Good Morning


We wake up early the next morning after staying at Yosemite View Lodge the previous night. We have no idea how spectacular the view is from the lodge until the morning, as it was dark when we checked in at 11pm the night before. We are greeted by the sunrise and cliff faces, and it couldn't have been a better start to the day.


You feel like you are already in the park before you technically are.

Driving Into the Park


We start stopping at view points before we even enter the park, that's how beautiful the valley is. Jeremy, Katrina, and I all stand on the edge of this hill, debating on if we should climb down, when Jeremy takes off. He finds a good route to go down, and Katrina and I follow suit, but not before I can snag pictures of him making his way down and then posing proudly on the log below.


PS - for those with cameras that want to complete similar adventures - I tuck my camera into my shirt/sweater. That way it can't swing and accidentally hit a rock as you're making your way up and down questionable terrain.


It is definitely worth it to make it down to the river. It is beautiful seeing the water trickle its way around the boulders and rocks.


We even find a big rock to climb up on, for a better view, and of course, for poses.

Icy mountain river winds through granite boulder field in winter landscape.
Towering granite cliff face rises above forested mountainside in dramatic afternoon light.
Hiker explores rocky riverbank with turquoise water and snow patches in mountain valley.
Crystal clear mountain stream flows between massive boulders with snow-capped peaks in background.
Joyful outdoor enthusiast celebrates on rocky outcrop with mountain scenery behind.
Hiker navigates rocky terrain along mountain trail beside river.
Frozen river meanders through rocky mountain canyon with evergreen forest.
Explorer traverses rocky slope near turquoise mountain stream in winter landscape.
Scenic mountain river flows through rocky canyon with evergreen trees on cliffs.
Adventure seeker sits on large fallen log in snowy riverbank.

Bridalveil Fall


The first sight we see upon entering the park borders is Bridalveil Fall.


The water all around it is low, as it gets in early spring before the winter snows melt and break forth. The water will typically be at its fullest in later spring before the hot summer weather hits and dries everything out. It is neat to see the snow that sticks to the rocks from the mist of the waterfall this time of year. I also find it interesting to see that the rocks are still dark and stained from the water from when the fall was at its fullest. Keeping this in mind, look how wide Bridalveil Fall gets in its prime.


Jeremy and I take the short hike to the base of the waterfall, and since the water is so low, we are able to climb on the rocks within the riverbed, getting closer to the fall itself.


It is a pretty windy day in Yosemite. If you ever question the power of wind, just refer to the images below and remember - it can move waterfalls!


Jeremy, Katrina, and I had each purchased sweatshirts that morning at our hotel's gift shop to combat the wind that day. Obviously, once we start hiking, it feels a lot warmer. I am constantly removing and putting back on my hoodie - but mine is a zip up, which makes it easy enough.


As we make our way back to the car from Bridalveil Fal, I notice how cool these stone bridges are that pass over the river runoffs from the fall. I make my way down, and stand on a rock to get a shot of one of the bridges.


​You can tell that there's a very thin layer of ice on top of the water where this was shot - but I still don't feel like sticking my shoes in the water for a more centered composition, especially since I am not wearing my waterproof boots!

Curved tree trunk among rocks and evergreen forest along hiking trail in Yosemite.
Scenic waterfall cascades down massive granite cliff at Yosemite National Park.
Black and white capture of waterfall streaming down steep rocky cliff with boulders below.
Stone bridge spans rushing stream surrounded by winter forest in ethereal blue light.
Bridalveil Falls flows down massive granite cliff face during blue hour in Yosemite National Park.
Towering waterfall cascades down rocky cliff face with large boulders in foreground.
Majestic waterfall plunges down steep rock face surrounded by evergreen forest in Yosemite Valley.
Dramatic black and white view of Bridalveil Falls cascading down granite cliffs in Yosemite National Park.
Dramatic waterfall plunges down towering rock face with scattered boulders at base.

Leidig Meadow


Just as with every national park, there is more to see than most tourists ever take the time to see in Yosemite - I'm talking about you El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Falls, and the Half Dome.


Just about everywhere you look, you see a beautiful landscape. The evergreens appear to be greener than usual against the yellow of the stone faced cliffs, and the golden hue of the land. 


The trees that go dormant during the winter have not quite woken up yet, which I am not surprised about considering it was early February, which make the evergreens stick out that much more against their surroundings.


It is interesting to me how the evergreens grow with the branches down below becoming barren, leaving the leafy branches towards the top the only pop of green.


Before we find our way to the paved trail which leads to the base of Yosemite Falls, we stop at this picnic area which includes a bridge with an amazing view of the namesake waterfall. The bridge is called Swinging Bridge.


I joke that since I am always the one taking photographs, that am rarely in them, so I take a photograph of Jeremy's and my shadows in humor. PS - my sister Katrina does have several photos of me in the park.


The land is truly golden during our time in Yosemite Park, something that I'm pretty used to seeing being from Colorado. The golden hue is gorgeous against the clear river which runs from Yosemite Falls, and the greenery of the trees along with the blue of the sky. The river is so clear, that the yellowed leaves and grasses that coated the bottom gave the water a golden hue as well.

