Yosemite Falls

The bridge at the base of Lower Yosemite Fall gives a great up-close and personal view of the lower fall, but the entire 1/4 mile walk to the bridge is a visual treat. The upper fall isn't visible from the bridge, but you'll find plenty to shoot without it. In spring bring your rain gear, as it can be quite wet on the bridge.

The first have of the walk to the bridge is where you'll find the best top-to-bottom view of the Yosemite Falls in Yosemite. Start with a wide, vertical composition that includes the entire fall framed by trees; try some tighter compositions to isolate elements of the fall. The view of Lower Yosemite Fall from the bridge offers an assortment of horizontal/vertical, wide/tight compositions limited only be your own creative vision.

The best light on the upper fall is mid-morning; the lower fall gets nice light in the morning, and if you time your visit right you'll find a rainbow in the mist at the base of the fall. Booming in spring, by mid-summer Yosemite Falls has slowed to a relative trickle, and is usually completely dry by the end of summer. The fall starts to revive when the storms start rolling through in mid to late autumn.

Each spring, the angle of the full moon and soaking mist combine to generate one the best "moonbow" opportunities in the world. Visible to the naked eye as a shimmering silver band, the camera's ability to accumulate light will reveal this breathtaking phenomenon in full living color (above).

How to get there

From Yosemite Lodge, cross Northside Drive at the crosswalk and immediately pick up the curving, paved trail. After a short distance a 90 degree left turn gives you a top-to-bottom view of the entire fall, framed by towering evergreens. The first half of the walk features this view, until eventually you enter a stand of trees that obstructs the fall. Follow the trail, winding and climbing a short distance to the bridge for the closest view of Lower Yosemite Fall. You can return the way you came, or continue across the bridge and loop through the peaceful forest back to Cook's Meadow, just up the road from Yosemite Lodge (no more than a one mile loop).