Half Dome and oaks in flooded Leidig Meadow. My chest waders came in handy on a couple of occasions. Here I waded into Leidig Meadow to capture these flooded oaks framing Half Dome. (Focal length: 21mm; five bracketed exposures blended with Lightroom’s HDR Merge.)
This past winter brought near-record amounts of snow to the higher elevations of Yosemite, and now all that snow is melting and filling the rivers, creeks, and waterfalls. About a week-and-a-half ago, warm temperatures were predicted to create minor flooding in the Yosemite Valley, so Claudia and I drove up early and found a beautiful, water-filled park. The meadows were partially flooded, and the waterfalls roaring. We hadn’t seen such high water since June of 2011, but this time the deciduous trees still had that fresh, bright-green color, and the dogwoods were still blooming.
We spent a couple of nights in the valley, staying at a friend’s house, and had a great time photographing and just enjoying the park. Here are some images showing the high water, with extended captions.
Minor flooding is likely to occur again over the next few weeks any time the temperatures get high. Here’s a link to the hydrologic prediction for Pohono Bridge in Yosemite Valley. When the river level goes over ten feet that’s considered minor flooding, and you can expect to find some of the meadows under water. But again, the press has been hyping the high water in Yosemite for weeks, so if you go, be prepared for crowding. Weekends can be almost impossible, with long delays at the entrance stations, and cars stuck in traffic for hours within Yosemite Valley. Go during the week if at all possible.
— Michael Frye
Flooded meadow reflecting Upper Yosemite Fall. This was our made on our first morning, as the sun broke through clouds and lit the cottonwood trees along the flooded river. (The focal length was 16mm. 1/125 sec. at f/8, ISO 200.)
Rapids and reflections in the Merced River. The golden color was created by sunlight reflecting off cliffs. I used a medium-slow shutter speed (1/6th sec.) to convey a sense of motion yet preserve some of the water’s texture. (127mm; 1/6th sec. at f/16, ISO 160.)
Dogwoods and an alder along the Merced River, Yosemite. The high river level made it easier to juxtapose dogwoods against the water, as in this scene. This was an overcast morning, and that soft light worked well for intimate landscapes like this. I used a polarizing filter to cut the sheen on the darker areas of water, which helped make the white rapids stand out better. I also added a four-stop neutral-density filter to get the shutter speed down to one second. (1 second at f/16, ISO 100. The focal length was 35mm.)
Cottonwoods and ponderosa pines in a flooded meadow, spring, Yosemite. Again I used hip waders to get out into this meadow, just in time to capture a brief moment when the sun broke through the clouds and lit these cottonwood trees. (50mm; 1/60th at f/11, ISO 100.)
Rapids in the Merced River, Yosemite. Late-afternoon sunlight highlighted these cascades along the river. Again I used a polarizer and a four-stop ND filter. (93mm; 1/6 sec. at f/16, ISO 50.)
High water along the Merced River at sunrise, Yosemite. I’ve photographed these alders before, but never with their feet completely surrounded by water. It was a challenge to get the camera in the right position, with separation between the three trunks, and the sun partially hidden behind one of those trunks. I caught a little too much sun, so I had to clean up some lens flare in this photo. Seven-stop ND filter, no polarizer. (16mm; 2 seconds at f/16, ISO 400.)
Related Posts: Yosemite Valley Under Water; Spring in Yosemite
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.
You always do such a beautiful job with your photographs. Mine did not turn out nearly as well; wish I had your eye and skill! I keep trying.
Thanks Connie!
Those are fantastic Michael. Thanks for sharing. It looks like the LR merge function produces pretty nice results. I’m heading for the park tomorrow morning at 0-dark thirty. Unfortunately, I don’t own any waders. LoL! I’ll be in upper pines. Is the valley reasonably driveable weekdays? Especially with rain forecast?
Thanks.
Thank you John. I would have said that driving and parking in the valley is okay on weekdays until I read Bruce’s comment about his experience on a Tuesday. I think the traffic and parking can be bad any day of the week until the water subsides – but definitely worse on weekends. I wouldn’t go anywhere near the valley on Memorial Day weekend.
I was there 5 days ago, Tuesday the 9th. I left as disappointed as I’ve ever been on a photo trip. By noon parking was impossible. On the way to lunch at Yosemite Valley Lodge I was looking for a place on Southside Dr by the flooded meadows between Swinging & Sentinel bridges.
