Yosemite Valley in late morning

Yosemite Valley in late morning. - photo by Joe AlexanderBy 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.

Yosemite’s El Capitan in late morning

El Capitan in Yosemite National Park in late morning. - photo by Joe AlexanderEl 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.

The road to Yosemite

The drive to Yosemite National Park via the Tioga Pass road. - photo by Joe Alexander
The drive to Yosemite National Park via the Tioga Pass road.
I flew into Reno, Nevada to start my trip. From there I drove south into California and then west through the Yosemite National Park on the Tioga Pass road.

On the way I saw a little bit of last winter’s snow still on the mountains and got my first glimpse of Half Dome looming over the Yosemite Valley.