I will be photographing the Big Sur and Bay area in two weeks and wanted to take a side trip for 2 days through Yosemite. My primary point of interest is "Valley View" I have been told that sunrise is best as the sun hits the peak of El Cap. What is generally the best time of day to photograph that area? Also, I understand Valley View is near the exit? What is my estimated driving time from park entrance?
Any help would be great
Posted by Richard Wong on June 10, 2007 at 2:39 PM
your best bet is at sunset or up to an hour before. The valley isn't very big though it can get very busy in summer. during the offseason you can get around in probably five to ten minutes.
Valley View is on the main road on the valley floor that leads into the upper end of the valley. There is a large parking area on the right, adjacent to the river: it is very obvious. In the summer, especially at sunset, it will be a crowded spot. I would allow an hour once you get through the entrance.
Note that Valley View is not the classic vista of the whole Valley that is commonly photographed. That place is called Tunnel View.
If the sunlight is still hitting the west face of El Cap, a three-stop ND Grad will be required in order to hold detail in the foreground, or you'll need to do a blend.
If you have the time, I suggest that you make the drive up to Tuolumne Meadows and to Tioga Pass. The Sierra High Country is fabulous, there are less people, and it will be much cooler than the Valley floor.
Photographers normally shoot from Valley View in the afternoon and not sunrise which would cause famous formations eastward to be backlit. In fact canyon walls and much higher mountains to the east prevent early light anywhere in the Valley from being visible. For the last few years, a long huge ugly incense cedar log wedged up on the near shore rocks and the encroachment of fast growing young alders blocking the view, have made some of its classic river foregrounds relatively mediocre. Best time of year for VV is at the equinoxes when sunset light goes directly up the canyon. In the summer the sun sets behind ridgelines well before sunset providing mostly shadows on foregrounds, midgrounds, or El Capitan by late afternoon. ...David
One thing to keep in mind for a short trip... depending on where you're leaving from, it's 3-4 hours from the Bay Area. If leaving from Big Sur, expect closer t 5hours. It's worth the drive, of course.
Preston, Preston... I'm going to have to report you again for driving on the wrong side of the road! Valley View, also referred to as Gateway to the Valley, is located at the very end of Northside drive heading OUT of the valley. The parking lot will be on your LEFT! The valley proper is basically composed of a loop road, Northside and Southside drives - and are one-way (except when you get near Yosemite Village. There is a cross-over in the middle of the loop as well.
And just to clarify, Valley View is not necessarily near the "exit," but it is at the very end of Northside drive where the one-way traffic ends.
Driving time from the park entrance? Also depends on which entrance. The "Arch Rock" entrance is located on Highway 140 and is the nearest entrance to the Valley. Richard is right that the Valley isn't all that big, but from the park entrance, it will take you at least 20 minutes to get to Valley View. Note there is a 25mph speed limit within the valley - I know, I got a ticket in February! It will be more crowded, so the cars, buses, bikes, etc. will keep you slowed down anyway.
I will agree that VV is not a prime desired location for sunrise. David is correct that the valley floor on the west end won't see sunlight for several hours after sunrise. Sunlight will hit El Capitan and create difficult exposure situations with everything else still in shadow. You're better off somewhere at the eastern end of the Valley during the early morning. Specifically, Cooke's Meadow or even the Swinging Bridge. There's a trail that goes all the way around the meadow.
But just so you know, sunrise on the west end of the valley, including VV and Tunnel View, can be done. In fact in the winter and spring the valley often has fog and low-lying clouds with create fantastic opportunities for witnessing the "clearing storm" or the "range of light."
Valley View at sunset is a must, especially if you're only there for one night. David's right about that obnoxious fallen tree, but there are spots to the right of it. And get there early to reserve your tripod holes. There's only room for maybe a 12-15 cars and the tour buses always stop here too.
Preston mentioned Tuolumne meadows as an alternative to the valley. You may also consider the drive to Glacier Point. spectacular view from there and if there's any kind of clouds or color, you can't go wrong with sunset from there. It's been a while, but I believe it's a good 45min drive from the valley floor. Take the highway 41 signs to Oakhurst/Fresno.
Well, I could talk about Yosemite for a while, but time to turn on the bbq....
Hey, Lon: You know me...old 'wromg way' Preston! Please don't report me to Michael Gordon! He would cut off my supply of Pepperidge Farms Orange Milano cookies! Perhaps you will forgive me, though. When I first visited Yosemite, there was no one-way road in The Valley, and the new section of the Tioga Pass Road on the East Side was still under under construction!
Daniel: You will have a good time!