Not a spot as to be found people were double parked at the beginning of the lots waiting for a spot to open. It took a 1/2 an hour to find a spot in the vicinity of the lodge.
After lunch I made another loop on Southside Dr looking for a spot to park, again none were available. Around 2:30 pm we tried Gates of The Valley, the only reason I found a spot was I have a Disabled Placard, I got the last spot in the lot. It’s frustrating for those of us who can’t walk too far to be unable to find a parking place within reasonable distance of what we want to photo.
So if you want to brave the crowds I suggest staying near the park as you can, go early, and be prepared for large crowds of day visitors. I don’t know what time of the day the crowds of day visitors start to thin out. I was on my way out at 3 pm somewhat disgusted.
Sorry to hear that Bruce. I’m actually camping in the valley and the forecast is for rain. Not quite how I planned it but I’m hoping the forecast will keep the crowds down.
I may try it again before the end of the month and school lets out, but you can bet I’ll be staying in El Portal or camping close so I can get there early.
I’m sorry to hear that too. Sounds like even weekdays can be bad sometimes. We actually had little difficulty on a Saturday, but it was raining off and on. If the traffic and parking are bad, the best strategy might be to get to the valley early, park, and stay put until sunset. To answer your question, the crowds thin out quite late, like 7 p.m. or later.
Amazing as always Michael.
I forget, are you using the Sony A7RII now with Canon adapters?
I use the LR HDR merge all the time for my exterior architectural shots where I’m not going to take the time to hand draw multiple masks.
Thanks Geoff! Yes, I use the Sony A7R II, with a Canon 70-200 f/4, an old Nikon 50mm f/1.8, a Sony 16-35 f/4, and a Rokinon 20mm f/1.8 for night photography.
Beautiful shots. I was there last week for the Moonbow and the high water. I tried similar motifs to capture the high water (tree trunks surrounded by water, rapidly flowing Merced river, flooded meadows, dogwoods next to the river) but still struggled to make compelling shots. It’s hard to do the Moonbow at night and then get up at dawn to get to the prime locations for sunrise. Also, I was fighting with contrails in the sky most of the time. It’s inspiring to see the shots you are able to take; they give me more ideas to try on my next visit.
Thanks Brian! It is indeed difficult to combine night photography with sunrise photography. I guess you could just stay up all night. Sad to say I’ve done that sometimes. 🙂
What a great set, Michael! Still wishing I could find that secret tunnel from the Eastside….
Thanks Jackson! I hope the tunnel goes both ways…
Wonderful series, as usual!
Reminds me of May 2005.
Thank you Chuck!
Just wanted to let you know that as always I enjoy the new photos of the Yosemite Parc, and the American West. Unfortunately I do not have a show of anytime turning up there, as I live far away, in Europe. So my only chance is to try to photograph what is close to home, which is not as spectacular but maybe with fewer people.
Thanks very much Ursula. I’m sure there are beautiful places near where you live. It’s funny and a little ironic to hear someone from Europe talking about having fewer people. Usually it’s the other way around.
Thank you for your work.
Thanks Al!
Makes me wish I was there, but then the crowds don’t, and I can’t take mid week off right now. So I’ll have to live vicariously through these wonderful shots.
It’s too bad the weekends are so crowded. But it’s understandable that so many people want to visit Yosemite right now.
I went up last Thursday for a couple days and was amazed at all the people there mid week! I can’t imagine the weekend! Dogwoods were in their prime and water water everywhere. One person asked what the name of a waterfall and I told her it was just for us this spring 🙂 Also loved all the yellow flowers on HWY 140.
Glad you found a lot of beauty in the park Bob, despite the crowds.
Thanks, Michael, for these lovely images, bravely taken with chest waders! I always enjoy hearing from you and reading about my home state of California. Cheers!
You’re welcome Bob, and thanks!
Beautiful photos as always, Michael. Hopefully all of this moisture bodes well for the fall colors. See you in October!.
Thanks Florian. There are a lot of factors that affect fall color, but it does help if the trees are well-watered – as long as they’re not too wet.
I could view your photo of rapids and reflections in the Merced for hours. I just love the reflected color and movement of water. Thanks for sharing, Michael!
Thanks very much Vivienne!