sunnyindy Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Hi, I'm planning for President Day weekend photo trip. I'm planning to go maybe Yosemite or Sequoia - Kings Canyon. I'm hoping to see "winter scene." Has anyone been one of the parks recently? Or anyone knows winter conditions there?? Or do you recommend any other places??? (We only have 2 nights 3 days from San Diego.) Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hugh_sakols Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Sunny, I live in El Portal, 17 miles from Yosemite Valley. It has been quite warm and raining in the Valley. I know it did snow yesterday at Crane Flat on hwy 120 at 6000 ft so I imagine the rim of the valley is covered with at least some snow. www.yosemitecollection.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sergey_oboguev Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Check Yosemite webcams. http://www.yosemite.org/vryos/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copeg Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 I'll second checking out the webcams. There are some storms moving through now but they are quite warm and snow levels are high. As an alternative, you could consider driving up the eastern sierra toward the Mammoth area. There are so many places to photograph along that route that, being a photographer or just a nature lover, its like being a kid in a candy store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robcarlimages.com Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Don't be fooled by the View from below Sentinel Dome webcam...you can't get up there right now (short of cross country skiing). It's been so warm that the snow level is pretty high...maybe 6500 feet...check it on one of the weather sites to be sure. Then use that elevation to plan against. You'll probably be limited to Crane Flat or the Badger Pass area for fresh snow. President's Day was wonderful last year for snowy scenes in the Valley. Another system is coming through late next week, but I don't have any idea if the snow level will fall with it. There's also a webcam at Sequoia-Kings Canyon <a href="http://www2.nature.nps.gov/air/webcams/parks/sekicam/sekicam.cfm" >Sequoia Webcam</a> But as you can see...no snow. Good Luck wherever you go, and have fun! We're headed to Death Valley for President's Day...<a href="http://www.robcarlimages.com" >Rob Carl Images</a> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg s Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 I saw a news bit last weekend on the lack of snow in Yosemite and was totally amazed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robcarlimages.com Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 The rain this weekend and next will still probably make for good shooting when the sun comes out, especially if it's sunny in the AM. As the sun comes across the valley it heats up the damp ground and you get localized pockets of fog rising. You can follow the fog banks/pockets through the valley as the sun rises in the sky and get some great shots throughout the day. It's so much better than those "bluebird" days. <a href="http://www.robcarlimages.com" >Rob Carl Images</a> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sergey_oboguev Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Just to think of it that I specifically shell out for snow shoes intending to shoot "winter scenes" in Yosemite this winter... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sergey_oboguev Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Just to think of it that I shelled out for the snow shoes specifically intending to shoot "winter scenes" in Yosemite this winter... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savagesax Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Winter conditions can change by the hour up there! I'd say to plan on snow. Have a great trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anish Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Check www.noaa.gov for the best forecasts. There is a storm moving into the sierra this weekend. Looks like 3+ feet will be falling in the high sierra, with snow levels down to 5500 feet. the snow will continue into next week as well, so depending where you go next weekend, you could very well find yourself in a winter wonderland. Yosemite Valley, being at 4000 ft, will probably only see rain, so if you're looking for winter scenes, that won't be your best bet. Entering Sequoia from the west (via either fFresno or Visalia) will give you plenty of "winter" as the sierra west of the crest gets the bulk of the snow. However, for photography, i would second the recommendation above to head to the Eastern Sierra (that's where I'll be that weekend). There likely won't be any snow in the Owens Valley itself, but a drive up any of the roads heading to the various trailheads will have you in snow in no time. And the Eastern Sierra mountain scenery is unmatched. And if you really want to feel like you're in the thick of winter, keep driving north on 395 towards Mammoth, and as you pass 7000' or so in elevation, it'll likely be nothing but snow all around. it's truly beautiful up there. I highly recommend the Eastern Sierra. Your drive from San Diego to Lone Pine (the beginning of the "High Sierra" region) will be 5+ hours, so plan accordingly. I would recommend leaving Saturday morning instead of Friday evening as the Vegas goers will have the 15 in a jam! Enjoy your trip. I shall enjoy mine!!! Anish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnyindy Posted February 9, 2007 Author Share Posted February 9, 2007 Hi, thank you for all. I appreciated infomation and suggestions, etc. So, Yosemite Valley is more likely rain around this time, I guess... but as Robert posted, foggy scene is also very attractive. We went to Eastern Sierra to Mammoth last President Day, and I enjoyed it. I might want to go back there... still not sure where I'll go this coming President Day. If anyone have further suggestions I'm happy to hear it. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anish Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 If you're not absolutely set on winter photography and would consider other options, Death Valley is an excellent choice. Great weather this time of year, and awesome scenery. Literally endless photographic opportunities. I've gone at least 10 times, and I always look forward to going back for more! Anish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff h. Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 I'm sitting in the Ahwahnee right now and it's pouring rain, enveloped in fog. Better luck next weekend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Morgan Posted February 11, 2007 Share Posted February 11, 2007 If you go to sequoia, kings canyon park you might call ahead and find out if the caves are open to the public, Graet photo ops Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_lawrence Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 I was in Yosemite this past week. It snowed on the Valley floor Saturday night/early Sunday morning. There were excellent snow scenes to be shot in the Valley until about 9:00am Sunday (Feb-11). Then the snow started to melt. By 12 noon almost all the snow had melted from the Valley floor. Winter conditions in Yosemite can change daily and are HIGHLY unpredictable. As example, the snow level for the Saturday night storm was predicted to be at 5500'. Yosemite Valley floor is at around 4000' elevation. Yet on Sunday morning the Valley floor was covered with snow! So if you go to Yosemite for the President's day weekend, be prepared for anything -- sun, rain, snow, fog, etc.. And if you want snow shots, there are established snowshoe and cross-country ski trails that are accessible from Badger Pass and Crane Flat. The Tuolumne Grove of Giants Sequoias is covered with snow. It's a one-mile one-way hike from Crane Flat. The snow covered Dewey Point valley overlook is about a 6 to 7 mile one-way snowshoe hike from Badger Pass. Also if the sky is clear during sunset, you might want to take a photograph of Yosemite's "natural" firefall, aka Horsetail Falls. Horsetail Falls can turn a fiery red in February when it reflects the light from the setting sun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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