Half Dome and storm clouds at sunset, viewed from Sentinel Bridge, Yosemite National Park, California

Half Dome And Storm Clouds At Sunset, Yosemite Valley.

 Vernal Falls at peak flow in late spring, with a rainbow appearing in the spray of the falls, viewed from the Mist Trail, Yosemite National Park, California

Vernal Falls at peak flow in late spring, with a rainbow appearing in the spray of the falls. Yosemite National Park.

 Horsetail Falls backlit by the setting sun as it cascades down the face of El Capitan, February, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California

Horsetail Falls In Winter, Sunset's Last Light, Yosemite National Park.
Yosemite Falls at peak flow in late spring, viewed from Cooks Meadow, Yosemite National Park, California

Upper Yosemite Falls From Cook's Meadow, Yosemite Valley.

 Lembert Dome and late afternoon clouds rise above Tuolumne Meadows in the High Sierra, catching the fading light of sunset, Yosemite National Park, California

Lembert Dome From Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park

 Townsley Lake (10396'), a beautiful alpine lake sitting below blue sky, clouds and Fletcher Peak (right), lies amid the Cathedral Range of glacier-sculpted granite peaks in Yosemite's high country, near Vogelsang High Sierra Camp, Yosemite National Park, California

Townsley Lake In The High Sierra, Yosemite National Park.
Cathedral Range peaks reflected in the still waters of Townsley Lake at sunrise, Yosemite National Park, California

Cathedral Range peaks reflected in the still waters of Townsley Lake at sunrise, high country near Vogelsang High Sierra Camp, Yosemite National Park.

 Yosemite Falls and tall pine trees, viewed from Cook's Meadow, Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite Falls And Tall Pine Trees, Yosemite Valley

 Yosemite Falls and star trails, night sky time exposure of Yosemite Falls waterfall in full spring flow, with star trails arcing through the night sky, Yosemite National Park, California

Star trails appear over Yosemite Falls in this 40 minute time exposure, Yosemite Valley, California.
Yosemite Falls reflected in flooded meadow. The Merced River floods its banks in spring, forming beautiful reflections of Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite Falls reflected in flooded meadow. The Merced River floods its banks in spring, forming beautiful reflections of Yosemite Falls. Yosemite National Park.
Vogelsang Peak (11516') at sunset, reflected in a small creek near Vogelsang High Sierra Camp in Yosemite's high country, Yosemite National Park, California

Vogelsang Peak At Sunset From Vogelsang High Sierra Camp, Yosemite National Park

 Bridalveil Falls at sunset, with clouds and blue sky in the background. Bridalveil Falls in Yosemite drops 620 feet (188 m) from a hanging valley to the floor of Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California

Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite Valley

 Upper Yosemite Falls near peak flow in spring. Yosemite Falls, at 2425 feet tall (730m) is the tallest waterfall in North America and fifth tallest in the world. Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California

Upper Yosemite Falls, Spring, Yosemite Valley
Nevada Falls marks where the Merced River plummets almost 600 through a joint in the Little Yosemite Valley, shooting out from a sheer granite cliff and then down to a boulder pile far below, Yosemite National Park, California

Nevada Falls In Spring, Yosemite National Park

 Bridalveil Falls with a rainbow forming in its spray, dropping 620 into Yosemite Valley, displaying peak water flow in spring months from deep snowpack and warm weather melt. Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California

Rainbow In Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite Valley

 Yosemite Falls by moonlight, reflected in a springtime pool in Cooks Meadow. A lunar rainbow (moonbow) can be seen above the lower section of Yosemite Falls. Star trails appear in the night sky. Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite Falls at night with faint lunar rainbow, Yosemite National Park.
El Capitan and Merced River, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California

El Capitan And Merced River, Yosemite Valley

 Yosemite Falls, mist and and storm clouds, Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite Falls And Trees, Infrared, Yosemite Valley

 El Capitan eastern face, sunrise, Yosemite National Park, California

El Capitan Eastern Face, Infrared, Yosemite Valley
Panorama of Vogelsang basin, surrounding Vogelsang Lake in Yosemite's High Sierra, viewed from near Vogelsang Pass (10685'). Left is Vogelsang Peak (11516'), Choo-choo Ridge is in the distant middle, and the western flank of Fletcher Peak is to the right, Yosemite National Park, California

Panorama of Vogelsang basin, surrounding Vogelsang Lake in Yosemite's High Sierra, viewed from near Vogelsang Pass (10685').
Cathedral Rocks at sunrise, reflected in a spring meadow flooded by the Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California

Cathedral Rocks is reflected at sunrise in a sidewater of the Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California.

 Vernal Falls and Merced River in spring, heavy flow due to snow melt in the high country above Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California

Vernal Falls and Merced River in complete spring flood, heavy flow due to snow melt in the high country above Yosemite Valley.

 Yosemite Falls reflected in flooded meadow. The Merced River floods its banks in spring, forming beautiful reflections of Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park, California

Upper Yosemite Falls is reflected in a flooded meadow created by heavy spring water levels in the Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California.
A giant sequoia tree, soars skyward from the forest floor, lit by the morning sun and surrounded by other sequioas. The massive trunk characteristic of sequoia trees is apparent, as is the crown of foliage starting high above the base of the tree, Sequoiadendron giganteum, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, California

A giant sequoia tree soars skyward from the forest floor. Sequoiadendron giganteum. Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park.