El Capitan's massive granite face rises against blue sky in Yosemite Valley.
Close-up of weathered fallen tree trunk on forest floor.
Snow-capped granite cliffs reflect in clear waters of Merced River in Yosemite Valley.
Merced River flows past towering cliffs and Yosemite Falls in winter landscape.
Yosemite Falls cascades down granite cliffs with clear river in foreground.
Towering granite peaks of Cathedral Rocks rise above pine forests in Yosemite National Park.
El Capitan's massive granite face towers over Yosemite Valley against a bright blue sky.
Long shadows cast on golden ground showing silhouettes of visitors at a viewpoint.
Detail shot of gnarled tree roots and branches in sunlit forest ground.
Autumn leaves line the banks of Merced River with Yosemite Falls in background.

Yosemite Falls


Look how bundled up we all are! This is the famous paved path that leads to Yosemite Falls, and gives you a gorgeous view the entire time you are upon it.


Mom and Katrina are completely bundled up in hats, scarves, the works! By this point I am pretty warmed up from walking around and have my hood down from my sweatshirt.


Jeremy and I stand at the base of Yosemite Lower Falls with my mom and Katrina. Then, thinking Jeremy was following me, I set off into the woods to the left of the viewpoint to try to get a different angle of the waterfall. I have barely walked into the woods and turn around to notice he is not following me, and he is no longer within my view. He has gone somewhere else. I decide to continue hiking my way up towards the base of the fall. Eventually I make my way back out towards the open sky where the rocks are, and who do I see on the other side? My bearded man.


He is messaging me to figure out where I am, at it turns out we have cellular service in this very random spot within the park. I shout his name and he decides to climb across the rocks to join me on my side.


The photos to the right and below show how close we get to the fall. At this point the rocks are becoming slippery from the mist of the waterfall, and we have been away from my family for quite some time. It seems to be a good spot to stop. If the waterfall was in full force, we would not have been able to make this trek, but it is neat being there in February to be able to climb the river boulders to get to this view.


Jeremy takes the photograph of me (below). I had taken his first to ensure my settings were correct, and then we switched places so he could take my picture. I am appreciative to have a fiancé who has the patience to allow me to set my camera to have pictures of me taken. I am no longer the invisible camera woman!

Dramatic waterfall plunges down steep granite rock face with boulders scattered at its base.
Visitor admires majestic waterfall flowing down steep granite cliff face.
Small silhouette perches on rocky outcropping against massive cliff face.
Figure in blue stands among boulders beneath towering waterfall in mountain landscape.
Misty waterfall creates rainbow as it crashes down granite cliff face against bright blue sky.
Close-up view of dark textured tree bark in forest setting.
Majestic waterfall thunders down rocky cliff face surrounded by rugged terrain and boulders.
Silhouette stands on rocky terrain viewing powerful waterfall cascading down cliff face.
Waterfall flows dramatically down granite cliff with visitor viewing from rocky base.
Yosemite Falls cascades down massive granite cliffs surrounded by evergreen forest on a sunny day.
Waterfall flows down towering granite cliff with pine trees framing the natural scene.

Vernal Fall


Towards the end of the day, Jeremy and I set out on a hike, just the two of us.


The hike is to go up to Vernal Fall, or at least the bridge where you can see it from. It's a really steep hike the entire way, and I am exhausted by the time we make it to the top. 


It is so worth it though. The views you get are incredible, and you can see down the valley to Yosemite Falls.


We finally make it to the bridge to see Vernal Fall. We can hike further to actually get to the fall, but it is getting dark out and I don't feel like being on the steep trail that has no guard rail in the dark, ya know?


Plus, like I said, I am exhausted.


I get a picture of Jeremy on the bridge, and yes, he is carrying my backpack because he's an amazing fiancé. 


The bridge itself is beautiful.


​We make our way back down the trail, just as it starts to get dark, down under the trees. While I would have loved to continue hiking, I stand by the fact that it is wise to head back down so we aren't left in the dark.

Black and white photograph of wooden footbridge through forest with symmetrical railings.
Hiker overlooking the dramatic granite cliffs and valley of Yosemite National Park.
Moss-covered granite rock face displays vibrant yellow and green colors in natural lighting.
Towering granite walls of El Capitan rise above the forest in Yosemite National Park.
A winding paved trail meanders between large boulders and trees in a forest setting.
A cascading waterfall flows down granite cliffs surrounded by evergreen trees and autumn foliage.
Rocky canyon with massive granite walls and evergreen forest in Yosemite National Park.
Visitor stands on wooden bridge over rushing stream with rocky cliff face and forest in background.
Black and white image of Yosemite Falls cascading down massive granite cliffs through dense forest.
A rocky mountain stream winds through a forested valley with granite cliffs rising in the background.
Wooden boardwalk with rustic railings leads through tall pine trees toward mountain cliffs.
A rushing mountain stream flows over rocks with crystal clear water and emerald green pools.
Majestic granite cliffs of Yosemite Valley rise above the treeline against a blue sky.
Hiker walks along paved mountain trail next to steep granite cliff face in Yosemite.
Peaceful forest trail lined with tall pine trees and scattered autumn leaves.

Leaving the Park


We see this fluffy coyote looking for food near one of the campsites on our way out of the park. When he realizes I am watching him, he stands very still, trying to not be seen. I leave him alone, of course, but I am happy to see wildlife! 


​The sunset makes everything glow, and is magical to witness.


​Seeing El Capitan brightened by the sunset is the perfect way to end our day in Yosemite National Park.

Majestic El Capitan cliff face glows golden in evening light at Yosemite National Park.
Two deer graze among trees and rocks in a woodland clearing.
Towering granite mountain peaks rise above pine forest in morning light.
Massive granite cliff face in Yosemite National Park with evergreen forest below during golden hour.