OK, I'm looking at the weather forcast and it looks interesting. Fot those that have a bit more experience with the weather up there, do you think these conditions are good for a nice El Cap shot on sunday around sunset?
If so, I might make a run for it and drive up on sunday morning.
Posted by Lon Overacker on December 9, 2006 at 9:33 PM
Enrique,
First, I wouldn't never discourage someone from going to Yosemite. No matter what the conditions, there is always something to shoot. Having said that.... Two things would keep me from going. 1., snow level is above 5,000 ft and you're likely to experience rain and not snow in the valley (about 3500ft) and 2., later in the winter (jan and feb) the angle of the sun is such that sunset light goes directly up the merced river valley and creates the potential for that classic orange light on El Cap; the conditions that create the natural firefall at Horsetail falls.
OTOH, these may be perfect conditions for the classic "clearing winter storm" and views from Tunnel view could be dramatic.
If you go, make a day of it and leave plenty early in the morning to meet the sunrise. At sunrise when the sun first hits El Cap, I like to be in the area just across from Bridal Veil falls where the first long car-pullouts are. Walk among the oaks and you may find something like the attached.
Have lunch at Degnin's Deli mid-day and then visit the AA Gallery. Sunrise at either Gateway to the Valley or Tunnel View.
Does this help? go, no-go.... such decisions to make. :-) Let us know if you go.
Lon
Discussion
2 replieshttp://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?wfo=hnx&zone=caz096&fire=caz296&county=cac043
If so, I might make a run for it and drive up on sunday morning.
First, I wouldn't never discourage someone from going to Yosemite. No matter what the conditions, there is always something to shoot. Having said that.... Two things would keep me from going. 1., snow level is above 5,000 ft and you're likely to experience rain and not snow in the valley (about 3500ft) and 2., later in the winter (jan and feb) the angle of the sun is such that sunset light goes directly up the merced river valley and creates the potential for that classic orange light on El Cap; the conditions that create the natural firefall at Horsetail falls.
OTOH, these may be perfect conditions for the classic "clearing winter storm" and views from Tunnel view could be dramatic.
If you go, make a day of it and leave plenty early in the morning to meet the sunrise. At sunrise when the sun first hits El Cap, I like to be in the area just across from Bridal Veil falls where the first long car-pullouts are. Walk among the oaks and you may find something like the attached.
Have lunch at Degnin's Deli mid-day and then visit the AA Gallery. Sunrise at either Gateway to the Valley or Tunnel View.
Does this help? go, no-go.... such decisions to make. :-) Let us know if you go.
Lon