Discover Yosemite’s best-kept secret, Hetch Hetchy Valley.
John Muir once described Hetch Hetchy as “a wonderfully exact counterpart” of Yosemite Valley. It is a funny twist of nature to create a valley this close to Yosemite Valley that looks so much alike. Today the infamous O’Shaughnessy Dam blocks the flow of the Tuolumne River, flooding the entire valley with 300 feet of water. The San Francisco Bay Area needs the dam to satisfy its insatiable hunger for power and water. A lot of controversy surrounds the dam and the accompanied destruction of a pristine valley within the borders of Yosemite National Park.
I consider Glacier Point the most magnificent view in Yosemite, a bold statement for a park famous for its superb views. Glacier Point presents views of the west side of Yosemite Valley from Yosemite Falls to Half Dome and Nevada and Vernal Falls.
The splendid views of El Capitan, Yosemite Falls and Yosemite Valley from Taft Point are legendary. Yet much to my surprise, the hike still has not caught on with the lazy crowds. The low difficulty of the hike combined with the unique views it offers, should have put Taft Point on everybody’s favorite list by now. Gladly that is not the case yet, maybe because the views of nearby Glacier Point are so much easier to have.
From Sentinel Dome, you get a 360-degree view of Yosemite Valley and the backcountry, making it one of the most popular hikes in the park. It is relatively easy, even with lots of photography gear. The accessibility, combined with a completely unobstructed view of the sky and the remote location make Sentinel Dome a favorite amongst star photographers. It is only second to Half Dome in height, but much easier to climb.
The Mirror Lake trail is one of the most popular trails in Yosemite because it is easy to hike. You can take your baby strollers with you, hike with small children, or go on a trail when you do not have much time. It is really more of a pleasant stroll than an actual hike with an illusive lake as the destination. If you are in a rush you can even bike to Mirror Lake.
There is something very rewarding about wild animal photography. Encounters are rare, fascinating, and therefore unique. As photographers, we always wish to shoot unique photographs. Wildlife photography is a wonderful way to fulfill that desire.
Giant sequoias rivaling those of Sequoia National Park crowd together in Mariposa Grove near the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park. The giant sequoias are the world’s largest trees. They only grow in some sections of the Sierra Nevada. You will pass many of these impressive colossuses as you hike the trails of Mariposa Grove. [...]
Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall are two of the most prominent waterfalls in Yosemite National Park, a park known for its great falls, grand vistas and good photographic value. You can choose to hike all the way to the top of Nevada Fall, the top of Vernal Fall or just the base of Vernal Fall. The trail will satisfy casual hikers and serious hikers alike.
Yosemite is a natural wonder, a spectacular landscape and magnet for photographers. Over four million people come to Yosemite every year. With so much competition, it is vital to come prepared and know what to photograph when. On this page, I will show you the classic views of Yosemite Valley. Everyone expects those must-have shots from the park.
Learn how to photograph the famous Horsetail Falls, also known as Firefall! Galen Rowell popularized this natural phenomenon with his stunning unmatched photography. When the weather conditions are right, during the last weeks of February, it is possible to experience the Firefall.
