I am considering a long road trip starting July 23. I have never been to Yosemite NP, and would love to photograph it but....
Is there just going to be too many people there at that time of year, I know that is a very subjective Q. Maybe asked this way, will I be elbow to elbow with other photogs everywhere I go?
Is there a choice camp ground to try to get into? Once close ideal shooting locations?
Will the seasonal water flow be too diminished to make for great photos?
Any other advice or suggestions would be appreciated.
Yosemite Valley in late July-early August will be very crowded, and it will be hot. I suggest that you stay in the Yosemite High Country, i.e. the Tuolumne Meadows--up to Tioga Pass area. It will be much cooler, but still crowded. You also will have good access to the Mono Lake area, and of course the high country mountains, domes, meadows, and lakes. Since you've not been to The Valley, you could make a day trip down there and then head back up country in the evening.
Water flow over Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil will have diminished drastically from spring flow. Since one can get up close and personal with Lower Yosemite and Bridalveil at very low water, nice photos can be had (just be very careful!). Vernal and Nevada should still be nice looking, but their flow will be reduced, as well.
Personally, I find the Valley too hot, stuffy, and crowded during the summer; so, I head to the High Country.
You certainly won't be elbow to elbow with photographers - they don't go to Yosemite in July. Ok, that was a bit sarcastic, so I'm sorry about that. But you will be competing with all the tourists who will have cameras too. It will be crowded and for many, unbearably crowded in and around Yosemite Village.
But if your road trip happens to take you by Yosemite, you shouldn't pass it up. Water will still be flowing and as Preston mentioned, offer some opportunities to get closer to the base of the falls than it would be at peak flow.
I'll second Preston's suggestion about the high country and exploring Tioga Pass. Google Yosemite for camping reservations, it may be late to get some reservations in the park, but you can hope for a cancellation. Now, depending on where you're coming from and what other destinations you're planning, like Preston, I would also recommend the east side. If you're up on Tioga Pass, it's pretty quick and easy to jump down to 395. Camping should be easy and plentiful in the many canyons, Lee Vining, Lundy, etc. And of course you could do a sunrise/sunset at Mono Lake. The ghost town of Bodie is a quick 40min from Lee Vining.
I'd say make a base camp on the East side and make a day trip in to the valley and another day trip exploring Tioga Pass if you want to. It should take about 2 hours or so to get to the valley proper from Lee Vining.
The summer wildflower season should be strong, if you have the time, you might want to go north on 395 to highway 108 and the Sonora pass. Iris and other summer flowers are usually abundant - although in any given year the peak could be earlier than late July.
Lot's of opportunities. Give us a little more of your agenda and we can get more specific..
If you end up visiting the Yosemite valley, at least do it mid-week. It will still be extremely crowded and a zoo, but probably not as bad as a weekend. As suggested, staying in the higher areas will help some with the crowds, but still prepare for traffic and congestion on the roads.
Thanks a lot for the suggestions guys. Some more specifics. The only reason I am considering Yosemite is because I have a conference I am attending in San Francisco, and will be driving from Flagstaff. I want to take 3 weeks and do a large circuit, with probably Mt Jefferson and Yellowstone being the top northern most corners of the route. Other areas I am considering which I have not been to include Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Lassen Volcanic, Crater lake, Rocky Mountain and Red Wood (which I have been to once). Of course I can't visit all these locations but just ones I am wanting to consider. Yelllowstone is certain I have been there a few times and love it, need my wildlife fix. Any other suggestions would be great. I would even be open to areas I have not mentioned.
Thanks, Shane
Posted by Rodney Ninow on July 5, 2010 at 12:03 AM
This year is a very high water year. You should still see very good flow in a few weeks. That being said, mid week is best. You aren't going to find a campground opening in the valley as they all book five months in advance. Your next best choice are some of the first come first served campgrounds outside the valley. Off the Tioga Road there are several and off Glacier Point rd there is one. Get to the CG at check out time and find someone who is leaving and claim your spot.
I agree with everyone else about the crowded valley and staying in the high country and coming down midweek to see the waterfalls. I would also suggest you might drive 395 one way and come in or go out the east side of the of the high country. This would give you good views of the Eastern Sierra, a opportunity to stop at Mono Lake. There are also excellent wildflower trails on the east side. I suggest checking out Michael Frye's blog on Yosemite:http://www.michaelfrye.com/yosemite-journal/ I have posted a few entries on my blog that might help. Start here with a recent post I did on this year's Sierra Nevada Wildflower bloom; it includes links to other related posts: http://naturalhistorywanderings.com/2010/06/19/sierra-nevada-wildflower-report-expect-a-late-season/
Sandy Steinman http://naturalhistorywanderings.com
Shane,
If you have never seen Yosemite Valley, it is certainly worth a visit, even in the middle of summer. For the comments, you recognize the the most crowded time is summer. Preston and Lon's suggestions are good. You could easily spend two weeks exploring many classic high country locations out of the east side, along 396. If you are willing to walk in, there are many great places to backpack in off of the Tioga Road in the park. Have fun. Best Regards.
