Yosemite Fall Colors

Yosemite Fall Colors Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean. -John Muir, Yosemite Valley Pricing, Dates & Booking For current pricing, trip dates & online reservations please see our website. Trip Packets Our PDF Trip Packets are being updated all the time. Ensure you have the most recent version by clicking here. Last Published: March 25, 2019

Trip Overview Yosemite National Park is reminiscent of names like John Muir and Ansel Adams. It is an icon of American Mountain Scenery and one of the world s first National Parks. The beauty and history of this place is unparalleled from the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada to the mirror-like Merced River as it courses through Yosemite Valley. Yosemite is a land carved by glaciers. As the land was lifted upwards, an estimated 4000 feet of ice sculpted the igneous batholith of Yosemite and moved slowly down steam to create a massive U-Shaped Valley for which Yosemite is so famous. This glacial artistry is responsible for creating the well-known granite domes such as El Capitan, Sentinel & Half-Dome. Yosemite was set aside as a National Park in 1890 and a world heritage site in 1984. This is a unique opportunity to photograph and hike Yosemite during the spectacular fall color season. Yosemite is one of the most unique natural wonders on our planet and provides jaw dropping opportunities for landscape photography, waterfalls, rainbows and wildlife! The light

is soft in the fall and the colors are vibrant making for superb landscape photography opportunities. We schedule this trip in late fall to take advantage of Yosemite Valley s brilliant foliage when it is turning red and gold or it s outstanding waterfalls during Spring. Experience Yosemite with a knowledgeable guide and instructor who has extensive hiking, guiding and photographing experience. The hiking version of this photography excursion features full days of hiking and photography from sunrise to sunset as we visit carefully selected locations in the best possible light, taking our time (key for us photographers!) exploring and photographing. We ll hit the iconic spots such as Half Dome, El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls and Glacier Point as well as many off the beaten path locations most people don t know about. This five day / four-night photography tour will be based out of our quaint & cozy lodge inside Yosemite National Park. Each evening after our photography session we will return to the lodge for some rest and relaxation, a great meal, photo reviews and instructor presentations! Join us in Yosemite this Spring or Fall for an incredible experience photographing one of the world s most beautiful and iconic locations! Highlights Bright, Fall Foliage in America s Iconic National Park Photograph dramatic Fall Colors around El Capitan, Half-Dome & Yosemite Falls Cooler temperatures mean far fewer tourists Photograph massive granite domes and idyllic waterfalls Small Groups Return to our cozy lodge each night to unwind Learn from & shoot alongside a seasoned pro

Noteworthy Travel Logistics This trip begins & ends in Fresno, California We will meet at 6pm at the: Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Fresno Convention Center* 2233 Ventura Street, Fresno, California, 93721, USA +1-559-268-1000 *Please note: Exact hotel is subject to change - equivalent hotel may be substituted. If you are planning on arriving early or staying late please contact us. The airport to fly in/out is Yosemite Fresno International (FAT) We should be back in Fresno no later than 2:00pm on the last day of the trip. Transportation On-Tour We will provide transportation throughout the trip from Fresno, CA to Yosemite National Park and back. If you have a vehicle you can leave it at our lodge inside Yosemite National Park.

Itinerary Please note: We offer both a standard and hiker version of this trip for photographers who like to get out and hike! Not sure which one suits you best? Give us a call at 928-478-1521 or fill out the contact form below! Most meals included (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 1 (Travel Day)(D) We will meet at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Fresno Convention Center at 6pm the first evening of the trip for an orientation and welcome dinner. This hotel is right across the street from the Fresno/Yosemite International Airport and they have a complimentary airport shuttle. Day 2 (B,L,D) Hiker Itinerary: 4-5 miles, minimal elevation gain. We ll be up and at em early for a pre-dawn drive to Yosemite Valley. After our morning photography session, we ll spend the day hiking the nuances of Yosemite Valley. This will be an easier day on foot to

