Yosemite’s Spectacular in the Fall

Yosemite isn’t the fall color capital. Nor are the waterfalls spectacular in fall, but if you know what to look for, Yosemite in the fall is awesome.

L.A. Times: “This isn’t the Fall Color Capital of Anything.

That doesn’t mean fall color’s not here, if you know where and how to look, and if expectations are rational.

Plus, it’s Yosemite, which means, in any color, it’s flat-out gorgeous. So this is a legitimate autumn destination — but understand that Yosemite in mid-October isn’t mountains and valleys covered with reds and golds and rusts.

We learned that when we scouted the place last year for what has become our annual autumn preview.

We also discovered that Yosemite in mid-October isn’t the Yosemite of mid-May.

For instance:

In the entire national park system, there may be no more spectacular view than the one from Yosemite’s Glacier Point.

Spread before us is the incomparable Yosemite Valley. From 3,200 feet above the valley floor, Half Dome, the park’s iconic split rock, is dramatic beyond description, which is why we’ll pass on trying to describe why. It just is.

Nevada Falls and, below them, Vernal Falls are little more than vertical white twine from this distance but somehow beautiful nonetheless.

And Yosemite Falls? The stuff of all those Ansel Adams note cards?

‘Is that smudge where Yosemite Falls would be?’

‘Yep,’ replies park ranger Dick Ewart, ‘that’s it. Yosemite Smudge.’”