The drive south on Highway 395 in eastern California in late October looks like the setting from an old western movie. The highway rolls from the Nevada border near Lake Tahoe down to Mono Lake and crosses the road leading into Yosemite National Park. – photo by Joe Alexander
The massive Mono Lake in California is east of the entrance to Yosemite National Park.
The valley in Yosemite National Park in late afternoon: El Capitan (above) and Half Dome.
Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park offers one of the most popular viewpoints of the valley including Half Dome.
Bridal Veil Falls is brought to light by full sunlight by late afternoon. Even at the end of autumn when the water levels in Yosemite Falls are lower, it is a an impressive sight.
The sunshine in Yosemite National Park is barely making its way over the ledge. While I was standing there, the wind shifted and pushed the path of the falls to the left.
By late October in Yosemite National Park, the previous winter’s snow has already melted away. Yosemite Valley Falls is dry and there are lower water levels in the Merced River and at Bridal Veil Falls.
The colors in Yosemite National Park take on different intensities as the day progresses. The dark side of Half Dome in the morning will light up in the afternoon.
El Capitan in Yosemite National Park in late morning.
There is an area of whiter/lighter rock where there was a recent rockslide and sent tons of rubble into the valley.
They refer to late fall as “Rocktober” for the perfect weather for rock climbers.
On the second day of my trip, I got to Yosemite Valley shortly after sunrise.
I ran into a couple of the locals as they were out having breakfast.
