"Y" is for Yosemite

If you have never been to Yosemite, or are just looking for when and where to go for the best photo opportunities, here is a grand tour of the valley. Yosemite is quite large and the valley represents a small part of the park. Having said that, you could spend a week here and not see everything the valley has to offer. 

I have numbered the map below and included a small photo to represent what is located at this location, or the view from this location. 

Larger photos with descriptions are located below the map. I included more photos in the Yosemite Valley Gallery. Click here to view. 

#1 Pohono Bridge

This is a view of Pohono Bridge. Once you enter this bridge, the road becomes one-way and you are on what is called Southside Drive. You have 3 opportunities to cross the Merced River to reach Northside Drive after this, but it pays to plan your your day to minimize doing that because it adds a lot of time. 

And this is the view from Pohono Bridge. There is a small turn out right after Pohono Bridge where you can park and walk back to the Bridge. 

Best time to photograph: Year round | Early morning, or late afternoon; shade or overcast light.  

#2 Fern Spring

Fern Spring can be easily missed, but if you stop at the first turnout on your right after Pohono Bridge, you can see it almost immediately. The water flows from an underground spring and some people fill up their water bottles here.

Best time to photograph: Year round | Early morning, or late afternoon; shade or overcast light. 

#3 Tunnel View

To get here, take the first right turn (heading towards Wawona) after Pohono Bridge, you will arrive at Tunnel View, on your right, within 3 minutes. 

Best time to photograph: Year round | Late afternoon to sunset

#4 Bridalveil Falls

Bridalveil is one of the only falls in the valley to run year round. You can access these falls on your way to Tunnel View or on the way back. You also have an opportunity to get this photo from Northside drive, just before you reach Valley View. 

Best time to photograph: March, April, May, and June | Late afternoon to sunset 

#5 Cathedral Beach 

There are many places within the valley that you can see El Capitan. This is a good location if you want a good water reflection. There is a picnic area and restrooms here as well. 

Best time to shoot: Year round | Early morning, Late afternoon in the winter months as well 

#6 Swinging Bridge 

Swinging Bridge is a good location to photograph Upper Yosemite Falls. Parking is limited here and it often fills up, so be prepared. There is a picnic area and restrooms here as well. 

Swinging Bridge also allows for easy and safe access to the water, which makes it a good spot to photograph ice patterns in the winter. 

Best time to shoot: February through May (or anytime of year with good snowmelt) | Early morning 

#7 Chapel 

The Yosemite Chapel is a great photo subject any time of the year. It is a popular destination for weddings as well. 

Best time to photograph: Year round | Early morning, or late afternoon; shade or overcast light.

#8 Stoneman Bridge 

Stoneman Bridge is a very popular spot to photograph Half Dome. It is not uncommon to see the bridge lined with photographers in the late afternoon. 

Best time to photograph: Year round | Late afternoon to sunset 

#9 Vernal Falls

Vernal Falls is not accessible by car, like the other locations above. It requires a 1.6 mile round trip hike, rated moderate difficulty. The best time to photograph it is in the spring, when the snowmelt produces a good flow. This is probably one of the most popular hikes in the valley, so prepare for a crowded trail unless you hike it early morning, or on a weekday in the off season. 

Best time to photograph: April through June | Late afternoon 

#10 Nevada Falls 

This is Nevada Falls and Liberty Cap photographed from the John Muir Trail. You can see by the water stains that the falls are much larger when there is snowmelt feeding the Merced River. You can hike to the top of the falls and cross over the river via a bridge. If you do a day hike to Half Dome, this is a great spot to stop for breakfast. 

Best time to photograph: April through June | Late afternoon

#11 Mirror Lake 

Mirror Lake is a small, seasonal lake that requires a 2 mile round trip hike. There is a service road where you can bike most of the way as well.

If you hike it in spring, the water levels are typically good and there are dogwoods blooming along the way. 

Best time to photograph: March through June | Late afternoon 

#12 Cooks Meadow 

Cooks Meadow is another popular spot for photographers. There is a long stretch of road here that provides ample parking, but it fills up quickly. You might also see deer or even the occasional bear in this area. 

Best time to photograph: Year round | Sunrise and late afternoon. 

#13 Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls 

These falls can be viewed from so many different locations within the park, but one good location is right next to Cooks Meadow. If you are parking or taking the shuttle to Cooks Meadow, you can access the flat, paved trail that takes you to the base of the lower falls from here. There is a newer restroom facility here as well. 

Best time to photograph: February through May (or anytime of year with good snowmelt) | Early morning

#14 Cathedral Spires 

The reflection pond is seasonal and gives you a chance to capture the Cathedral Spires in a different way than any other time of year. There is a pull out on the left side of the road that will accomodate about 5 vehicles. 

Best time to photograph: April and May | From an hour after sunrise  to mid morning. 

#15 Cottonwoods 

These cottonwoods might be easily overlooked in the spring and summer months but during the fall and winter, they provide good photographic opportunities. This is also a good area to watch the climbers on El Capitan if you have binoculars. 

Best time to photograph: December through February | Early morning

#16 Valley View 

Last stop on our Valley Grand Tour! I've included a few shots of Valley View here. This is a very easy access location with a parking lot on the left side of the road that accommodates about 12-15 vehicles. Once you pass this location, you re-enter the 2 way road that leads you back towards El Portal or up towards Crane Flat and Tioga Pass. 

Best time to photograph: Year round | Late afternoon through sunset 

I hope you enjoyed this Yosemite Valley Grand Tour. If you would like to see more photos from the valley tour, check out the Yosemite Valley Gallery.

Stay tuned to see what "Z" is for.