-PB
Posted by John W. Wall on June 11, 2007 at 6:44 PM
"And get there early to reserve your tripod holes."
How about if I just wade out into the river in *front* of the log and the other pesky photographers?
"How about if I just wade out into the river in *front* of the log and the other pesky photographers? "
That sounds a little iffy, John. How's about we get a few photogs together, grab some chain saws and pickup trucks and then do a little 'midnight timber removal'.
<<grab some chain saws and pickup trucks and then do a little 'midnight timber removal'>>
Not a bad idea! LOL! There is only about room for 2-3 photogs in the Tunnel View (and I could not find Inspiration Point), to get the wide angle of El Cap and Bridal Veil Falls. I was there last month and there was a couple set up blocking any one else that wanted to shoot ... the woman was actually sitting and blocking the "other" spot ... and refused to share. I suggested kindly they return to first grade. They eventually lightened up ... and let me in. Of course the sunset never happened.
Discussion
8 repliesAny help would be great
Valley View is on the main road on the valley floor that leads into the upper end of the valley. There is a large parking area on the right, adjacent to the river: it is very obvious. In the summer, especially at sunset, it will be a crowded spot. I would allow an hour once you get through the entrance.
Note that Valley View is not the classic vista of the whole Valley that is commonly photographed. That place is called Tunnel View.
If the sunlight is still hitting the west face of El Cap, a three-stop ND Grad will be required in order to hold detail in the foreground, or you'll need to do a blend.
If you have the time, I suggest that you make the drive up to Tuolumne Meadows and to Tioga Pass. The Sierra High Country is fabulous, there are less people, and it will be much cooler than the Valley floor.
-PB
One thing to keep in mind for a short trip... depending on where you're leaving from, it's 3-4 hours from the Bay Area. If leaving from Big Sur, expect closer t 5hours. It's worth the drive, of course.
Preston, Preston... I'm going to have to report you again for driving on the wrong side of the road! Valley View, also referred to as Gateway to the Valley, is located at the very end of Northside drive heading OUT of the valley. The parking lot will be on your LEFT! The valley proper is basically composed of a loop road, Northside and Southside drives - and are one-way (except when you get near Yosemite Village. There is a cross-over in the middle of the loop as well.
And just to clarify, Valley View is not necessarily near the "exit," but it is at the very end of Northside drive where the one-way traffic ends.
Driving time from the park entrance? Also depends on which entrance. The "Arch Rock" entrance is located on Highway 140 and is the nearest entrance to the Valley. Richard is right that the Valley isn't all that big, but from the park entrance, it will take you at least 20 minutes to get to Valley View. Note there is a 25mph speed limit within the valley - I know, I got a ticket in February! It will be more crowded, so the cars, buses, bikes, etc. will keep you slowed down anyway.
I will agree that VV is not a prime desired location for sunrise. David is correct that the valley floor on the west end won't see sunlight for several hours after sunrise. Sunlight will hit El Capitan and create difficult exposure situations with everything else still in shadow. You're better off somewhere at the eastern end of the Valley during the early morning. Specifically, Cooke's Meadow or even the Swinging Bridge. There's a trail that goes all the way around the meadow.
But just so you know, sunrise on the west end of the valley, including VV and Tunnel View, can be done. In fact in the winter and spring the valley often has fog and low-lying clouds with create fantastic opportunities for witnessing the "clearing storm" or the "range of light."
Valley View at sunset is a must, especially if you're only there for one night. David's right about that obnoxious fallen tree, but there are spots to the right of it. And get there early to reserve your tripod holes. There's only room for maybe a 12-15 cars and the tour buses always stop here too.
Preston mentioned Tuolumne meadows as an alternative to the valley. You may also consider the drive to Glacier Point. spectacular view from there and if there's any kind of clouds or color, you can't go wrong with sunset from there. It's been a while, but I believe it's a good 45min drive from the valley floor. Take the highway 41 signs to Oakhurst/Fresno.
Well, I could talk about Yosemite for a while, but time to turn on the bbq....
Have a great time.
Lon
Daniel: You will have a good time!
-PB
How about if I just wade out into the river in *front* of the log and the other pesky photographers?
That sounds a little iffy, John. How's about we get a few photogs together, grab some chain saws and pickup trucks and then do a little 'midnight timber removal'.
-PB
Not a bad idea! LOL! There is only about room for 2-3 photogs in the Tunnel View (and I could not find Inspiration Point), to get the wide angle of El Cap and Bridal Veil Falls. I was there last month and there was a couple set up blocking any one else that wanted to shoot ... the woman was actually sitting and blocking the "other" spot ... and refused to share. I suggested kindly they return to first grade.
BUT, GET THERE EARLY!