive than I had anticipated, but completely worth it.

Canon 5DSr, Canon 35mm F1.4L II, ISO 160

Located about 22 miles outside the town of Ridgecrest, the drive is beautiful. Just a massive expanse of desert highway past a few signs to give you directions, until you come up on the turn off for a dirt road to enter the National Landmark.

Drive too fast and you might miss the turn off.

Entering the main dirt road was a little interesting as it doesn't have the most obvious route visible. There are a few signs that give you an idea of the layout of the park.

There was a small box that was supposed to have sample maps, but unfortunately none were present the day I came.

Some interesting facts about how the Pinnacles were formed.

Canon 5DSr, Canon 24-70mm f2.8L II, ISO 100, Stitched Panoramic in Lightroom Classic CC

Here is a quote from the main Bureau of Land Management's website about the Landmark:

“The Trona Pinnacles are a unique geological features in the California Desert Conservation Area. The unusual landscape consists of more than 500 tufa spires, some as high as 140 feet, rising from the bed of the Searles Dry Lake basin. The pinnacles vary in size and shape from short and squat to tall and thin, and are composed primarily of calcium carbonate (tufa). The Trona Pinnacles have been featured in many commercials, films, and still-photo shoots.
”

— Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior

As you travel down the dirt road you pass by some train tracks carrying train cars filled with Gypsum and other minerals. This area is also part of Searles Lake, which from what I understand is rich in mineral deposits.

The road is not the most pleasant to drive down. A long stretch that is nothing part harsh washboard which as you might have seen from a photo or two, aided in me loosing one of my hubcaps. 🤦‍♂️

But once you make your way closer, you are finally greeted by the signs to let you know you've entered the Lake Basin.

Canon 5DSr, Canon 24-70 F2.8L II, ISO 100

This was one of the most relaxing and awe-inspiring location's I've ever been to. I arrived around 3pm, so I didn't have much time to shoot, but I was able to get in a few good time-lapses as well just as the sun was going down.

Even though I was here with the sun at a higher point in the sky than I necessarily wanted, it was still amazing to see these formations in the light that I did. One great thing about using the Canon 5DSr in this instance was the larger sensor seemed to really help the dynamic range and keeping a lot of detail in the shadows. Plus getting to capture this landscape with a larger megapixel camera left me with a lot of options in Post. (Click the image below to see it in greater detail)

One of the things I loved about this location was that I saw maybe a total of 4 people the entire day. 5 people! The silence was almost deafening. But hugely inspirational.

One fascinating thing I found near the only restroom you can find in the whole park was this strange dugout whole in one of the spires. Looks to be fairly old, and I'm guessing was used as some kind of relief from the heat. But I'd like to imagine that it once was a hiding place for something amazing. It brings back memories of Lost season 1 when they found the hatch.

Almost every angle you would look would have an amazing vista. Such a surreal place.

I spent most of the rest of the day wandering around to try and find the best view for a time-lapse.

I had my other Canon 5D Mark iii with me, so I was able to setup a couple time-lapses just as the sun was setting.

Where I decided to park to get the time-lapses.

This direction had some interesting cloud formations just above the mountain range. No idea what they're called. Do you? 🤔

Canon 5D Mark iii, 24-70 f2.8L II, ISO 100 (Still from the Time-lapse which can be found at the end of the post)

All in all this place did not disappoint. And so many other photographers have captured amazing shots and vantage points that I hadn't even thought of. I'll need to make my way out there again very soon.

Canon 5DSr, Canon 35mm f1.4L II, ISO 100, Stitched Panoramic in Lightroom Classic CC

FullHD Resolution Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/XsPz7Jq3QsE — FullHD Resolution Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/XsPz7Jq3QsE

FullHD Resolution Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/GXBuegnAmvY — FullHD Resolution Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/GXBuegnAmvY

FullHD Resolution Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/3EeEw-YrEMc — FullHD Resolution Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/3EeEw-YrEMc

Heart Bar Campground

RV Road Trip - Stop #2 - Zion National Park

Trona Pinnacles, Searles Lake, California

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