I managed to book a last minute trip up to Yosemite. My wife and I will be going in the middle of this month. You know, I've lived in California for over 7 years now and still have never gone, I haven't really experienced much of the coast outside of the Southland for that matter either.
I think I'll keep my photo setup streamlined, as I'm loathe to do lately. My s90 with a filter attachment with a polarizer, and a stylus epic loaded with TMAX 100. or
BUT are there any other fine grain film you guys might thing may be more dramatic for a place like Yosemite?
I checked on Amazon and, oddly, an s95 is more expensive than the new s100 at the moment. I'm experiencing a few odd pixels in my s90 pics lately, and I'm mulling the upgrade. But I wonder if that'll impair the filter adapter (the one that screws into the bottom), and the batteries and underwater housing I may have.
Anyone have a fave trail? We will be going to hike and enjoy nature for the most part.
Good for you! I agree with your inclination to keep the photo gear simple, particularly if you're going to hike. For fine grain films for Yosemite, I'd recommend Ektar, although I personally prefer Portra 160 for color, and TMax 100. If you can find some Plus-X, you might give that a try, too.
My wife and I and several other couples will be in Yosemite later this month for a long weekend (staying at the Wawona inn just inside the Park). I'll be bringing a Barnack-type bottom loader (either Leica or Canon), a Summitar, a 28 CV, and my E-PL1 and a lens or two. I think the 50/28 combination works well in Yosemite. I usually bring yellow and orange filters.
As for hikes, in June I suspect many of the hikes involving waterfalls (particularly the Mist Trail up to Vernal and Nevada Falls) will be crowded; best advice here is to get up early in the morning to do these. Here are some other hiking suggestions:
-- If you're energetic and looking for an all-day hike, take the bus to Glacier Point, and then hike back to the Wawona Tunnel via the Pohono Trail. It's a little over 13 miles, mostly downhill, and takes you along the south rim of the Valley with spectacular views, esp. from Taft Point. We did this hike in 2006, and were tired at the end but exhilarated. Bring plenty of water. This hike is described in a Hiker's Guide to the High Sierra: Yosemite, The Valley and Surrounding Uplands, by Jeffrey P. Schaffer (Wilderness Press). I highly recommend this guidebook, and have used it many times.
-- Less tiring but still great view: the old stage road from near Bridalveil Falls, to Artist Point, where painters used to set up in the 19th Century. Not so crowded. You're above the Wawona Tunnel view site, but have a similar perspective on the valley. At Artist Point, there are some rock slabs were you can eat lunch and admire the view. This route is described in Tales and Trails of Yosemite & the Central Sierra, by Sharon Giacomazzi, which is still in print (interesting guidebook).
-- If you have time, I also strongly recommend driving up to Tuolumne Meadows and doing a day hike from there. The trail to Elizabeth Lake is about 2.2 miles from the Tuolumne Meadows Campground, and makes a nice excursion up into some of the alpine areas (Unicorn Peak, Cathedral Peak).
-- Another day hike from the high country is from Tuolumne Pass to Gaylor Lakes. I haven't done this one, but it's often recommended.
-- Or wander around Tuolumne Meadows themselves (they're very large). There's a store and a hamburger shack on the Tioga Pass Road at Tuolumne Meadows. Go mid-week if you can to avoid parking congestion.
-- My final hiking suggestion, if you want to see giant Sequoia Redwoods, is to park at the Wawona Store, take the shuttle bus to the Mariposa Grove (leaves from just outside the store), walk up through the Grove, and then walk back to Wawona. My wife and I did this walk several years ago. It's about 7 miles, mostly gradual downhill (after the ascent up through Grove to see the big trees). Again, a very pleasant walk through more forested landscapes. You come out behind the Wawona Inn, and it's a short stroll back to the store.
Have fun, and post pix when you get back!
