Fern Spring

Fern Spring is a photographer's location, an intimate, peaceful respite from Yosemite's towering granite, plunging waterfalls, and teaming tourists. A small reflecting pool that gives way to a series of stair-step cascades, Fern Spring provides a host of creative opportunities. I often isolate elements of the scene with my 70-200 lens; other times I go a little wider to include the cascades, pool, and surrounding trees.

Fern Spring can be nice any time of year, but it's best in autumn, when red dogwood and yellow maple leaves compete for attention in the trees, on the ground, and atop the reflecting pool. The best photography here is in overcast or the full shade of morning or late afternoon.

When you're finished at Fern Spring, cross the road to a trail that runs through the woods, paralleling the Merced River. Walking a couple hundred yards downstream takes you to the Pahono Bridge and great dogwood opportunities; upstream a few hundred yards you'll find nice views of El Capitan with the river in the foreground. There's nice shooting all along this trail.

How to get there

Entering Yosemite Valley, bear right to cross Pahono Bridge onto Southside Drive (the road turns from two-way to one-way here). On your right, shortly after crossing the bridge, look for a small paved parking area with an unassuming sign identifying Fern Spring.