February 18 Horsetail Falls Report

I am posting this as a new topic since there are a few members heading up this weekend.

Due to winter storm conditions I did not head out to Taft point for an overnighter as planned. Instead I drove up for the day with a friend. We decided to post ourselves at the El Capitan Picnic area (Northside Drive is open as far as the picnic ground)the falls were just a thin wisp of water. So thin, I had to point them out with my binoculars to other photographers as they arrived and asked "Where are the falls?"

As the magic moment approached the valley walls were suddenly consumed by a veil of fog. Fortunately it cleared up, but the sunset, filtered through the fog and low clouds did not produce the desired effect. With a little adjustment in lightrooom I was able to produce the attached image. Can YOU find the falls?

Hopefully the warm weather over the next few days will melt some of the snow in the high country and produce more water.

For all those heading up this weekend I am wishing you an abundance of water and a clear sunset.

Paul

That sucks. I almost went up there yesterday but had a scheduling conflict. There's got to be a lot of snow up there, maybe it just needs a little time to melt.

Thanks for the trip report!

Paul, I do see the falls as you had asked, and yes, they really are pretty much a wisp from what I can make out. Truthfully, your angle of view here for what could be picked up looks perfect to me, too bad the overall conditions where not optimal on this day.
I think I've stated this story before about one of my trips to the Tetons one year. As I was setup at the Snake River Overlook one morning the conditions were lousy. There was only one other shooter out there. As we packed up to leave he stated "well, that's the Tetons for you". Which I replied, "oh really, where do you live"? He responded, "in Jackson". Needless to say, it was a bit further for me to get there to see a fog bank that morning then the 15 mile drive he had taken to see it.

Thanks for the report on the falls, Paul. A group of us from Merced are planning on going
to the park this afternoon for Horsetail Falls. Maybe will reconsider.

Robert,

I don't want to discourage anyone from a trip to Yosemite, just wanted to give a heads up. Cozy up close to the falls unless you have some very long glass. The temperatures today are warmer and there is a chance there may be more water in the falls. Today and tomorrow might be the best opportunities for the light with the next storm moving in this weekend. I may try again next tuesday.

Paul

Paul,

Thanks for the update. I like the image btw - and yes, I can tell where the water is, although obviously not much flowing. With the warmer temps, yesterday, today and tommorrow and the recent dumpings, I'm really hopeful about the conditions the next couple of days.

Robert, it's of course ALWAYS a crap shoot, but personally I think today and Friday are perhaps the best chances this season. And with a full day of sun today, the water should be flowing better than what Paul got to see. Tommorrow starts to bring partly cloudy weather and over the weekend a chance of showers. So tonight may be a good night. I'll be watching the webcams to see what's happening.

I'll be up there Friday! whoo hoo!

Lon

Scary Paul, you are like the grim reaper of the Horsetail Falls.

Somebody posted a nice shot on the 19th on dpreview
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=31068407

I hope some of you made it up there.