acclimatize and we ll spend some quality time on photographic instruction and rest up for the evening s session at Tunnel View and a bigger day tomorrow. This evening we ll head to Tunnel View which has arguably one of the best evening photography spots in all of Yosemite. This incredible vista popularized by Ansel Adams is an iconic image that we will spend some time getting just right. From the vantage at Tunnel View you can see El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, Cathedral Rocks and Half-Dome. Standard Itinerary: We ll be up and at em early for a pre-dawn drive to Yosemite Valley. After our morning photography session we ll spend the day hiking the nuances of Yosemite Valley. This evening we ll head to Tunnel View which has arguably one of the best sunset spots in all of Yosemite. This incredible vista popularized by Ansel Adams is an iconic image that we will spend some time getting just right. From the vantage at Tunnel View you can see El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, Cathedral Rocks and Half-Dome. Day 3 (B,L,D) Hiker Itinerary: seven miles, 1000 feet elevation gain. After a late breakfast we ll drive to our trailhead along the Tioga Pass Road for a hike to Cathedral Lake. This is an excellent hike into the high country that will position us for some wonderful late afternoon photography. Our destination is upper Cathedral Lake a stunning alpine lake in lovely granite meadows with Cathedral Peak towering above it. In the right light this can be one of the most dramatic images in all of Yosemite. Before our hike we will climb to the top of the dome at Olmsted Point for a sunrise shot and look east to see Tenaya Lake, Mt. Conness, and many other High Sierra peaks. To the west is Cloud s Rest, just left of Half Dome; across Tenaya Canyon, facing Half Dome, is serene Mt. Watkins.

After a great day photographing in the field it s back to the lodge for a much-deserved gourmet dinner, rest and relaxation! Standard Itinerary We ll begin today with a pre-dawn drive to Olmsted Point, one of the best locations to photograph Yosemite in the morning light. The view west from Olmsted Point, down Tenaya Canyon toward Yosemite Valley, provides a unique and striking perspective of Half Dome. Foreground opportunities include glacial erratics (boulders deposited by retreating glaciers), round indentations that fill with water after a rain, linear grooves, very unique trees, and even a few wildflowers if we re lucky. After a great day photographing in the field it s back to the Lodge for a much deserved gourmet dinner, rest and relaxation! Day 4 (B,D) Hiker Itinerary: Five miles, 1400 feet elevation gain. This morning we ll photograph Upper Yosemite Falls from the Swinging Bridge. This is an excellent viewpoint that tends to get its best light mid-morning and features stunning reflections and dramatic views of the Upper Falls. After photographing this location we ll hike the falls, which is one hike you ll never forget! The Upper Yosemite Falls Trail promises a challenging, steep work out with up-close views of North America s highest waterfall and panoramic views of Yosemite Valley. Beginning at Camp 4, the legendary epicenter of Yosemite s big wall climbing era, the trail ascends numerous switchbacks to Columbia Point, where Half Dome dominates an awe-inspiring view of Yosemite Valley. Beyond the point, the impressive Upper Yosemite Falls comes into view, offering a refreshing spray of mist along with the thundering sight of tons of water dropping straight down 1430 ft. After climbing switchbacks through a break in the Valley wall, the trail tops out on the rim in a forest of impressive Jeffrey pines. Here we will photograph Yosemite

Falls from above in the beautiful evening light before heading back down the trail. Standard Itinerary: This morning we ll photograph Upper Yosemite Falls from the Swinging Bridge. This is an excellent viewpoint that tends to get its best light mid-morning and features stunning reflections and dramatic views of the Upper Falls. We will spend the afternoon critiquing and reviewing previous photographs from the trip from the comfort of our in-park lodging. Weather permitting we will venture out to photograph other iconic landscapes within the park particularly during the more fanciful evening light. Day 5 (B,D) Hiker Itinerary: Mileage 6-9 miles 1000-1900 feet elevation gain. We ll begin with a trek along the Mist Trail to photograph both Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls two of Yosemite s most impressive waterfalls. These gems are best photographed in mid-morning during even light. Liberty Cap, Grizzly Peak, the Panorama Cliffs, Sentinel Dome, Glacier Point and even Half Dome will be rising all around us during this wonderful full-day trek. We ll enjoy a picnic lunch in the high country next to an impressive waterfall overlook before descending back to the valley floor. This evening with weather conditions permitting, we ll drive up to what many consider the most impressive vantage point in Yosemite Glacier Point. This dramatic, awe-inspiring viewpoint looks straight down into Yosemite Valley, 3,000 vertical feet below. We can gaze across the Valley to take in the entire plunge of Yosemite Falls, and get an upclose and personal view of Half-Dome as well as Nevada and Vernal Falls. This is an iconic sunset shot in which we ll make sure to spend the necessary time to capture it just right.

