Dane Deaner is a commercial and travel photographer from Los Angeles. He recently published his first photo book entitled, Along for the Ride: Unplanned Adventures in the Eastern Sierra, from which he has graciously shared the following photos & camping beta.
Whether you've visited or not, chances are you're familiar with California's Eastern Sierra. Comprising Mono and Inyo counties, the region spans the east flank of the Sierra Nevada mountains west of Death Valley and is easy to access via Route 395. Towns like Bridgeport, Lee Vining, and Bishop are waypoints, but it's the scenery you'll recognize from countless commercials, photos, and even Hollywood films.
I came to know California's Eastern Sierra region when I was young. What started off as multiple trips a year to visit my family in Mammoth Lakes, home to Mammoth Mountain ski area, became innumerable day trips, camping trips, and road trips around one of the most insanely unique and inspiring regions in the country. The more I became familiar with the Eastern Sierra, the more my world expanded. And the more I visited, the more I learned where the best places to camp there are.