Yosemite, Light and Landscapes — Fall 2018 PhotoTour
Details
“It is by far the grandest of all the special temples of Nature I was ever permitted to enter.” — John Muir, 1868.
There is a mystique surrounding Yosemite that strikes the core of almost every photographer. Stretching over 1100 sq miles, the park encompasses four distinct zones, any of which would be a photographers dream location, High Sierra, Granite Cliffs, Giant Sequoia Grove, and Valley Floor. As if this isn’t enough add in 17 waterfalls over 500 ft in height, including Yosemite Falls, the fifth tallest in the world with a drop of nearly ½ a mile (2425 feet).
The history of Yosemite National Park, dates back to the early 1860’s when Abraham Lincoln protected a portion of current park by signing the Yosemite Grant in 1864.This granted limited protection that staved off development for several decades. However, it took the efforts of John Muir (founder of the Sierra Club) and others to persuade Congress and President Benjamin Harrison to create Yosemite national Park on October 1, 1890. This protected the park form overgrazing, logging of giant sequoias and development.
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This 7 day, 6 night PhotoTour will concentrate on landscape photography. Each day we will concentrate on specific regions within the park. Every effort will be made to be at locations that offer the best views at the time day with the best light for the selected location. This will include iconic locations and views such as Tunnel View, Glacier Point, Mirror Lake, Lower Catherdal Lake, Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoia, Artist Point, High Sierra and much more. Weather permitting we will also visit the famous Ghost Town of Bodie, CA. If weather permits, we will also attempt to photograph the Milky Way one of the nights we are in the park.
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Day 1 | San Francisco and El Portal
You'll be met on your incoming flight by guide/photographers Jeff and Theresa Donald. Once the entire group has arrived we’ll depart on a 3 ½ hour trip to our base camp in El Portal, a gateway to Yosemite National Park and the High Sierra.
Upon arrival and check in, PhotoTour travelers will have several hours to get settled into their rooms and explore the resort. Dinner is as a group and after dinner the group will have a Q&A session.
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Day 2 | Yosemite National Park
Today the group will enter the valley and spend time around the Visitor Center and areas along the Merced River. Lunch will be at a Cafe. In the afternoon the group will spend time exploring the valley floor before heading over to Bridalveil Falls for the possible rainbow at sunset photos. Dinner will be in the park.
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Day 3 | Yosemite National Park
Today we'll head to one of the giant sequoia groves. Yosemite has three groves and depending on conditions, we'll visit one of the groves this morning. The trail is a little over 3 miles roundtrip. Ample time is allotted for photography so relax and enjoy the morning amount the giants.
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After lunch we'll head to Glacier Point Road with stops along the way for the famous panoramic view of the valley from the tunnel entrance. We'll arrive at the end of the road, Glacier Point, and explore the area and at sunset get photos of Half Dome and the valley below. Dinner will be at the hotel or a nearby restaurant.
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Day 4 | Yosemite National Park
Today we'll get up early to catch sunrise along the Merced River and the valley floor. We'll spend time photographing the sun rising on El Capitn and then explore several of the meadows and streams. Fall colors should be at their peak and they'll provide great reflections in the rivers and streams. Lunch will be in the valley.
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After lunch the group will explore more opportunities in the valley and prepare for the sunset on Half Dome. This is on of the iconic images of Yosemite. Dinner will be in the park.
Day 5 | Yosemite National Park
Today we'll head into the High Sierras towards our destination of Bodie, CA. Along the way we'll cross over Tioga Pass (9945 ft) and explore several scenics areas. Toulumne Meadows and several of the alpine lakes with majestic mountains in the background. Lunch is in Lee Vining.
After lunch we'll head to Bodie, probably the best preserved ghost town in the West. Bodie was a thriving mining town of 10,000 residents in the 1800's and existed until WWII put an end to the last mine and the remaining residents left in the late 1940's.
Today Bodie is preserved by the State of California and is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. The group will spend several hours exploring the town and it's 100 or so remaining buildings.
Our next stop on our way back to Yosemite is Mono Lake. We'll explore several areas as the sun sets on the unique structures the outline the parts of the shoreline. Dinner is in the park.
Day 6 | Yosemite National Park
Our last full day in the park will be spent in an around the valley. We'll look for scenes with the best color, best light, best clouds etc. This may include Glacier Point, and the Valley from the Tunnel. Lunch is in the park.
After lunch we'll do more of the same and may include a short hike to one or two of the waterfalls that offer the best light or fall colors etc. Dinner is at the hotel.
Day 7 | El Portal and San Francisco
Today we have a leisurely breakfast and pack for our return to San Francisco International Airport and your return flights to Tampa. Lunch will be on the way back to San Francisco.
Most, if not all of the activities and photo opportunities will be within 300 yards or less of the side of the road or the parking lots at picnic areas, waterfalls etc. This is a very age friendly trip in regard to the distances traveled on foot. However, almost all of Yosemite is 4000 Ft and higher in elevation. The most strenuous activity will be our exploitation of Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoia trees. This hike is 3 miles round trip and at about 6000 feet in elevation.
Those with any physical limitations are urged to consult with their physician about the suitability of the trip for their specific conditions. Most of the trip is above 6000 feet and include elevations of just over 10,000 for short periods. It is suggested that you discuss the elevations with your physician any necessary prescription drugs for higher altitudes. Theresa is a retired nurse and can offer limited advice and treatment throughout the tour.
There will be two optional retire meetings. The dates and times will be announced several months before departure. The meetings cover topics such as what clothing to bring, airline travel, what equipment to bring etc.
Gateway Airport is San Francisco International Airport, California. Please arrange your airfare after receiving receipt for your deposit. Arrival window in San Francisco is between 12 Noon and 4 PM on October 24, 2018. Search Priceline or Orbitz (http://www.orbitz.com/) for airfares from your home city.
As an added convenience, Jeff & Theresa will be happy to transport all your camera gear when they drive out. There is no additional charge for this service. This insures your gear will arrive on time and not be lost or damaged by the airline. It also may reduce the added expenses of checking additional luggage.
If you will be renting equipment, please consider using Lens Rental.com, Lensrental.com (http://www.pjatr.com/t/TUJGRktHSkJGS0dJS0xCRkpOSkVN). We can pickup the equipment at a nearby FedEx location. Jeff will also return the rented equipment to FedEx at the end of the trip. This will save you money by reducing the number of days the gear is rented. If you have questions about gear rental please contact Jeff.
Expert instruction is provided throughout the PhotoTour. If we have a rain day, instruction in various editing software will be provided. Critiques of your photos are also available.
The registration fee of $2,999 (double occupancy) covers all ground transportation, 6 nights lodging in El Portal, CA, 6 breakfasts, admission fee to YNP, admission fee to Bodie State Park, pickup and return transportation to the airport in San Francisco.
Not covered are any incidentals, lunches, dinners, roundtrip airfare, tips. Please add $500 for single occupancy. There are several discounts available. If you have traveled on a prior FCCP PhotoTour, you may deduct 10% from the tour cost.
A deposit of $900 per person is required to hold your spot. The balance is due no later than July 1, 2017. After that date an administrative fee of $250 will be deducted from your refund. No refunds within 14 days of the start of the tour unless the space can be filled.
Yosemite, Light and Landscapes — Fall 2018 PhotoTour