I've been to Yosemite several times, but only once outside winter, and then it was in peak summer. I'm trying to figure out when is the best time to be shooting in the valley in spring, when the valley turns lush green and there are still pools of water in places like Cook's meadow. Is first week of May too early? Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks.
Kartik
Posted by Lon Overacker on April 19, 2010 at 5:04 PM
Kartik,
First week of May is a very good bet. I've been there the first week of May the last two years. There should be dogwoods in all phases and of course the waterfalls will be booming and I expect water in the meadows as you mentioned.
Having said that, be prepared for anything including most likely, rain, and in somewhat rare occasions, snow. And as anyone familiar with Yosemite knows... the conditions for a "clearing storm" are pretty good during May.
Every year is different and my unscientific prediction is that spring may be a little late considering many late season storms including the snow that fell in the valley less than 2 weeks ago. So I think the 2nd week could be prime too. You can't really go wrong any time between now and before and excluding Memorial weekend!
I went last year during the last week in April, and the dogwoods were just starting to come out. Mostly they were buds. I agree with Lon: my nonscientific guess, based on what has been happening in the rest of California so far, is that spring is later this year by at least a week, maybe more. First week in May will probably be just the beginning of the dogwoods. Just my guess though. The falls will be glorious. If you have a choice and dogwood bloom is a high priority, I would vote for second or third week in May this year.
Posted by Floyd Hopper on April 19, 2010 at 11:18 PM
Kartik.
You may want check out this website:http://www.michaelfrye.com/landscape-photography-blog/
Discussion
3 repliesI've been to Yosemite several times, but only once outside winter, and then it was in peak summer. I'm trying to figure out when is the best time to be shooting in the valley in spring, when the valley turns lush green and there are still pools of water in places like Cook's meadow. Is first week of May too early? Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks.
Kartik
First week of May is a very good bet. I've been there the first week of May the last two years. There should be dogwoods in all phases and of course the waterfalls will be booming and I expect water in the meadows as you mentioned.
Having said that, be prepared for anything including most likely, rain, and in somewhat rare occasions, snow. And as anyone familiar with Yosemite knows... the conditions for a "clearing storm" are pretty good during May.
Every year is different and my unscientific prediction is that spring may be a little late considering many late season storms including the snow that fell in the valley less than 2 weeks ago. So I think the 2nd week could be prime too. You can't really go wrong any time between now and before and excluding Memorial weekend!
Lon
You may want check out this website:http://www.michaelfrye.com/landscape-photography-blog/