From: badboy@netcom.com (Jay Keller)
Subject: Re: 1 day photo trips from San Jose, CA
Date: Fri, 04 Sep 92 06:48:02 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)

In article <1992Sep2.232703.19032@clark.edu> gsnow@clark.edu (Gary Snow) writes:
>I am posting this for a person that doesn't have post access on his machine,
>so direct all correspondence to his address below or to this group, so he
>can read the responces.
>
>-------------------------------- Cut Here --------------------------------
>
>I will be visiting the Bay area in mid Sept., and have Sat. free.  I
>would like to spend the day on nature photography, and would like
>suggestions or comments on where I can go for this.  I plan to get up
>*early* Sat. morning so that I drive in the dark and am on location at
>sunrise.  It may be a long time before I have such an opportunity again.
> 
>I have identified two potential locations to visit.  The first is to
>go north along the coast to Muir Woods and Point Reyes and whatever else is
>time permiting.  I have heard that Point Reyes is not as crowded as some
>other areas (?) and offers good natural scenes.
> 
>The second idea is Yosemite.  Of course, this entails a 4 hour predawn
>drive.  I must return to San Jose Sat night.  Is this enough time, or should
>I save Yosemite for sometime when I have a whole weekend or more?  Also,
>does the crowd situation permit serious photo taking.  (I don't mind hiking,
>but time is an issue.)  It is probably not worth 8 hours of driving just to
>say I have seen it and to take a few casual snapshots.
> 
>Any comments or other suggestions would be quite welcome.  I realize SF
>itself is an excellent photographic location, but I am really
>interested more in nature photos.
> 
>Please Reply to the address below or post to this newsgroup, as I have
>asked someone else to post this for me.  (I read this newsgroup too
>frequently).
> 
>Reply to: karl@ppe.ppd.ti.com
>These are my opinions only.
>
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>-- 
>-----
>Gary Snow
>uunet!clark!gsnow  or  gsnow@clark.edu

Karl, in my opinion, Yosemite is "Photography Heaven" and spending 6 hours
there would be worth the drive (which I would put at more like 5 hours each
way, at least when I do it).  Add to that the fact that the early Fall is
among the best times to be there for certain reasons, and I would be inclined
to go for it.

Advantages of your September date include the fact that summer vacation is over
and the worst crowds are gone, and there won't be snow yet so you can get up to
some very high places by car (not true after about mid-to-late October).
Disadvantages might be that you want to go on a Saturday, which means lots of
weekend tour-buses, and the waterfalls are lame in the Fall (go in the Spring
if you want waterfalls, but forget about getting up over about 3000 feet,
unless you XC-ski or snowshoe your way up there).

Maybe try this:  leave SJ Midnight Friday night and head for Glacier point.
You should get there in time to catch a few Z's in the car and still get a
good spot to catch the Sun rising over Half Dome.  By the time it rises there
will be LOTS of photographers there, so grab a front-row spot early (bring
warm clothing especially hat and gloves).   Then head back down a short way
to a parking lot which is the trailhead for the approx. 1+ hour hike to the
top of Sentinel Dome (elev. 8122').  On top of the the dome you'll get a 360
degree view which can't be described.  A half-hour or so up there, then hike
back to your car and it should be about time to head back to the valley floor
for some lunch (not too many places to eat in Yo', we like to pack a lot of
snacks in the car when we go) and maybe to buy a souvenir or two.
While in the valley there are also great photo-ops.  You might like to shoot
the ever-popular shot of Half Dome from the Sentinel Bridge, with the Merced
river in the foreground.  Fall is best for this shot, because the river is
still and the reflection of the mountain in the water is wonderful.  I believe
mid-late afternoon is great for this shot, but of course weather in Yosemite
is very changeable and some days just aren't suited for magnificent vistas.
You could conceivably squeeze in another popular spot, but the mini-visit
I just described will give you a taste of Yosemite which is guaranteed to
draw you back for more, and with any luck you'll get some nice photographs
also.

Definitely you want to bring a tripod so you can shoot stopped-down for
the depth-of-field appropriate to this setting.  A pair of binoculars is
also great to have.  While in the valley you can stop at El Capitan Meadow
where people try to spot rock climbers up on El Cap' (there are always some
up there in decent weather, but it can be a challenge to spot them).

Some may think you're nuts if you do a trip like this.  Not me.

Regards,

Jay Keller
Santa Clara, California

badboy@netcom.com