You cannot visit California without visiting Yosemite National Park! Seriously, don’t.

The first half of my adventure through Yosemite was in Yosemite Valley, at the bottom of the mountains. At Mirror Lake, I was able to capture a nice reflection.

“Yosemite Reflection”

Further along, a detail shot of rocks on the shore of the Merced River, in the Yosemite Valley.

“Yosemite River and Rocks”

Eventually in the Yosemite Valley, I arrived a very long distance below the famous Tunnel View. In this black and white, you can see Half Dome and El Capitan.

Later in the day, I made my way back up the mountains and to the Tunnel View location. Not satisfied with fighting for a good spot with hundreds of other onlookers, I decided to actually climb the side of the mountain above the tunnel that goes through the mountain. I do not recommend this, as the side of mountains in Yosemite are the prime hangout for Mountain Lions. In this shot, you can see the beautiful red Alpenglow on El Capitan, Half Dome, and the other mountains.

“Above Tunnel View”