Rainbow, mist, and Yosemite Falls, March 14th
I recently wrote about photographing a clearing storm from the Four-Mile Trail, but that was actually my second journey up that trail last month. The first time was a week earlier, on March 14th, as another rainstorm cleared early in the morning. At that time I hadn’t been up the Four-Mile Trail in several years, but I remembered that you could see some great views of Yosemite Falls from the trail, and the unusually high early-spring water levels in falls made it seem worth trying.
I had a vague memory of finding some good views of the falls that weren’t very far up the trail, but apparently my memory was faulty, as all the lower views were partially obscured by trees. I found a decent view about 600 feet above the valley floor, but kept going up and up the switchbacks until I reached some better spots. On the way I also saw misty scenes looking west toward Cathedral Rocks and El Capitan, which I had to photograph, giving me a convenient excuse to stop and rest:
Rivers of mist below Cathedral Rocks, March 14th
The sun started to break through about 8 o’clock, just as a rain squall was arriving from the west. When a rainbow appeared near El Capitan I scrambled down the trail to photograph that view, but the rainbow wasn’t in a great position, and was already fading. Then through the trees I could see that the other end of the rainbow had appeared to the left of Yosemite Falls, so I scurried back up the trail and quickly captured the photograph you see at the top of the post.
I stayed awhile after the rainbow faded, photographing more misty views of the falls, but the rainbow image turned out to be my favorite waterfall photograph of the morning. It was unusual to see a waterfall with a rainbow where the rainbow wasn’t created by the mist of the fall, but rather by actual rain.
I’m looking forward to photographing Yosemite’s waterfalls many more times this spring, with or without rainbows. The water levels are still high, and it looks like we’ll have our best spring flows since 2011. While this wasn’t quite the El Nino winter we expected, we still got above-average precipitation in this part of the state, and I’m very grateful for the snow and rain, the full waterfalls, and all the misty, stormy scenes I’ve had the opportunity to photograph.
— Michael Frye
Related Posts: A Different Point of View; A Stormy Weekend
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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.
Michael,
Both photos are great, particularly the “Rivers of Mist”!
The Four-Mile Trail should continue to offer spectacular views this spring.
Cheers,
Alyn
Thanks Alyn!
Beautiful. Hope I can coax my wife to make the trip part way up to where the views are when we are there in about 10 days. So, now does this trail compare to Vernal Falls as far as difficulty?
Aram
Thanks Aram. The difficulty of both trails depends on how far up you go. The Mist Trail to the top of Nevada Fall is about 1,900 feet up. To the top of Vernal is about 1,000 feet. If you take the Four-Mile Trail up to where it’s currently closed, just below Union Point, that’s about 2,000 feet. I think the best views of Yosemite Falls start at about 1,200 feet and higher, though there’s a pretty good one at about 600 feet, just beyond where you pass underneath Sentinel Rock. If it’s open all the way to Glacier Point that’s 3,200 feet. The Four-Mile Trail lacks the steep stone steps you find on the Mist Trail, so it’s gradient is generally lower and the footing is better.
Beautiful photos!!!
Thanks Randy!
Wow, beautiful shot of Yosemite Falls. I like that you can see pretty much the entire falls from there and the clouds and rainbow just complete the image. How long of a FL would you need for that, if I may ask?
Jay
Thanks Jay! The focal length was about 35mm.
Ha! I was thinking in the 200mm range. 😛
Looks like the climb was worth the effort! You not only got a rainbow but a double rainbow. I just love all those swirling low clouds/mist.
I am sure your memory was correct about the views lower down, Michael. Those trees have a habit of growing.
Thanks Vivienned, and yes, those trees do like to grow, darn them! 🙂
Stunning photos Michael! I especially like the one of Yosemite Falls. It is always amazing when you are lucky enough to see such views. It makes a hike extra special.
When we visited Yosemite, we went to the top of Nevada Falls on the mist trail. Those steps are steep! If I ever get to return, I will be tempted to hike the Four Mile Trail.
Thank you for sharing your photos.
Thanks Jane. The steps on the Mist Trail are indeed steep! The Four-Mile Trail is longer, with a bigger elevation gain, but the gradients are lower it lacks those stone steps.