After shooting well into the evening we ll retire to our cozy lodge near Yosemite Falls listen to the roar of the falls from your room! Standard Itinerary: We will catch the early morning light at one of the many accessible viewpoints in the park. This evening with weather conditions permitting, we ll drive up to what many consider the most impressive vantage point in Yosemite Glacier Point. This dramatic, awe-inspiring viewpoint looks straight down into Yosemite Valley, 3,000 vertical feet below. We can gaze across the Valley to take in the entire plunge of Yosemite Falls, and get an upclose and personal view of Half-Dome as well as Nevada and Vernal Falls. This is an iconic sunset shot in which we ll make sure to spend the necessary time to capture it just right. After shooting well into the evening we ll retire to our cozy lodge near Yosemite Falls listen to the roar of the falls from your room! Day 6 (B,L) Hiker Itinerary: Four miles, 500 feet elevation gain. Today s hike takes us into Yosemite s biggest trees the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoia trees. After some important photographic instruction regarding photographing these early giants we ll hike the lower and upper loops snapping shots of Wawona Valley and the 2700 year old Grizzly Giant tree, as well as getting in-depth photographs of several other Giant Sequoia trees in the grove. This will be our final stop in Yosemite. We ll leave this once-in-a-lifetime adventure with unforgettable memories, enhanced landscape photography skills, and digital cards full of stunning images! Standard Itinerary: Today s hike takes us into Yosemite s biggest trees the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoia trees. We will give you some important

photographic instruction regarding photographing these early giants. This will be our final stop in Yosemite. We ll leave this once-in-alifetime adventure with unforgettable memories, enhanced landscape photography skills, and digital cards full of stunning images! We should be back in Fresno no later than 2pm for flights home. Please Note: Please note that the exact sequence of the itineraries on all photography trips will be based on weather and lighting conditions. The goal on these trips is to make sure we are at the right place at the right time for the perfect light on our subjects. Also, itineraries can change for a variety of other circumstances including floods, forest fires, national park closures, road closures and more. Due to the nature of wildlife and nature photography we do not guarantee any specific sightings or specific compositions regarding wildlife or natural phenomena.

Trip Details Physical Requirements All participants must be in good physical condition and have the ability to hike/ walk with camera equipment and essential hiking gear. For example, tripod, camera, lense(s), sunscreen, water (up to 2 liters person), snacks, and extra layers (if necessary). The weight of your pack largely depends on what gear you choose to bring on each hike. Typically backpacks weigh between 15 and 20 lbs. For those serious photography buffs packs could reach 35 lbs! But remember the choice is yours Solely for the Hiker Itinerary our tour participants must also be able to hike several miles each day between 2 and 8 miles per day for several days in a row. These hikes will be on some trails with uneven and occasionally steep terrain. Group Size We keep groups small to maximize your one on one time with the guide/instructor. Trip Length 6 days Mileage Hiker Itinerary: Approximately 25-30 miles for the duration of the trip. Standard Itinerary: Approximately 3 miles for the duration of the trip. Pack Weight 15-30 lbs Fitness Level: Hiker Itinerary: Moderate to strenuous hikes from 4-8 miles a day on uneven and sometimes very steep terrain. Standard Itinerary: No more than 1 mile in a day and under three miles for the duration of the trip.

