I never realized while growing up just how lucky I was to live within driving distance of Yosemite National Park. When I was a kid anything over 20 minutes seemed painstakingly long in the car. I’m sure my sister and I annoyed our parents with the well known kids car ride mantra “are we there yet.” Although it wasn’t a destination our family took often, I have vivid memories of going there randomly throughout the years. One such memory was staring up at the impossibly large and sheer granite walls, rock climbers suspended half way to the top of El Capitan. Seeing faint lights bouncing about as the sun nearly disappeared, I couldn’t grasp what my parents were telling me: that the climbers would sleep suspended up on the walls overnight!
Another fond memory was drinking hot chocolate at the Ahwahnee and staying warm next to the oversized and glorious fireplace. Although I’ve been traveling to Yosemite Valley occasionally for most of my life it’s only been the last five or six years that I’ve traveled to this historic and iconic national park more consistently.
Yosemite Valley is awe inspiring to everyone but to photographers and adventurers it might be one of the greatest places on the entire planet. The idea that I’m standing in the same general spot as Ansel Adams did 85 years ago is remarkable and inspirational. The park is far busier today than when Ansel first photographed it (there are roughly 3.3 million visitors annually), but the unique features it presents remain the same. Yosemite’s status as a National Park has kept it pristine for over 130 years and millions of people have been able to enjoy her spectacular beauty.
The entirety of Yosemite National Park is huge and my visits have barely scratched the surface. The valley is where I’ve spent the majority of my time exploring and photographing landscapes. For eight miles from east to west the layout of the park is so well designed that you can walk, bike or drive around the Valley Loop from one iconic landmark to the next. I’ve spent more of my recents trips to Yosemite in the winter months, ideally making the drive to the park when I see a few days of snow in the forecast. It’s hard to beat hiking around with friends or rolling solo and watching the weather change throughout the day with a camera in hand.
Most trips I’ll find myself staying up late to photograph the stars then waking up early to see a fresh coat of snow blanketing the tops of the trees and the mountains. It’s always worth the drive and I encourage you to put aside at least a few days to go explore as often as you have the time, just as I do.
-Chachi
