Winter sunrise from Tunnel View. With the right conditions Tunnel View can be great in the morning as well as the afternoon
January and February are the wettest months of the year in Yosemite. The average precipitation for January is 6.5 inches, while for February it’s 6.7 inches, which makes 13.2 inches for the two months combined.
But this year Yosemite received only a tenth of that: 1.33 inches total for January and February. The Sacramento Bee says it’s the driest January and February on record for the northern Sierra Nevada.
Since storms have been so rare lately, any forecast that calls for precipitation is big news, and we’ve got just such a forecast this week. Meteorologists are predicting a medium-sized storm to reach Yosemite tonight and tomorrow, with lingering showers on Thursday and Friday. The timing is hard to predict from the current forecast, but it’s likely that we’ll see clearing storm conditions either late Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. With the showery weather there may be several clearing-storm events during that time.
As I point out in my Photographer’s Guide to Yosemite book and iPhone app, early March is the best time of year to photograph Tunnel View and Valley View (a.k.a. Gates of the Valley), because the late-afternoon light is balanced between El Capitan on the left and Cathedral Rocks on the right. If a storm clears late in the day that will create ideal conditions at both of those classic views. Of course there are a few other good spots in Yosemite as well.
The precipitation will start as rain, but then snow levels are predicted to lower to around 4000 feet by Wednesday night, which is the elevation for Yosemite Valley. But snow-level predictions are often wrong, so it could go either way. My guess is that the Valley will get some snow, but it might only be a dusting.
But whether it snows or not, any moisture is welcome at this point! Let’s hope that March brings us many more storms.
— Michael Frye
Michael Frye is a professional photographer specializing in landscapes and nature. He is the author and photographer of The Photographer’s Guide to Yosemite, Yosemite Meditations, and Digital Landscape Photography: In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams and the Great Masters, plus the eBooks Light & Land: Landscapes in the Digital Darkroom, and Exposure for Outdoor Photography. He has written numerous magazine articles on the art and technique of photography, and his images have been published in over thirty countries around the world. Michael has lived either in or near Yosemite National Park since 1983, currently residing just outside the park in Mariposa, California.
Beautiful image Michael. Yes, let’s hope for rain/snow. We sure need it, especially to help with the wild flowers this spring. I had hoped for snow during my visit, but it didn’t happen. At least I was able to capture Horsetail Falls!
Great seeing you and Claudia! And, congratulations on your winning photographs!
Thanks Denise! And yes, I’ve got my fingers crossed too. 🙂
Incredible shot Michael. I really enjoy your work and find much inspiration!
Cheers!
Julie
Julie Magers Soulen Photography
Thanks very much Julie!
Michael Another beautiful shot of the iconic Tunnel View of the valley.Very special , I hope that I can take another workshop with you someday. Maybe I will get lucky and someone will cancel Redwoods workshop. Have a great Spring, Bruce
Thank you Bruce! And I hope to see you in another workshop, whether in the redwoods or elsewhere.
What a beautiful sight – one of my favorites! by you now. Makes me want to drive up tomorrow. No snow chains needed for that height, I’m hoping. Thank you!
Thanks Andrys! Chains are always a possibility, so keep checking the road conditions: 209-372-0200.
Hi Michael,
Here’s hoping that the area gets some much needed precipitation!
I think your photograph shows that while Tunnel View has been photographed by so many, what keeps the scene looking fresh are the myriad of moods Mother Nature provides.
Well we did get some precipitation Vivienne. Yosemite Valley got over an inch, which is great, though we could use a lot more.
Tunnel View is such a great spot because of those changes you mention. It can be rather blah, photographically speaking, on many days, but when the weather gets interesting it can be spectacular.
Hi Michael
I like the way the mist swirls over the treetops on its way to the morning clouds in your Tunnel View here. Great to see you last week at Swinging Bridge, reflecting nice memories of our workshop with you last year. Anita and I huffed and puffed our way up the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls Bridge, worth every step. Next fall we plan to repeat our moonrise-sunset trek up Sentinel Dome with Pat and Cheryl. Enjoyed your beautiful exhibit at Ansel Adams Gallery. Bought your El Cap poster (now mounted and framed on wall above my desk) and plan to order a few prints soon. Look forward to seeing your new meditations book with Claudia. Your work is uplifting and inspiring, Michael.
Warm wishes
Teddy
It was great to see you and Anita too! And I’m glad to hear you made it up the Mist Trail; I rarely go up there this time of year, but I should try it more often. Thanks for buying the poster, and I hope to see you again sometime soon.
Any way to check out the progress of wildflower display currently on Hite Cove trail? Any other locations around Yosemite that may be in bloom would be welcomed. Any particular website that reports such wildflower displays? I’m having no luck at all finding one that has been updated to 2013!
Carol, there haven’t been updated wildflower reports because there aren’t any wildflowers! If there’s any significant bloom near Yosemite I’ll post something on this blog. I list some resources here:
https://www.michaelfrye.com/2011/03/09/wildflower-season-is-coming/
Thanks Michael, for letting me know. We are still planning on coming to Yosemite next week although may be after the rain/snow predicted. There’s so much to photograph anyway there.
I heard that there are some poppies and redbuds starting to bloom in the Merced River Canyon. I’ll try to check it out soon.
I am coming to Yosemite this coming week, Wednesday through Saturday. Hopefully will be seeing some of those redbuds at least, as well as some poppies! Any particular part of the Merced Canyon? I am not that familiar with the area and know the river is very long. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
Carol, we went up the canyon this afternoon, and there are indeed poppies and redbuds blooming. It’s early for the redbud – most are just budding, but they should be further along when you get there. So far the poppies aren’t spectacular, but there are some good areas, including the beginning of the Hite’s Cove trail.
There is no particular spot in the Merced River Canyon for redbuds – they’re everywhere along the river, so just drive up the canyon and stop anywhere that looks good. There are also redbuds on some side roads, like Incline Road and the Merced River Recreation Area; both of those spots are in my book and app.
Hi Michael, I enjoy viewing your wonderful images of Yosemite and other areas of California.
I am from the UK and plan to visit California and Oregon late April early May and wondered if you had any advise on locations etc. I have just purchased your book, Photographing California – Vol. 1: North
Brian, thanks for the kind words. Actually Photographing California is by Gary Crabbe, but it’s an excellent book and should help you in your planning. Late April and early May are great times for Yosemite, so that should be high on your list. I did write a guidebook for that: The Photographer’s Guide to Yosemite. It’s also an iPhone app. You might also check some of the wildflower reports to see what’s blooming; you’ll find some links here:
https://www.michaelfrye.com/2011/03/09/wildflower-season-is-coming/
It’s getting a bit late in the season for most of the desert areas, but spring is a good time for Big Sur.
Good luck!
Dear Michael,
Many thanks for the PDF file on exposure. As an experienced photography I feel it is very useful to practise basic techniques and practice, it refreshes one’s work. Thanks again and best regards,
Ian Short
You’re welcome Ian — glad you liked it.