Meeting Time and Place 6pm on day one at the Piccadilly Inn Airport in Fresno, CA Trip Conclusion Fresno, California no later than 2pm on day six. We can drop you off right at the airport! Price/Start Dates: Please see our website for current Yosemite Fall Colors Pricing and Dates Accommodation We will be staying at the Yosemite Valley Lodge for four nights which is walking distance to the tallest waterfall in North America Upper Yosemite Falls! Meals Most meals are included during the trip dates and we typically eat at park lodges in the evening. We often eat snacks and prepare lunch on the trail. We typically return for a late breakfast, or eat breakfast on the road during photography trips as we are often out early to capture the morning light. There will be one evening with dinner on your own. Weather Expect warm pleasant days and chilly nights. The weather is generally somewhat adverse in the fall however it makes for breathtaking photos. Remember some of the best photographs are made before, during and immediately after a storm cycle. There is no such thing as bad weather just poor layering and gear choices please plan accordingly! For more info on what to bring please email or call us. Make sure you are prepared for rain! General links to Weather Conditions: Little Yosemite Valley Weather forecast and Tioga Pass Weather forecast We recommend checking the weather prior to your trip departure to plan your gear and clothing packing accordingly.

Price Includes Most meals, ground transportation, accommodation during the trip dates from the evening of day one through the morning of day six, professional photography instruction, park entrance fees, medically certified wilderness guide. Price Does Not Include Airfare, alcoholic beverages, accommodations before or after the trip dates, Souvenirs, one meal on your own, guide & staff gratuities (industry standard is typically 10%-20% of the trip cost based on your experience.) Conditioning for Photography Trips (for the Hiker Itinerary only) Hiker Itinerary: We will be hiking between 4-8 miles per day typically. The better shape you re in, the more you will enjoy the trip. Even if you are very athletic, we recommend walking as often as possible with 15-20 pounds in your backpack, wearing the boots you plan to hike in. You can alternate this with other cardiovascular & strength routines. Balance is critical on rough ground. Whatever you can do to improve your balance will pay big dividends. Always consult your physician before commencing with a workout program. Training by Hiking The absolute best way to train is by doing the activity you are training for. If you live where there are trails with 1. Uneven, rocky surfaces 2. Steep terrain 3. And where you can hike several miles Begin by training with a light backpack and hike at least 3 times/week. The most difficult part of hiking for most beginners is the terrain with uneven footing, the next is the steepness or incline of a trail or hike,

then the distance. Unless you are already in very good shape it is best to start training at least 3 months before your trip. If where you live there are no hills, or steep uneven trails your next best bet would be walking stairs; for example, hiking up and down stairs will work muscles used in both uphill and downhill hiking activities. Find a building with many stories, or a stadium with many steps for your training ground. Make sure all the while that you use the boots you plan to bring on the tour during your training. Next to increase your cardiovascular fitness you will probably need to implement some cross training, and additional cardio activities into your training unless you live and train at high altitude already. A few of the hikes will reach more than 5,000 feet in elevation! That is similar in elevation to the mile-high city of Denver, Colorado to put it in perspective. Cardiovascular fitness, as well as proper pre-hydration shortly before your trip will immensely improve your experience as well as others experience on the tour, drink at least two liters of water per day as least 3 days before your trip starts! Additional Training activities include: Bike or walk to commute to work or run errands, carry your work supplies in a backpack if you are walking. Make time for an afternoon or morning bike ride. This will help increase your cardiovascular fitness as well as increase strength and endurance in your legs. Join a gym to utilize their classes or equipment. Many gyms have stair climbers, treadmills, ellipticals, and stationary bikes. All of which will help with your cardiovascular fitness. Swimming is a great way to build endurance and cardiovascular fitness and is easy on the joints. Yoga and/or Pilates classes are the best way to increase your flexibility and stability, both of which are very important for hiking on uneven terrain with weight on your back. Jogging or running can be great for cardiovascular fitness, however be careful implementing this activity into your training unless you are

already a runner, or jogger. Running without proper supplemental training can cause injuries. Lodging & Meals Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours & Workshops include most meals, lodging from day one through the morning of the last day of the tour, ground -transportation while on the tour, National Park entrance fees, guide fees and other items essential to a successful trip meaning that once you are there all you will have to focus on is your photography. We can accommodate most special diets so please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions.

