Travel by the Calendar

Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite NP

Very few photographers are famous. Very few are household names. Ansel Adams is one of the those very few. And Yosemite National Park is synonymous with Ansel Adams. Yosemite is one of the most popular National Parks in the USA, admitting 3.5 million people through its gates each year. So if you don’t want people crowding into your photos (very few of Ansel’s landscapes show any evidence of humans at all) you’ll be better off avoiding the summer months. Besides, a little snow on the ground, or clouds in the sky, will only add to the atmosphere of the photo. Although much of the park will be closed at this time of year, there is still plenty to see, including Yosemite Valley, home to El Capitan, Half dome and Bridalveil Falls. It is possible to see these highlights almost without leaving the car, but you’ll miss out if you don’t do a little hiking in the park. The visitor’s centre in the village can help with suitable walks. Just tell them roughly what distance you want to hike and they’ll provide several choices. If you want to hike in the park, be sure to bring wet weather gear, especially if you are planning on sitting in an exposed area, waiting for the right light!

Accommodation in the park needs to be reserved well in advance. There is a broad range from camping right through to the luxury of the Ahwahnee hotel. You will pay a premium for staying in the park, however, you otherwise face a significant drive from one of the satellite towns like Mariposa or Midpines, tricky for those sunrise shots! There is a small supermarket within the park, as well as a range of dining options. Be sure to stop into the Ahwahnee for a look even if you don’t stay there. It is a truly beautiful old hotel with vast, beautifully decorated public spaces. Ansel Adams was a workaholic, often clocking up 17 hour days and may not have approved of stopping for a long lunch. But then it’s not really a vacation is it? Will you be the next Ansel Adams? Probably not. But you’re sure to come home with some beautiful photos anyway, it’s hard not to in such an amazing place.