I photographed an icon

[ProCaliberTraveler]

I met up with my parents near Yosemite National Park this past weekend, but had to drive Sonora Pass to do so. This road trip was roughly 600 miles.

Before meeting up with them, I left Groveland at 3:30 am and crossed the park gate at 4 am. There was no line and no one to take my entrance fee.

I ended up parking in a spot in the predawn darkness that gave me a great view of Yosemite Falls and a reflection thanks to the flooding from the Merced River. I wandered around this area on foot, observing how the morning light made the peaks glow.

It probably wasn’t the best time of day to photograph Yosemite Falls due to the direction it faces. Regardless, it was a special experience.

 

[AlanLichty]

Sounds like the perfect moment to make it to this scene. Wonderful takeaway.

 

[dan swiger]

Looks like a sweet mirror image shot to me. Flooded meadows & no wind. Nice capture!

 

[Douglas Sherman]

Beautiful image, Mike.

 

[JimFox]

Michael, you got lucky. Had you entered later you would have been turned away since you didn't have a reservation. Yosemite started those back up for the summer. The way to avoid them is to enter before 6am.

I like the image you captured here, it is for an icon. The meadows still look really flooded!

Any photos from Sonora Pass?

 

[ProCaliberTraveler]

Looks like a sweet mirror image shot to me. Flooded meadows & no wind. Nice capture!

Thanks, Dan! You gave me some great advice and advanced warning of the crowds.

Michael, you got lucky. Had you entered later you would have been turned away since you didn't have a reservation. Yosemite started those back up for the summer. The way to avoid them is to enter before 6am.

I like the image you captured here, it is for an icon. The meadows still look really flooded!

Any photos from Sonora Pass?

Did Yosemite suddenly restart reservations again? As far as I know the park scrapped the reservation system for this year. They’ll have a public meeting on July 19 to discuss how to mitigate crowds.

I have plenty from Sonora Pass. So many waterfalls up there this year!

 

[Darcy Grizzle]

Just a beautiful image!

 

[Bob Israel]

It's always about the experience that made the photograph and your story makes the image that much more special.

 

[Beth]

nice reflection in the water.