Yosemite in the Fall is a must for any photographer who wants to experience one of the most photographed and enjoyed of all 63 national parks in the United States.  During these two trips, we were fortunate enough to experience the high country of the Sierra Nevada. In Spanish, this translates to mountains of snow, although John Muir coined these majestic mountains the Range of Light.

Creating a sense of place and honoring those who have come before us are important intentions while on any of my trips. It is this philosophy that drove my decision for us to spend time in Wawona, just past the south entrance to Yosemite National Park. During our visit to the Yosemite History Center, we photograph several historic buildings, including a covered bridge, the former Yosemite Tourism Office, and the original park superintendent’s office. These buildings were moved from various locations throughout the park to make room for more modern facilities. Next, we head off to Chilnualna Falls, a beautiful cascade with scarlet monkey flowers adorning its sides. On our hike, we warm up our legs as well as our lenses, in preparation for the grand beauty that lies ahead of us.

Our excitement builds as we climb in elevation and make our way through Wawona Tunnel. We make a brief stop at Tunnel View, to soak in the splendor and begin to develop a relationship with this magical place.

Off to Tuolumne Grove! It is an honor to be amongst these big trees, some of the oldest and largest living organisms in the world. Our first sunset location is Valley View, where we are treated to beautiful fall foliage and clear reflections. What a wonderful way to start off the first week of Backcountry Journeys Yosemite in the Fall!

We practically run along the banks of the Merced River with childlike giddiness. The fall season offers unique compositional options, as the Merced River runs low and affords more land to shoot from at varying angles. The morning mist adds a beautiful and almost eerie touch.

After grabbing lunch, we head up the John Muir trail in a clockwise fashion to the Mist Trail. This loop is quite challenging, yet well worth the effort. We walk down on tired legs, smiling, ear to ear. It looks as if we have a good chance to catch the sunset from Sentinel Bridge. Yes! The reflecting sunlight off of Half Dome has not yet peaked. We are able to capture some beautiful and colorful images. What a fun-filled and packed to the gills day.

After sunrise at Fat Bear Bend, we head to breakfast at Degnan’s. A friend of mine from the Ansel Adams Gallery informs us that the Tioga Pass Road is due to close sometime tonight due to incoming inclement weather. Oh no. We’re planning on heading to Cathedral Lakes for our hike today. We stay the course. After breakfast, we head up the Tioga Pass Road toward Cathedral Lakes. Lenticular clouds abound, an indication of weather change. As we make it up the second of two major uphill sections, hail begins to fall upon us. It increases in intensity. We make it to our first contact point with Upper Cathedral Lake. Everyone is excited about the photographic opportunities, but we decide to hike to the opposite side of the lake so that Cathedral Peak could be in the background of our compositions.
After capturing some of what we hope to be incredible images, we head back to the near side of the lake. Beautiful red-colored Spring Beauties line granite cracks, creating enticing leading lines.

It’s 4 o’clock and time for us to make our 4+ mile hike back to the van.  With reluctance, we leave this magical area and begin our descent. More hail and full-on snow accompany us off and on throughout our hike downhill. We take off our wet outer layers and shake off our boots. Our van is the last vehicle in the parking lot. The drive back should be interesting. Evidently were the last vehicle making our way down the Tioga Pass Road. Enough snow is falling to create a light-speed-ahead Star Wars experience. We slowly and safely make our way down the hill and back to Yosemite Valley.

We decide to downshift a bit and take on a lighter day of hiking. Sentinel Dome, here we come! This is a last-minute call on my part. With Glacier Point as our final sunset shoot, I researched what short hikes we could do en route. Wow, what a good decision!

Sentinel Dome is incredible, with unparalleled views of Half Dome, Vernal, Nevada, Yosemite Falls, and El Capitan and the Three Brothers down valley. The befallen Jeffrey Pine made famous by Ansel Adams provides interesting shapes and lines.

This trip is chock full of firsts, from Sentinel Dome to Glacier Point to replacing a flat tire. What an amazing experience to say the least!

The second Yosemite in the Fall trip starts off in a similar fashion as the first, with curious and engaging guests, amazing photo opportunities, and the majesty of Yosemite National Park. Yosemite is unique in the sense that the photo opportunities are nearly unsurpassable, even with bluebird skies and no atmosphere. The light-colored 3000-foot tall granite walls that surround us act as a blank canvas sheet to an artist. They reflect such beautiful colors, even in direct sunlight.

It is easy to see why this magical landscape meant so much to John Muir Teddy Roosevelt, Ansel Adams, and hopefully you.

Sunset tonight at Olmsted, Points was off the charts! Hands down, the best sunset I’ve ever witnessed at Yosemite National Park in the roughly 4 years and 12+ trips I’ve been fortunate to guide. Beautiful sherbet, cotton candy color that seems to never end. With a Half Dome as the primary subject, each of us collected several frame-worthy images. I am so excited to process these images when I get back home.

A huge thank you to each guest and to all the staff here at Backcountry Journeys. Happy shooting!