Hi,

I am going to have two days in Yosemite later this month. What do you believe are the top sites to photograph in Yosemite NP this time of year?

Thanks!

Hi Daniel.
A bit early for the dogwoods this month. Usually they will be blooming the first part of May. You will not be able to go over Tioga pass. Closed for the season. And most likely will not be able to drive up to Glacier Point. Same reason. This leaves you to the Valley and all the Granite and high waters of the Merced River. You will know what to shoot when you see it.

By late March the wildflowers in the Merced River Canyon should be starting, it can be stunningly beautiful in the area around El Portal along highway 140 near the park entrance.

thanks guys.

Are you interested in shooting the iconic valley locations or looking for something different?

I'll also be in Yosemite the second weekend in April for a day & 1/2. I'll be coming in up the Wawona Road (RT 41) from Fresno Friday afternoon. Any recommendations on where to stop on the way in on the way to Yosemite Valley? Iconic locations are good to know where they are, but something off the beaten path or different would be fantastic. From what I've read, there is still snow this time of year.

If you can leave by rt. 140 and check out the wildflowers, especially around El Portal, take a walk on the Hite Cove Trail if you have time. Wildflowers should be busting out by then.

I'm sure you know this, but you will be coming in right by the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and a little farther up the road The Ahwahnee Hotel, both very impressive, but heavily traveled areas. Weekends even in mid April will be VERY crowded, sadly...

The sequoia grove in Wawona is accessible and away from the city-like valley. One of my favorite places is the Tuolumne Grove of Sequoia's closer to the west entrance. I am unsure if the snow is melted out from there at this point, however it is about two miles' walk - great for snowshoeing/skiing too might I add! El Portal area gets verry little usage and I agree, would be great, if the wildflowers are starting to bloom. Waterfalls in the valley should be relatively healthy by this point but not as full as when the snow begins to melt out more.

If you want to stretch your legs a little, you can hike from the valley along the Mist Trail, to one or both of the falls. Quite a popular hike but this time of the year should be sufficiently quite. Or for a jaunt in the snow, you can mosey along from Crane Flat area (west entrance), walking up Tioga road as far as you like. I recommend snow shoes or xc skis for that...

I've never been to Yosemite so all this info is new. Thanks for the tips, these look like some good destinations. I definitely want to do some hiking. No snow shoes, though. This is on a tail end of a business trip, so my outdoor gear will be limited to hiking boots and a day pack. Thanks again, guys.