Mt. Wittenberg
Mt. Wittenberg is one of my favorite spots in the park. I’m a sucker for views, and Wittenberg delivers. The open meadows at the saddle overlook Drake’s Bay to the west, and Pacifica is visible to the south.
There are a few trails to get here, but the most direct is from Bear Valley visitor center. Take the Bear Valley trail across the meadow, then turn right and start climbing. You’ll break out of the forest right before reaching the saddle. If you want less climbing, you can take Limantour Road to the Sky Trail trailhead. Take Sky Trail past Sky Camp and turn left to take the trail up to the saddle.
Don’t bother going up to the actual peak: it is a disappointing warren of small clearings and brush. Instead, turn south at the saddle and follow a short trail through some scattered trees. It should lead you to a wide open meadow overlooking Drake’s Bay.
A good sunset over the bay is spectacular, with the water reflecting the sky’s colors. On cloudy days the bay reflects the much colder blue hues of twilight. If you stay for the best light, you’ll be hiking out in the dark so bring a flashlight. Personally, I recommend staying at nearby Sky Camp. That way you can easily return tomorrow morning to catch sunrise. To get to the camp, return to the saddle and take the trail down to Sky Camp. You’ll reach an intersection and need to turn right.
If you find the morning fog has rolled in, you can still find ample subjects nearby. South of the saddle there is a network of small meadows between the trees. The mist accentuates the depth between the trees, and photos in the fog come out with a pleasing monotone blue. The fog often burns off before noon, providing more opportunities to catch the final wisps of vapor as they float through the trees.