via the lens wrote:
Hi. I live close enough to Yosemite, only an hour and a-half to the gate, to go there several times a year. October, in general, is not a great month for photographs. There are no Dogwoods (flowers), raging waterfalls, snow capped peaks or stormy weather. Most often the fall color does not start until later in the park. Having said all that, the beautiful mountain peaks are always there, with the most iconic being Half Dome and El Capitan. Yosemite Valley is very small and can be very crowded, even in October. The main places that photographers shoot for the iconic shots is Tunnel View, Valley View, Upper/Lower Yosemite Falls and the Lower Fall at the wooden walkway, and Bridelveil Fall and shots of El Capitan and Half Dome from the Merced River or a meadow. There are also two meadows that can be nice if there is mist in the morning. If you like stone bridges there are several that you can get nice shots of. The Merced River can also be nice to photograph. Since you simply drive around the loop to all of these places it's not hard to find them. Get a map when you go through the gate and get familiar with the places to go. Tunnel View is good at sunrise and sunset, depending on weather. Valley View is a better evening shot. Yosemite Falls is probably best in the early morning hours. You can check out my web site to preview some of the sites. Don't go to Yosemite expecting to get wildlife, there is virtually no wildlife in the valley floor. You might see a deer, ravens, and perhaps the backside of a bear in the distance crossing the road or the occasional coyote. If you get an animal shot at all, you got lucky. Yosemite is a beautiful and grand park.
Hi. I live close enough to Yosemite, only an hour... (
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Unfortunately I do agree with this. October is really not the best time to visit. I would add take the road up to Tioga Pass and get out of the valley. Clouds Rest, Lake Tanya, Tuolumne Meadows, etc. Day hikes to Nevada and Vernal falls in the valley. Day hikes anywhere!. The Sequoia Groves off the Hiway 41 entrance.