irve Loc: Southern CA

Any suggestions? My first trip there...

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

You can never have enough time to explore Yosemite. My suggestions:

Half Dome. The granite dome in the background is Yosemite's most popular rock formation: Half Dome. ...
Tuolumne Meadows. Discover this meadowy section of Yosemite along the Tuolumne River. ...
El Capitan. ...
Valley View. ...
Lembert Dome. ...
Tunnel View. ...
Cathedral Peak. ...
Bridalveil Fall.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Stay out of the valley. I worked there a long time ago. Another place ruined by too many people.... stay in the high country....

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Lots of closures due to epic snowfall. Tioga Pass had up to 50 ft of snow on it in early April. They only started clearing it on April 15th, and the rangers were thinking it may be open by July 4th.

Valley is the only choice at the moment. Both Tioga and Mariposa Grove, as well as Rt 120 are all closed. Wawona has one lane open, so lots of delays on 41. El Portal/140 is the only way in from the west, so it will take hours to get through.

Check here for current conditions.

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
http://www.localconditions.com/weather-yosemite-national-park-california/95389/traffic.php

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Hi, I live an hour and one-half away from the park and just got back from two days there. Normally, in May, up until Memorial Day, the park is not too crowded. This year, it was a mad-house, as the saying goes, completely sold out and scores of people. On top of that, there is road construction and repaving all over the park: winter really messed up a lot of the roads in the park. I turned up the road to try and see Bridalveil Fall and there was a traffic jam getting into the parking lot so I turned around (this was on a Wed-Thur, not a weekend). There is also talk of flooding because it is getting warm here and there is just way too much snow and a portion of the park is still under water in some places. Getting to see anything is almost impossible so be fore-warned that every place you want to go will be packed with people and/or cars and buses. Everyone wants to see the water falls, which are impressive of course. Upper and lower Yosemite Falls is a big draw as is Bridalveil Fall, these are very short hikes so are popular. You'll need to hike a mile if you want to see Nevada and and Vernal Falls (you take the bus to Happy Isles and get off at the nature center), then another mile or so up Mist Trail, which will get you soaked and is a difficult hike. Glacier Point road opened today (5-11) and there is an impressive view of the valley from there, it's about 30 minutes or more from the valley floor. It gets more expensive every year, it seems, to get into the park and the car price is $30, so buy a senior pass if you or someone with you is 62 or over, only $10. Cathedral Beach is under water for the most part so you cannot shoot El Capitan from there right now. Sorry if I sound pessimistic but there is reason for that.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Route 120 is open.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Too early to get into the high country, although Glacier Point Road opened today.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Lembert Dome is Tioga Road and that is currently closed.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Tuolumne Meadows is not open yet. The valley looks more and more like Disneyland every time I go there, is three or four times a year between September and May. I normally go up to Tuolumne Meadows once time in late summer. This time in the valley I ended up behind a flatbed truck with seats loaded with tourists a couple of times...could not believe it!!

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Exactly what has ruined it for me. I'd rather remember it like it was. Same reason I no longer visit the waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge or share other favorite places. GD tourists have ruined it. It's a shame, but it is what it is.

ejfin Loc: SF Bay area

I went last week and 120 was open to the valley.

TheDoctor Loc: NoVa

Your date may put you there before the full "Summer Crowds" so that is probably a bonus.
Explore, explore, explore then wander and explore some more.
Wide Angle and T-P lenses.
Valley, River, Meadows, Falls. The lakes at higher elevations up towards Tioga Pass.
The view from Glacier Point is quite awesome, IMHO.

Take plenty of camera media, (cards/film); more than you think you'll need. Extra batteries and or car charger for your battery type.

treadwl Loc: South Florida

There will be lots of great photo opts but thebest tip is be out there for sunrise and the following golden hour and then be there for the golden hour just before sunset and and at sunset. You might try nighttime shooting and get the stars of some of the peaks. You can sleep during the day,but do not miss the golden hours!

philo Loc: philo, ca

Don't knock the GD tourist............we are one. i want to get back to Yosemite this year, but because of the jams all over the place I think I will put it off for a while.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Not the case this year as I wrote earlier and Tioga Pass is still closed.