Swinging Bridge

Sentinel Bridge is the best location to photograph Yosemite Falls reflected in the Merced River. Even at peak spring flow nice reflections are possible here, though the most crisp reflections don't appear until the water slows in late summer and fall. Just before the bridge you can detour toward Sentinel Meadow on the right (as you approach from the parking lot). From the adjacent Sentinel Meadow you can photograph Yosemite Falls framed by trees; in particularly wet springs the meadow fills with water, offering beautiful reflection possibilities. Continue across Swinging Bridge to the trail that skirts Ledig Meadow. This trail will take you to Yosemite Lodge, with some nice views of Half Dome along the way. 

Upper Yosemite Fall gets its best light in mid-morning, and Swinging Bridge is a great place to capture it. The reflections are best when the fall is fully lit but the sunlight hasn't quite reached the river. I usually start with wide vertical compositions, but some of my best results have come from tighter compositions of the reflection of the fall and trees.

How to get there

The parking area for Swinging Bridge is on Southside Drive, about two miles east of Cathedral Beach.