31 Oct 2024
Tags: Yosemite National Park, Yosemite/Mariposa County Tourism Bureau, US National Parks
When thinking about winter photography, Yosemite Mariposa County offers the most awe-inspiring landscapes. From ice-crusted waterfalls to iconic rock formations hugged by clouds, from rolling green ranchland dotted with galloping horses to an unusual winter phenomenon known as the Yosemite Firefall, the cool brilliance of Yosemite Mariposa lends itself to brisk pics and muted masterpieces alike. Add to that an all-season highway and fewer visitors, and Yosemite Mariposa County becomes one of America's top destinations for winter photography.
Jim Richardson, the esteemed lensman for National Geographic, has a professional tip he likes to share: “if you want to be a better photographer, stand in front of more interesting stuff.” And what better way to stand in front of interesting stuff than a winter visit to Yosemite Mariposa?
Whether by car or on snowshoes, above the snow line or throughout its history-rich foothills, Yosemite Mariposa County features a number of top spots where guests visiting in the winter months can capture that inspired image worthy of a gallery wall.
Yosemite Valley
Perfectly placed with its east-west orientation, Yosemite Valley collects winter weather between its steep walls creating a mood that's both evocative and ever-changing. Add to that a diverse mix of flora and fauna complimented by the meandering Merced River as it runs through El Capitan Meadow, or the beauty of Yosemite Falls with a morning lacework of ice radiating from the main column of water. These are scenes straight out of a photographer's dream. Pick your favorite subject, the best time of day for the light to hit it, and you're golden.
While exploring Yosemite Valley, be sure to stop and see Tunnel View. From this gorgeous vantage point just above the west end of Yosemite Valley, you can see El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall all in one glorious shot.
Perched high on the southern rim of Yosemite Valley, Dewey Point is a great choice for dedicated photographers who want an up-close-and-personal view of ice-crusted El Capitan. Depending on winter conditions, you can cross country ski, snowshoe or hike the snow-covered Glacier Point Road past Badger Pass Ski Area. Once there, expect unmatched views of fog and clouds flowing between the cliffs below, not to mention the distant snow-capped peaks of the Yosemite high country.
The road less traveled, doubly-so in winter weather, Hetch Hetchy was passionately described by John Muir as “one of Nature's rarest and most precious mountain temples.” From Hetch Hetchy Reservoir's rocky frame (where waterfalls plunge in spring) to its glassy surface reflecting winter clouds billowing past, this peaceful oasis is located on the northern boundary of Yosemite National Park and offers photographers willing to hustle a chance to get away from the bustle.
One of the most woohoo-worthy snow play hubs in Mariposa County, Goat Meadow is located between Fish Camp and Yosemite's southern entrance just off Highway 41. Photographers have a choice here: snapping action shots of fast & furious sledders careening down the slopes, or strapping on snowshoes and exploring the moody serenity of the surrounding Sierra National Forest. Very near Goat Meadow and also very worth the visit is Summerdale Campground where wildlife photography options are abundant. You can spot beaver's building dams in the creek, hawks hunting prey and foraging deer.
Merced River Canyon/Highway 140
The steep, scrubby slopes of the Merced River Canyon are starkly beautiful. As all-season Highway 140 climbs steadily towards Yosemite's western entrance with the river by your side, the transition from foothill to mountain becomes evident. The photographs here are moody, capturing California's rugged, can-do spirit, while late winter/early spring brings an explosion of organic color along the Hite Cove Trail, one of the Sierras' top destinations for wildflowers.
Nestled in the oak-studded Sierra foothills on the western edge of Mariposa County, these freshwater siblings are a great spot to photograph rainbows arcing overhead, or even hang gliders soaring the heavens. Known mostly for their fishing prowess, Lake McClure & Lake McSwain are a short drive from the Bay Area and easily accessible in winter. For action shots and tasty Go-Pro telenovelas, try the Exchequer Mountain Bike Park for all its shredding glory. Known mostly for their fishing prowess, Lake McClure & Lake McSwain are a short drive from the Bay Area and easily accessible in winter. For action shots and tasty Go-Pro telenovelas, try the Exchequer Mountain Bike Park for all its shredding glory.
This rolling ranch land in western Mariposa County greens up real nice with the rain on a winter day, creating unmatched rural landscapes as leaf-challenged oaks and free-range livestock dot the frame. For haunting pics of historic ruins, try the ghost-town-adjacent villa of Hornitos. With a current population of 66, Hornitos was once home to 10,000 people during peak Gold Rush and the crumbling walls of famed chocolatier Domenico Ghirardelli's general store are still standing.
The perfect hub for your winter shoot, the Gold Rush town of Mariposa offers historic architecture and a central casting of local characters who proudly call this outpost home. From the historic courthouse to the abandoned jail, from ranchers rubbing elbows with artists at local cafes to the Stockton Creek Preserve where photographing birds is just a telephoto lens away.