Gear List This gear list should answer a lot of your gear questions so please read through this carefully. If you still have questions, please give me a call. While hiking your clothing is a system of layers that you add and subtract according to the weather and temperature. A good pair of good synthetic Smartwool type socks under sturdy boots works well. Clothing should be light-weight nylon pants (maybe base-layers), a polypro shirt and either a sunhat or warm hat depending on the weather. As weather conditions change add insulating and waterproof layers to your base setup. Don t bring any cotton clothing. Cotton is not a good insulator and once it gets wet it takes forever to dry. Absolutely no jeans! Photo and Field Gear for: Yosemite Fall Colors Please Note: This following is the packing list for the Standard and the Hiker Itinerary. If an item specifically pertains only to the Hiker Itinerary, it will be followed by the words Hiker Itinerary. If an item pertains only to the Standard Itinerary, it will be followed by the words: Standard Itinerary. All other items pertain to both trips. Required Camera Gear: DSLR or Mirrorless Camera. (Nikon, Canon, Sony, Panasonic etc.) Medium telephoto zoom lens (100 400mm zoom or equivalent) Normal Lens (50mm or equivalent zoom) Wide-angle lens (10-20mm, 16-35mm or equivalent zoom) Sturdy but lightweight Tripod (must be able to carry this for hikes) Memory Cards Batteries, batteries, batteries (enough said?) Battery Chargers Filters such as a circular polarizer and neutral density are a must. Lens cleaning pen & cloth Camera Day Pack (this should appropriately carry all your camera & hiking gear and have a rain cover)

Camera Rain Sleeve Optional (but recommended) Camera Gear: Back-Up Camera Body Long fixed telephoto lens: 500mm or 600mm Macro lense 1.4x tele converter Laptop Computer with Lightroom / Photoshop Pre-Installed (for personal use in hotels for downloading images while on tour) External Hard Drives Remote Shutter Trigger Camera s Instruction Manual Suggested Field Gear & Clothing: Personal Field Clothing (think layers) Warm top, such as a long-sleeved sweater or fleece jacket Long pants, or convertible hiking pants, one pair of leggings or lightweight trousers to block sun and give warmth at night Warm Hat & Gloves (This is a Must!) Down Jacket Softshell Jacket lightly insulated windproof/breathable jacket for layering and protection from wind Long Underwear (synthetic top & bottom) Shorts & T-Shirts for on the trail during warmer temperatures Hiking Socks (Smartwool, Darn Tough etc.) Brimmed Sun Hat Sunglasses Sturdy Hiking Boots Hiker Itinerary Good walking or tennis shoes Standard Itinerary Casual wear, for your evenings off the trail Water Bottle or Hydration System (2 liters) Rain shell, waterproof/breathable jacket Rain Pants underwear Gaiters (optional) Hiker Itinerary Headlamp (with extra batteries, for sunrise and sunset shoots)

Shooting Gloves Pocket knife (optional) Hiker Itinerary Binoculars (optional) Trekking poles (optional) Hiker Itinerary Prescription medication Sunscreen Bug spray Knee pads (for low-angle shooting) Personal toiletries Money, for tipping your guide (industry standard is generally 10%-20% of the trip cost based on your experience), and for any personal expenses not included in the tour package such as alcoholic beverages, a few of the meals, souvenirs, etc. This is a general list. Please call with any questions! Note on Packing for the tour:please pack your extra clothing, toiletries, extra camera gear, and other travel items into a suitcase, duffel or travel bag. You will not bring all your camera gear on every hike or outing. Each evening you will be briefed on which lenses, filters, etc. you will need to carry the following day on the scheduled tour or hike.

