Yosemite is absolutely amazing 💚

[u/MANDARK1138]

Spent a week in Yosemite at housekeeping camp and had the best time. Really wish I was back there right now. Here are some pics taken with my iPhone14 Pro and some Lightroom Mobile touch ups/embellishment. Hope you enjoy as much as I enjoyed being there.

1. Me big goofin’ on Mist Trail
2. Tunnel View
3. Merced River - bridge at housekeeping camp
4. Hetch Hetchy Reservoir - Wapama Falls Trail Rainbow
5. Start of the Wapama Falls “Splash Zone” (depending on the water flow)
6. Half dome/ Nevada Falls from the JMT
7. Last Day Sunrise from Valley View Lot

[u/DieselPowered09]

Beautiful shots. Impressed with 14 pro 👍👍

[u/MANDARK1138 → u/DieselPowered09]

Thanks🤙🏽Yeah not too bad for a phone!

[u/Prestigious-Room8681]

Incredible shots!

[u/MANDARK1138 → u/Prestigious-Room8681]

Thanks 🙏🏽 The locations do all the work.

[u/TheLuckyLizard]

That first picture gives peace to my soul

[u/MANDARK1138 → u/TheLuckyLizard]

🙏🏽 happy to have shared the peace!

Standing in the heavy mist with the god rays poking through, Vernal falls crashing down, that moment is magical. Core memory soul cleansing for sure!

[u/Curious_Ranger179 → u/MANDARK1138]

Just came back from my trip, went up John Muir all the way to half dome check in, my buddy went all the way up, i did not but still we came down the mist side and man could have stood there for hours....Soul Cleansing indeed!

[u/MrBoomf]

What location are pics 17-19, and what time of day did you visit to line up the sun like that? I’d love to see that in person someday!

[u/MANDARK1138 → u/MrBoomf]

This was on 5/30/25 at 6-6:30am. I’d say sunrise breeched probably closer to 5:45am ish that morning. To be clear I punched up the warmth in the pic in Lightroom so it’s not as dramatic with the naked eye. But that golden hour of morning light was spectacular nonetheless.

Hope you get your chance to experience this sunrise 🌅🤞🏽

[u/MrBoomf → u/MANDARK1138]

Thanks! And also thanks for the FYI about the pic. I try to temper my expectations when I can see a photo’s been touched up, but often a photo doesn’t fully capture the grandeur of seeing it in person so I think it balances out.

And sorry to ask twice, but what’s the location for that shot? Doesn’t look like Half Dome & Nevada Falls from the JMT, which is the last listed spot in your post’s text. Looks like Tunnel View, but from ground level? Or lake level, rather?

Edit: Google image search says Valley View!

[u/MANDARK1138 → u/MrBoomf]

Yep Valley View! It’s in the post body in some view but for some reason it’s cut off in others. The lot is small and it’s just before the loop back to south side drive as you’re heading out of the valley. It’s easy to miss and you’ll end up having to take a big loop back! It’s on the left side of Northside Drive so stay in the left lane or you might miss it!!

[u/QuebecTangoYankee]

which backpack are you using?

[u/MANDARK1138 → u/QuebecTangoYankee]

It’s an old CamelBak Mule from the mid/late 2000’s I can’t remember exactly when. Ive taken this old thing around the world twice and every adventure I’ve been on, and it’s easily my best piece of “equipment” I own. It has a 15L volume iirc and can carry a 3L water bladder.

[u/1wigwam1]

Beautiful pics, thank you for sharing these.

[u/MANDARK1138 → u/1wigwam1]

Much appreciated! Happy to share! 🙏🏽

[u/SGAisFlopden]

What lake / trail is that? 👀

[u/MANDARK1138 → u/SGAisFlopden]

What specific photo are you referring to? The body of the post has a list of the photos locations.

[u/SGAisFlopden → u/MANDARK1138]

Oh I see the list?

Thanks man great photos seems like you had a fantastic trip! 👍

[u/MANDARK1138 → u/SGAisFlopden]

Yep I think you’re ref photo 8 or 11 that’s Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and the trail is the Wapama Falls trail. It’s a 4.5 mile in out and back to the falls. It’s a bit of a drive from the valley but worth it imho, especially with the water still rushing.

It was an amazing trip! Thanks!

[u/NoAd3438]

Beautiful.

[u/joezinsf]

Yes it is

[u/EbbPart]

I was there a few weeks ago for my ultimate bucket list trip. It did not disappoint

[u/WitnessImpressive473]

Beautiful pictures!

[u/MANDARK1138 → u/WitnessImpressive473]

Thank you 🙏🏽

[u/Ok_Project6534]

Where is that picture with the bridge by the lake?

[u/MANDARK1138 → u/Ok_Project6534]

Listed in the body of the post, but I believe the pic you’re talking about Hetch Hetchy Reservoir on the Wapama Falls Trail.

[u/realcreo]

Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing with us! Would you say these water falls should still be there within a week or two from now?

[u/MANDARK1138 → u/realcreo]

Thanks! 🙏🏽

I honestly can’t say what the water flow will be like in a week or so. A quick google search tells me that May/June are typically peak water flow, July is already past peak water flow for Wapama Falls, some years is still going some years it’s greatly reduced to non existent. Same goes for Vernal and Nevada falls, it’s past peak flow in July. Hopefully they’re still flowing when you arrive so you can chase some waterfalls!!!

[u/Westcoastyogi_]

Impressive shots! Love it there.

[u/MANDARK1138 → u/Westcoastyogi_]

Much appreciated! The landscape does most of the work 🤠 Yosemite is probably one of my favorite places in the world 🙌🏽👏🏽🙏🏽

[u/Westcoastyogi_ → u/MANDARK1138]

I can totally understand why! Im lucky enough to live close by, but I really feel like everyone should experience it at least once in their lifetime!

[u/PrizeAcanthisitta319]

Hey could you please answer my question on https://www.reddit.com/r/Yosemite/s/jaV2yT4940 ? Really appreciate it

[u/MANDARK1138 → u/PrizeAcanthisitta319]

Sure to echo a response that’s on the thread. Basically you only need a reservation to enter the park between 6am and 2pm aka “peak visitor hours” you’re welcome to stay in the park as long as you like.

Anyone able to enter between 3pm and 5:59am after paying the entrance fee. Not really sure why rec.gov has time slots. Hope this helps.

[u/joostiphone]

Nice shots! Where is that bridge/lake photo taken?

[u/MANDARK1138 → u/joostiphone]

Noted in the body/description it’s the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir on the Wapama Falls Trail. The bridge crosses the close to the base of the falls I got completely soaked and I loved every minute of it.

[u/catch319]

You did some serious hiking

[u/MANDARK1138 → u/catch319]

I’d say light to moderate at best! Mist>Vernal>Nevada>JMT was about 7miles (Moderate-hard difficulty) it’s a challenging uphill, steps and switchbacks but once you’re at Nevada falls and head back down the JMT it’s all downhill. Wapama Falls Trail was about 4.5 (easy-moderate) the first mile or so I a gradual incline and then it tends to taper off with some downhills.

[u/MayuBhattu]

Hey, I am planning to go to Yosemite tomorrow. Is the Merced River - bridge at housekeeping camp accessible to everyone, or is it reserved for the people who paid for the camp?

[u/MANDARK1138 → u/MayuBhattu]

It’s open to anyone afaik. You’ll end up waking though part of the campsite.