CanonShot Loc: Lancaster County, PA

I have the opportunity to visit Yosemite during mid October. Photography, of course, is the mainstay of the trip. Having been there in 2017 in late August, I got many neat pix and adjusted to the smoky haze from the Starr Fire. Thus, got to go when the getting is good this year.


Knowing very little about the "average" weather expectations for mid October, what are conditions likely to be? Any other thoughts would be helpful from those who know the area at this time of year, including any mid fall "don't miss" opportunities.

Dr.Nikon Loc: Honolulu Hawaii

October will be full of color .. the attached shots show the colors as shot from the Mist Trail starting at Glacier Point ...
The attached shots don’t show the clarity ..only the color ... so enjoy October in Yosemite..

Start at Glacier Point and hike the Mist Trail ..

15 min form Glacier Point on the trail

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20 minutes into the trail from Glacier Point

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20 min down the trail headed for the Mist Trail

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10 minutes on the trail from Glacier Point

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jdub82 Loc: Northern California

One of the advantages of visiting Yosemite in October is that it won't be crowded at that time of year. The most intense fall colors sometime come a little later than mid-October. Late October is likely better for fall color. For an example, when we visited the first week of November last year, the fall colors were still at their peak at that time. However, the weather should be very pleasant, probably in the 60's during the daytime in Yosemite Valley. Unless the rains have started early, the falls will likely be very low at that time. However, there are always awesome photo opportunities in Yosemite. Glacier point road should be open through October, so you can get some great shots of the park from there, including a incredible view of Half Dome.

CanonShot Loc: Lancaster County, PA

That's magnificent and appreciate the related info.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

There are advantages to earlier mid versus later mid October. Earlier mid, you would likely have Tioga Road still open, and it's more than wonderful then. Fall color comes earlier there than in the Valley, and at the outside edge of Tioga (Lee Vining area) you have easy access to all the wonderful canyons with their bright aspen foliage, Mono Lake, Bodie, Conway summit, all in a few minutes of that access point. Sunsets on the lakes along Tioga were the prettiest I've ever seen. My favorite sunset photos ever came from Tenaya Lake the second week in October.

But the other poster was right that later in October produces more vibrant color on the Valley floor. It will be uncrowded, which is good, but some of the waterfalls may have dried up, which is bad. The big trees are great any time of year.

Having done both, I preferred the Tioga option where I could explore the periphery of the park on the east side too, but it is pretty wonderful either way. The weather was variable on both my trips. There were warm days where no jacket was required, and there was a driving snowstorm that melted pretty quickly but was enough to close Tioga Road. There were rainy days and clear ones. So you need a variety of clothes. Layers worked well for me. The skies were pretty dramatic both times, great photo weather.

Photocraig

You have been well advised by the previous posts. Let me add the practicality of A Sierra October. It is unpredictable to the max. When I Lived in Truckee at 6000 feet elevation I had frost and snow as early a Labor Day. We had ski areas open at 6000 feet elevation for Halloween.

My advice beyond photography is to be sure to be using a 4 wheel Drive vehicle. In addition be sure to layer your clothing including a waterproof/windproof shell outer layer. For footwear, solid hiking boots that are waterproof. OR, be sure you have something like a Sorel boot with a rubber lower, and insulated Pac lining. All this stuff is bulky to pack, but cold in the mountains can be fatal.

The Tioga Pass entrance closes depending on the snow load on the road. It is a very high pass 9943 feet. It has been closed as early as late October. And the road to Tuolumne Meadows the center of accessible Yosemite High Country can close as early as then, too.

If it is a heavy snow year like last year, access to the park may require 4WD or chains--be sure your rental (if that's your mode of transport) has them--but 4WD is better. As a transplanted New Yorker and a sales rep who covered New england, I knew (like you do) how to drive on Ice and Snow before, BUT the altitude of the California mountains combined with massive Eastward flowing Pacific moisture can produce conditions yielding FEET of snow per hour. There is a major difference in trip planning and safety.

Early is better than later in October, and Yosemite is accessible year round from the Western side, but subject to closures which may be inconvenient to your timing. It that happens, a contingency alternative is go to Lake Tahoe. Interstate 80 is open year round and while different, Tahoe is beautiful and exceptionally photogenic.

You should be just fine, I'm trying to help you prepare for the outside possibility that the weather turns bad. The Pacific storm stream which had been interrupted for a few years through 2017 has resumed in 2018-9 with record Sierra snowfall. Should that continue through this year, which would represent normal weather, you should monitor it and be prepared. Google Winter in Yosemite for some great information, and CALTRANS has road infor available at 1-800-427-7623 put it in you phone.

Fall in Yosemite is a dream. Enjoy and make it a good dream.
C

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Call the park office, they will have the information you seek.

Kingman

You will be likely blessed for a wonderful time in Yosemite Valley for fall colors in October. Many years ago (film era) when I lived in the SF Bay Area (3.5 hour drive, one way), I had planned well in advanced for a specific mid October weekend stay for the climax of fall peak colors in the Valley. There was a specific afternoon shot I wanted in Stoneman's Meadow, just under El Capitan. The weekend I arrived was wonderful and got many of the shots I wanted but the specific shot I wanted in Stoneman's Meadow was just not right, the trees were NOT at color climax. The trees needed 7 more days and I knew I had to drive back the next weekend to get the shot I wanted and hoped that the weather would not be cloudy. The next Saturday, I drove up for the afternoon and shot many rolls of film from that one location and drove home. Long day for one specific location, but it was worth it! Enjoy, yourself! I no longer live in the State to simply drive up...I miss it greatly!

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

The conditions can change as others have noted. We were there October 13 and it was beautiful. Here is one part of our trip, taken on the June Lake Loop off of US 395 before we entered Yosemite via Tioga Pass: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-565863-1.html