Planning trip to Yosemite NP inJune/July 2017
Feb 7, 2017 23:04:11 #
Oregon Canon 1960
Loc: St. Helens, Oregon
I would like some idea/thous in planning my trip to Yosemite, dates 23 June thru 5 July. The plan is to start by Hodgdon Campground, and visit Hetch Hetchy Res & hike to Tueeulala & Wapama Falls. Continue 26 June thru 30 June Lower Pines Campground and visit Bridal Veil Falls, Wilderness Center, Nature Center, Yosemite Village, Ahwahnee Hotel. Hikes - Mirror Lake, Yosemite Falls, Vernal & Nevada Falls. 1 July thru 4 July at Wawona Campground and visit Glacier Point, Sentinel & Taft Point, Tunnel View, Yosemite West, Pioneer History Center, and Mariposa Grove if it open. On the way out will visit Tuolumne Meadow. I'm also looking for great places to photo wildlife and another places that I may have not listed.
Feb 8, 2017 00:46:45 #
Robeng
Loc: California
Oregon Canon 1960 wrote:
I would like some idea/thous in planning my trip t... (show quote)
Looks like you have most of it cover.
A couple of things, download Michael Frye's Yosemite app and since you're going to be there in the summer months. Consider visiting Mono Lake and the Eastern Sierras.
Rob
Feb 8, 2017 06:36:03 #
Feb 8, 2017 06:41:07 #
Feb 8, 2017 06:43:05 #
We went last June. The biggest advice is, regardless of the light considerations, get there EARLY IN THE DAY!!! We did not stay in the Park, because it was booked way too far in advance. We entered the Park every morning before dawn, and were darned glad we did so. By about 9AM, the crowds get there. By 10AM, there is usually a mammoth line to enter, and you could waste half your day in line, because it crawls. Getting people in the photo is a regular feature, because they are everywhere! So patience is a virgin...I mean virtue, if you want scenery without "people pollution" in them. And speaking of pollution, one of the issue we had was that there were fires going on throughout California, at that time. For the last two days of our stay, the wind had changed and smoke tainted some of our scenery. Nothing you can do about that, except maybe shoot closeup shots...
This photo is a cliche, but despite the occasional issues cited above, the views were magnificent and it was a GREAT visit! Have a terrific trip!!!
This photo is a cliche, but despite the occasional issues cited above, the views were magnificent and it was a GREAT visit! Have a terrific trip!!!
Feb 8, 2017 07:14:00 #
The itinerary sounds a little ambitious given the number of days. I spent a summer there and the issue is the same: too many people. Same experience I just had at Pikes Peak National Park last summer. If you didn't get to the park early, there was no place to park and you were turned around at the entrance. I went there to hike, not to idle in line.....
Feb 8, 2017 07:21:13 #
Oregon Canon 1960 wrote:
I would like some idea/thous in planning my trip t... (show quote)
To cover all of that in two weeks would defiantly be a run and gun trip. I hope you catch the weather right for all of those photos you want.
Feb 8, 2017 08:31:07 #
Get the permit to hike up the Mist Trail to the top of Half Dome.
Feb 8, 2017 08:59:54 #
If you plan on staying in the park you had better get reservation NOW or you might not be able because everything is booked leaving you with the option of tenting it.
Feb 8, 2017 09:20:20 #
Park reservation have to be made 1+ years in advance.
Feb 8, 2017 09:48:37 #
daf40
Loc: Mesa, AZ
One of my favorite trails in Yosemite is the Four-mile trail between Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point. You can take it in either direction (up or down) and take a shuttle back to your starting point. Great Yosemite Falls photo ops and Yosemite Valley photo ops all the way up (or down). I much prefer this hike to the more difficult Yosemite Falls hike (and much less crowded).
Feb 8, 2017 09:48:55 #
Hope you can get reservations. Yosemite is EXTREMELY crowded in the summer, especially in the valley and Tuolumne Meadows, so much so that I have decided to avoid it during this time of year there. With the abnormally heavy snowfall so far this winter, you may find some trails difficult to navigate, even in early July. I have seen snow still 10 feet deep in mid June at Tioga Pass. Hope you can fit it all in during your trip.....looks pretty ambitious. If you need to cancel any planned activities, make sure your trip up to Galcier Point is not one of them. The view from there is jaw dropping. Enjoy!
Feb 8, 2017 10:17:52 #
daf40 wrote:
One of my favorite trails in Yosemite is the Four-mile trail between Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point. You can take it in either direction (up or down) and take a shuttle back to your starting point. Great Yosemite Falls photo ops and Yosemite Valley photo ops all the way up (or down). I much prefer this hike to the more difficult Yosemite Falls hike (and much less crowded).
Excellent advice.
Feb 8, 2017 10:21:55 #
As a photographer who has taken many a trips over the past many years to Yosemite, your timing will be wonderful with high flows from all the waterfalls, however the place will be crowded in the "Valley". If you don't already have accommodations inside the Valley, you're going to be hard pressed to find a place. Sunrise at Mirror Lake and the trail up to Vernal Falls are also suggestions. Early morning breakfast at the Ahwahnee Hotel (currently called the Majestic) dining hall is also a wonderful experience. Also be sure to visit in Yosemite Valley the Ansel Adams Gallery. Finally, it does seem for the time allocated and the places you want to see, you will be trying to put 5 lbs into a 3 lb bag! There is simply too much to see and too much to do once you get there.
Feb 8, 2017 12:00:05 #
I live in California and go there on occasion. I think you are hitting all the right spots. I am wondering if you should not also plan for including people in some of your photos? The majesty of the valley is unquestionable and will be like shooting fish in a barrel as far as scenery goes. There could be some interesting studies on human nature as well as nature. I happened to look back whilst shooting and caught all my fellow photogs doing exactly what I was doing!
The falls will be flowing so a good tripod and ND filter will give you the usual wispy water shots as well.
The falls will be flowing so a good tripod and ND filter will give you the usual wispy water shots as well.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.