Shane,
Very good points by all. I was just there last week for two days and stayed up in the high country. This is a very high water year and in the high country there is still lots of snow. Waterfalls should be going strong for your trip although somewhat diminished from spring. To me, the high country is just as beautiful as the valley floor with out as many tourists. Don't get me wrong there are still going to be a ton of tourists in the high country but in the valley you can't even drive your car. Bumper to bumper. I would day trip to the valley floor from Tioga (no more than 1-1/2 to 2 hours with excellent opportunities all along the way for photos and there is lots of snow on the high mountain peaks. One caveat....the high country is high, between 9,000 and 10,000 feet so it's good to spend a little bit of time there before treking all over the place to get aclimated. The person I was with got altitude sickness the first day, wasn't fun. I really don't think you will have any luck getting a camping reservation now. As has been stated above those were all gone 5 months ago.
By the way there are good shooting locations every where you look. You will be tempted to just start pressing the shutter at everything you see so no need to feel like you have to be close to one camp ground or another.
Whatever you do, get some good photos, post them for us to see and have a great time.
Discussion
9 repliesIs there just going to be too many people there at that time of year, I know that is a very subjective Q. Maybe asked this way, will I be elbow to elbow with other photogs everywhere I go?
Is there a choice camp ground to try to get into? Once close ideal shooting locations?
Will the seasonal water flow be too diminished to make for great photos?
Any other advice or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks,shane
Water flow over Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil will have diminished drastically from spring flow. Since one can get up close and personal with Lower Yosemite and Bridalveil at very low water, nice photos can be had (just be very careful!). Vernal and Nevada should still be nice looking, but their flow will be reduced, as well.
Personally, I find the Valley too hot, stuffy, and crowded during the summer; so, I head to the High Country.
--P
You certainly won't be elbow to elbow with photographers - they don't go to Yosemite in July.
But if your road trip happens to take you by Yosemite, you shouldn't pass it up. Water will still be flowing and as Preston mentioned, offer some opportunities to get closer to the base of the falls than it would be at peak flow.
I'll second Preston's suggestion about the high country and exploring Tioga Pass. Google Yosemite for camping reservations, it may be late to get some reservations in the park, but you can hope for a cancellation. Now, depending on where you're coming from and what other destinations you're planning, like Preston, I would also recommend the east side. If you're up on Tioga Pass, it's pretty quick and easy to jump down to 395. Camping should be easy and plentiful in the many canyons, Lee Vining, Lundy, etc. And of course you could do a sunrise/sunset at Mono Lake. The ghost town of Bodie is a quick 40min from Lee Vining.
I'd say make a base camp on the East side and make a day trip in to the valley and another day trip exploring Tioga Pass if you want to. It should take about 2 hours or so to get to the valley proper from Lee Vining.
The summer wildflower season should be strong, if you have the time, you might want to go north on 395 to highway 108 and the Sonora pass. Iris and other summer flowers are usually abundant - although in any given year the peak could be earlier than late July.
Lot's of opportunities. Give us a little more of your agenda and we can get more specific..
Lon
Thanks, Shane
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/campground.htm
Sandy Steinman
http://naturalhistorywanderings.com
If you have never seen Yosemite Valley, it is certainly worth a visit, even in the middle of summer. For the comments, you recognize the the most crowded time is summer. Preston and Lon's suggestions are good. You could easily spend two weeks exploring many classic high country locations out of the east side, along 396. If you are willing to walk in, there are many great places to backpack in off of the Tioga Road in the park. Have fun. Best Regards.
Very good points by all. I was just there last week for two days and stayed up in the high country. This is a very high water year and in the high country there is still lots of snow. Waterfalls should be going strong for your trip although somewhat diminished from spring. To me, the high country is just as beautiful as the valley floor with out as many tourists. Don't get me wrong there are still going to be a ton of tourists in the high country but in the valley you can't even drive your car. Bumper to bumper. I would day trip to the valley floor from Tioga (no more than 1-1/2 to 2 hours with excellent opportunities all along the way for photos and there is lots of snow on the high mountain peaks. One caveat....the high country is high, between 9,000 and 10,000 feet so it's good to spend a little bit of time there before treking all over the place to get aclimated. The person I was with got altitude sickness the first day, wasn't fun. I really don't think you will have any luck getting a camping reservation now. As has been stated above those were all gone 5 months ago.
By the way there are good shooting locations every where you look. You will be tempted to just start pressing the shutter at everything you see so no need to feel like you have to be close to one camp ground or another.
Whatever you do, get some good photos, post them for us to see and have a great time.