Dogwood along the Merced River, Yosemite NP, CA, USA
I haven’t posted here in awhile because I just finished back-to-back workshops in Death Valley and Yosemite. But I wanted to give a quick update on conditions in Yosemite Valley. In short, it’s beautiful. At the start of our workshop last week most of the dogwoods were still in that greenish stage, but by the end of the week most of the blossoms had turned white, and were in great shape. It looks like an above-average year for dogwoods, as many trees have plentiful blossoms. They will continue to bloom for a couple more weeks, but they’re most photogenic early, while the blossoms are still fresh, and before the leaves get too large (which tends to hide the flowers).
And the waterfalls were very full – as full as I’d ever seen them in late April, despite rather cool temperatures. Forecasters are predicting very warm weather this week, so the water levels will be rising from all the snowmelt. In fact they’re predicting minor flooding in Yosemite Valley tonight, tomorrow night, and Thursday night before rain and cooler temperatures arrive this weekend.
But if you’re thinking about visiting Yosemite Valley this spring, avoid weekends. The news media has been hyping the waterfalls in Yosemite, bringing large crowds, and the traffic last weekend was awful. I heard that cars were backed up from the Arch Rock entrance station along Highway 140 all the way back to Cedar Lodge on Saturday. That’s eight miles. Since then Highway 120 has reopened, which should help reduce the lines at the entrance stations a bit, but the worst congestion is in Yosemite Valley itself. Southside Drive leading into the eastern end of the Valley becomes a parking lot when there’s lots of traffic, and it can take two hours or more to get from the El Cap crossover to Sentinel Bridge. In short, avoid the weekends if at all possible, and go on a weekday.
Here are a couple of dogwood photos from last week. We had a great time during the workshop, and I’m looking forward to going back to the valley – on a weekday!
— Michael Frye
Dogwood, cottonwoods, and rapids along the Merced River, Yosemite NP, CA, USA
Related Posts: Dogwoods, Fog, and Reflections; A Good Year for Dogwoods
Michael Frye is a professional photographer specializing in landscapes and nature. He is the author or principal photographer of The Photographer’s Guide to Yosemite, Yosemite Meditations, Yosemite Meditations for Women, Yosemite Meditations for Adventurers, and Digital Landscape Photography: In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams and the Great Masters. He has also written three eBooks: Light & Land: Landscapes in the Digital Darkroom, Exposure for Outdoor Photography, and Landscapes in Lightroom: The Essential Step-by-Step Guide. Michael 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.
Wonderful photos! Thanks for sharing.
Fantastic photos! You are one of the best photographers that I know. Keep taking those great photos.
Thank you Patsy!
Michael, we are in theValley right now, and how right you are. The dogwoods and the Falls are spectacular. Glad we arrived on Sunday with some delay getting in, but it’s been fine since.
Glad you’re there Carol, and thanks for the report.
Thanks Michael. I’m planning on camping at Wawona May 15-18 (Mon-Thurs). Sure hope the crowds are better then. Also hoping for Glacier Pt Road to be open. I understand park service vehicles have been driving it for about a week already. Hope that means the public access is just around the corner.
John, the traffic will only get worse as we get later into May, but the good news is that you’ll be in the park during weekdays, so it should be tolerable. I think Glacier Point Road will be open by then. I’m hoping it will be open by this weekend.
Ah, Yosemite in the spring! Beautiful dogwood photo, Michael, many thanks. I’m going to be back in the U.S. for seven weeks beginning in late-June. I really want to go to Yosemite, but worry that the crowds might be overwhelming in the summer. We’ll see. All best to you from Italy. —Bob
Bob, I expect big crowds this summer in Yosemite Valley, unfortunately, because the waterfalls will still be flowing well until August. The high country should be okay.
Wonderful shots. So great to have all these locations in your back yard.
Thanks Terry!
Lovely photos, Michael. I ditto all the park advice you just provided. I met my brother and his wife there this past weekend (from WA.) even though I warned them about the insane crowds. The only good thing in their favor was having a reserved campground spot. Hiking up Mist Trail to Vernal Fall was like navigating 5pm freeway traffic. Crowds thinned out on the way up to Nevada Fall. People do need to absorb the Yosemite phenomenon but avoid going on Friday – Sunday, if possible.
Now, for the best part, I have never seen the various park falls and Merced River so full of water. The fast moving volume is immeasurable and the roaring thunder makes communication nearly impossible. The famous, surrounding scenery, is so glorious and spiritual. Thanks for continuing to capture in your photos what makes the ever-changing Yosemite N.P. so addicting and mesmerizing. I am so humbled that it’s less than 2 hours away from my home. Carry on. . .
Well the Mist Trail is always popular in spring and summer, no matter what, but I’m sure there will be even more people on the trail this year. And more people in general pouring into Yosemite Valley. But as you point out, there’s a reason why so many people want to go to there.
Great photos, Mike. Many thanks for visiting advice you provided. I plan to visit next week to view the Yosemite falls moonbows. But unfortunately, my work allows only weekend visit. Please let me know your opinion if getting in early around 05:00-06:00 AM will help to beat crowds?
Thanks Akash. On a weekend, arriving anytime before 9 a.m. should allow you to avoid traffic and parking problems.
Thanks for advice, Mike.
Back to back workshops in Death Valley and Yosemite sounds tiring but fantastic. I love the lighting of the second shot. Yosemite is such a magical place.
Thanks Joshua!
Hi Michael,
Mose beautiful photographs you take!
Kris and I were in the Valley toward the end of the week of your April workshop. Sorry we missed you.
Yosemite was, once again, most magnificent!
Crowds during our Saturday departure were unreal, with traffic bumper to bumper past El Portal.
As you say, weekdays are always best.
Hope you’re doing well.
Cheers,
Alyn
Thanks Alyn, and sorry I missed you too.