Registration To book your reservation with Backcountry Journeys a deposit is required for each person on a trip. Depending on the trip, deposits are usually 30%-50% of the trip cost. All our trips can be reserved using our secure online registration form. If booking within 120 days of departure full payment is required in order to make a reservation. Please note: Your final balance will automatically be charged to the card you used to initially book the trip 120 days prior to the departure date. We will send a reminder email a few weeks out. If paying via check, money order, wire-transfer or PayPal we will send a payment reminder before the 120 day due date. If you are booking within 120 days your final balance will automatically be charged to your credit or debit card within 7 days of making this reservation. Payments, Cancellations & Refund Policy All prices are quoted in US dollars and all payments must be paid in US dollars. For deposits we accept Visa, MasterCard and PayPal. Final payment of the trip fee is due 120 days prior to departure. Trip deposits are non-refundable. Acceptance of any participant is subject to receipt and review of all required forms, documents, and payment. We must receive written notice of your cancellation, at which time cancellation fees in the following amounts apply: 121 or more days prior to departure: 100% of deposit plus a per person $100 administration fee 120 days or less prior to departure: 100% of trip fee No partial refunds are made for unused portions or services of a trip for any reason whatsoever. Trips are sold as a package only. All our Workshops & Tours are subject to the realities of the natural world. Although we will do everything in our power to stay on itinerary, circumstances including but not limited to permit availability, snowpack, river crossings, wildlife, park or public land closures, and

forest fires can affect our itineraries. The price and duration of a trip will never change once you are registered. Payments are not refundable for any itinerary change. Backcountry Journeys reserves the right to cancel trips. If this is the case a full refund of the amount paid will be given, including the deposit. Backcountry Journeys is not responsible for additional expenses incurred preparing for the trip (for example: non-refundable advance purchase air tickets, clothing, equipment, visa fees, medical expenses, etc.). Transfer Policy If you transfer from one trip to another: 120 or more days prior to the trip start date, there is a $50 administration fee. Less than 119 days prior to the trip start date, regular cancellation and refund policies will apply. Travel Insurance Sometimes life happens, and you must cancel because of unforeseen circumstances. We highly recommend protecting your travel investment and purchasing a trip insurance policy that includes emergency evacuation coverage. Travel insurance provides you with trip cancellation/interruption, travel delay, medical expenses, emergency assistance, air flight, baggage and baggage delay coverages. Medical coverage purchased with your policy is crucial and required if you do not have health insurance. Please note that Backcountry Journeys does not recommend or endorse any particular plan or insurance company as everyone has different insurance requirements. You will likely find several good options for travel insurance plans at www.insuremytrip.com.

Our Promise Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours & Workshops offer you a seamless adventure travel experience where we handle the details so you can focus on photography. Our world-class service and small groups allow for a personalized experience that allows you plenty of one on one time with your instructor. Joining a Backcountry Journeys Photography Tour is embarking on the trip of lifetime. Really. All our locations are hand-selected to provide you with unique one of a kind photographic experience. It s like no other kind of Journey. Our trips give you more time in the field to work on your photography as we ve got the logistics handled. We focus on the quality of the experience and the photography. Backcountry Journeys is set apart by our commitment to offer the finest outdoor photography travel experience in the industry. What does that

mean? It means we are dedicated to bringing you an unsurpassed travel experience with impeccable attention to detail. We ve got you covered from the moment you first contact us, to our fine-tuned photographic itineraries, the excellent lodging we select for our trips and our goal of ensuring you are at the right place at the right time. We re in the business of making it easy for you. The intentional decision to remain a small independent business with a focus on being the best means that our trips grow more cohesive each year. It means we don t cut corners and our service remains world-class as an owner operated business. When you reserve a trip with Backcountry Journeys you know you re purchasing quality as you know the level of effort, care and attention to detail poured into every Tour & Workshop. After all, our reputation is our most important asset and our consistency in delivering amazing experiences speaks volumes as our guests return year after year to photograph new & different locations. Backcountry Journeys is in the business of providing not just Photography Tours but vacations where you will leave with memories that will last a lifetime. Sincerely, Russ Nordstrand Founder & Director Backcountry Journeys