Posted by Ed Cordes on January 23, 2008 at 1:42 PM
My wife and I will be in Anaheim California in middle October for a professional conference. We have an additional week to spend if we want. We thought of driving to Yosemite and staying a few days. I know the water will be down so the falls will be sparse. However, is Yosemite still a viable place for photography in October? Is there a better alternative.
October is actually one of my favorite times. Fall colors can be great, crowds are thin, and if you're lucky the road to Tioga Pass will be open. If you don't want to stay in the park, consider Mariposa. It's more of a drive, but the shots along the river can be fantastic.
If you stay there, don't miss Sal's restraunt. Probably some of the best home style Mexican food I've ever had so far from the border, and it's cheap. If you aren't in Mariposa, visit El Portal on Thursdays, I think it is. Check with the Parkies in case days and times have changed, but once a week he drives his "roach coach" up there for sales. Lines get long so be patient, because it's popular with the Parkies.
Posted by Don George on January 23, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Hi Ed, Great time of the year as Hank says. I've also been there the end of April when the waterfalls were great and the tree's were in bloom. Its important to avoid the end of May-Mid September because of the CROWDS! If your going to be in the area and have the time by all means go and see it, its awesome! Weekdays of course are better than weekends.
Posted by Stan Rose on January 23, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Yep Yosemite is great no matter the time of year, but to reiterate the crowds are insane regardless of the day, month, or season. If you want to avoid the shopping mall, get out of the valley and hit the backcountry. There are dozens of alternatives: Joshua tree, Death Valley, the coast, Kings/Sequoia. "Better" depends on your personal tastes and objectives.
It could also vary depending on weather conditions (snow in the high country is quite possible in October). If you've never been to Yosemite before, than id say it's probably the 'best' because it's one of those "must-see" places.
Posted by Dan Baumbach on January 24, 2008 at 10:49 AM
I disagree with Stan. In mid October, I don't think the crowds will be insane. The valley will never be empty but there will be plenty of places to go where you'll see very few people. One great thing about doing morning shoots or shooting in the rain is that your usually by yourself or see a couple of other photographers.
In mid October, there's a good chance that Tioga Pass will be open and you'll amazing less crowded landscapes there.
But, if you've never been to Yosemite Valley, even with crowds, it's a must see.
- Dan.
Posted by Toni Lankerd on January 24, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Ed, I was there a few years ago the first week in October, and yes there were people there, but it was not crowded by any means. If you have the chance, by all means, go...you won't regret it. As Dan said, Yosemite is a must see if you've not been there before.
Posted by Mike DiVita on January 24, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Ed,
As others have said, October is a great time for fall color in Yosemite. It isn't as crowded as the summer but it is still pretty busy. You should book your rooms well in advance, maybe even right now, if you want to stay in the valley. I prefer staying in the valley since you can just walk out your door and walk a few minutes and start shooting. Although Yosemite Falls probably wont be flowing very much, there are other waterfalls like Bridalveil, Vernal, and Nevada which typically flow year round. Another area to check out would be the eastern sierra side with Mono Lake and Bodie State Park.
Mid October is a wonderful time of year in The Valley. As others have said, there will be people, but it will not be anywhere near the insanity of summertime.
The Tioga Pass road (CA 120) sometimes suffers short-term closeures during October due to snow/ice. If the road is open, it is a wonderful drive over the pass and down into the Mono Basin/Mono Lake. Fall color should still be nice, particularly in LeeVining Canyon and around the June Lake Loop.
As Micheal says: Yosemite is a viable place for photography 365 days. It is indeed sublime anytime of year.
-PB
Posted by Lon Overacker on January 24, 2008 at 3:13 PM
Ed,
Since you're not going in the summer and school is in session, like others have said you won't have a problem with crowds. Park the car, get out and walk and you can be alone in a couple of minutes.
There are plenty of worthy alternatives, but you can't beat Yosemite. Now if you have an entire week and depending on your style and traveling likes and flexibility, a weeks time may be just enough to make the entire loop: LA to Yosemite, 3days - then over Tioga Pass and enjoy the Eastern Sierra (Mono Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining, Mammoth, Bishop, Alabama Hills, Whitney, Bristlecones) and then back to LA, 4 days. Or, you could even reverse the trip - but is more risky if the passes happen to close and you would miss Yosemite.
Another alternative is taking the coast highway (Highway 1) up to Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey. This time of year is beautiful on the coast, the fog is usually gone and the climate is still relatively warm.
When times gets close, post us another reminder in CANP and we can give you more details on places to see, etc.
Discussion
9 repliesIf you stay there, don't miss Sal's restraunt. Probably some of the best home style Mexican food I've ever had so far from the border, and it's cheap. If you aren't in Mariposa, visit El Portal on Thursdays, I think it is. Check with the Parkies in case days and times have changed, but once a week he drives his "roach coach" up there for sales. Lines get long so be patient, because it's popular with the Parkies.
It could also vary depending on weather conditions (snow in the high country is quite possible in October). If you've never been to Yosemite before, than id say it's probably the 'best' because it's one of those "must-see" places.
In mid October, there's a good chance that Tioga Pass will be open and you'll amazing less crowded landscapes there.
But, if you've never been to Yosemite Valley, even with crowds, it's a must see.
- Dan.
As others have said, October is a great time for fall color in Yosemite. It isn't as crowded as the summer but it is still pretty busy. You should book your rooms well in advance, maybe even right now, if you want to stay in the valley. I prefer staying in the valley since you can just walk out your door and walk a few minutes and start shooting. Although Yosemite Falls probably wont be flowing very much, there are other waterfalls like Bridalveil, Vernal, and Nevada which typically flow year round. Another area to check out would be the eastern sierra side with Mono Lake and Bodie State Park.
Mike
The Tioga Pass road (CA 120) sometimes suffers short-term closeures during October due to snow/ice. If the road is open, it is a wonderful drive over the pass and down into the Mono Basin/Mono Lake. Fall color should still be nice, particularly in LeeVining Canyon and around the June Lake Loop.
As Micheal says: Yosemite is a viable place for photography 365 days. It is indeed sublime anytime of year.
-PB
Since you're not going in the summer and school is in session, like others have said you won't have a problem with crowds. Park the car, get out and walk and you can be alone in a couple of minutes.
There are plenty of worthy alternatives, but you can't beat Yosemite. Now if you have an entire week and depending on your style and traveling likes and flexibility, a weeks time may be just enough to make the entire loop: LA to Yosemite, 3days - then over Tioga Pass and enjoy the Eastern Sierra (Mono Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining, Mammoth, Bishop, Alabama Hills, Whitney, Bristlecones) and then back to LA, 4 days. Or, you could even reverse the trip - but is more risky if the passes happen to close and you would miss Yosemite.
Another alternative is taking the coast highway (Highway 1) up to Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey. This time of year is beautiful on the coast, the fog is usually gone and the climate is still relatively warm.
When times gets close, post us another reminder in CANP and we can give you more details on places to see, etc.
Lon