 Fern Springs, a small natural spring in Yosemite Valley near the Pohono Bridge, trickles quietly over rocks as it flows into the Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California

Fern Springs, Yosemite Valley

 Mountain dogwood, or Pacific dogwood, Yosemite Valley, Cornus nuttallii, Yosemite National Park, California

Mountain dogwood, or Pacific dogwood, Yosemite Valley. Cornus nuttallii.
Bridalveil Falls plummets 620 feet (200m). Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California

Bridalveil Falls From Tunnel View, Yosemite Valley

 El Capitan rises above the Merced River, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California

El Capitan And Merced River, Yosemite Valley

 Nevada Falls, with Liberty Cap (center) and Half Dome (left). Nevada Falls marks where the Merced River plummets almost 600 through a joint in the Little Yosemite Valley, shooting out from a sheer granite cliff and then down to a boulder pile far below, Yosemite National Park, California

Nevada Falls, Half Dome And Liberty Cap, Yosemite National Park
Visitors admire Yosemite Falls from the Swinging Bridge, Leidig Meadow, Yosemite National Park, California

Visitors Admire Yosemite Falls From The Swinging Bridge

 Mammoth Peak (12,117') reflected in small tarn pond at sunrise, viewed from meadows near Tioga Pass, Yosemite National Park, California

Mammoth Peak (12,117') reflected in small tarn pond at sunrise, viewed from meadows near Tioga Pass.

 Mammoth Peak (12,117') reflected in small tarn pond at sunrise, viewed from meadows near Tioga Pass, Yosemite National Park, California

Mammoth Peak and meadow tarn reflection, sunrise, Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park.
Cables guiding hikers to summit of Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California

Cables guiding hikers to summit of Half Dome.

 El Capitan, Yosemite National Park, California

El Capitan And Spring Clouds, Yosemite National Park

 The Tuolumne River flows serenely through Tuolumne Meadows in the High Sierra. Lembert Dome is seen in the background, Yosemite National Park, California

Lembert Dome From Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
Unicorn Peak at sunset, seen from Tuolumne Meadows. Cockscomb Peak rises in the distance, Yosemite National Park, California

Unicorn Peak at sunset, seen from Tuolumne Meadows. Cockscomb Peak rises in the distance.

 Glacial erratics atop Olmsted Point. Erratics are huge boulders left behind by the passing of glaciers which carved the granite surroundings into their present-day form, Yosemite National Park, California

Glacial Erratic Boulders, Olmsted Point, Yosemite National Park

 Fletcher Peak is reflected in Vogelsang Lake at sunset, viewed from near summit of Vogelsang Peak, Yosemite National Park, California

Fletcher Peak is reflected in Vogelsang Lake at sunset viewed from near summit of Vogelsang Peak.
Panoramic view of the Cathedral Range from the summit of Vogelsang Peak (11500'). The shadow of Vogelsang Peak can be seen in the middle of the picture, Yosemite National Park, California

Panoramic view of the Cathedral Range from the summit of Vogelsang Peak (11500'). The shadow of Vogelsang Peak can be seen in the middle of the picture, Yosemite National Park, California.
Fletcher Peak (11410') reflected in Townsley Lake, at sunrise, panoramic view, Yosemite National Park, California

Fletcher Peak (11410') reflected in Townsley Lake, at sunrise, panoramic view, Yosemite National Park.
Giant sequoia trees, roots spreading outward at the base of each massive tree, rise from the shaded forest floor, Sequoiadendron giganteum, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, California

Giant sequoia trees (Sequoiadendron giganteum), roots spreading outward at the base of each massive tree, rise from the shaded forest floor. Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park.

 Mammoth Peak (12,117') rises above grassy meadows and granite boulders near Tioga Pass, Yosemite National Park, California

Mammoth Peak (12,117') rises above grassy meadows and granite boulders near Tioga Pass, Yosemite National Park, California.

 Nameless Lake (10709'), surrounded by glacier-sculpted granite peaks of the Cathedral Range, near Vogelsang High Sierra Camp, Yosemite National Park, California

Nameless Lake (10709') surrounded by glacier-sculpted granite peaks of the Cathedral Range, Yosemite National Park, California.
Glacial erratic boulders atop Olmsted Point. Erratics are huge boulders left behind by the passing of glaciers which carved the granite surroundings into their present-day form. When the glaciers melt, any boulders and other geologic material that it was carrying are left in place, sometimes many miles from their original location, Yosemite National Park, California

Glacial Erratic Boulders, Olmsted Point, Yosemite National Park

 Tuolumne River, flowing through Lyell Canyon and Tuolumne Meadows, sunset, Yosemite National Park, California

Last light on the Tuolumne River, flowing through Lyell Canyon and Tuolumne Meadows, sunset. Yosemite National Park.

 Burned tree trunks, charred bark, burnt trees resulting from a controlled burn fire, Yosemite National Park, California

Burned Tree Trunks, Controlled Burn, Yosemite Valley
Tenaya Peak and Tenaya Lake in Yosemite National Park's high country, with Pywiack Dome, Medlicott Dome and Mount Conness in the distance

Tenaya Peak and Tenaya Lake lie below spring clouds in Yosemite National Park's high country. Yosemite National Park.

 Mammoth Peak (12,117') reflected in small tarn pond at sunrise, viewed from meadows near Tioga Pass, Yosemite National Park, California

Mammoth Peak at sunrise, grass and small reflecting pool, Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park.

 Mount Dana and Mount Gibbs reflected in the Dana Fork of the Tuolumne River, Yosemite National Park, California

Mount Dana and Mount Gibbs reflected in the Dana Fork of the Tuolumne River, Yosemite National Park, California.
Merced River reflections and textures, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California

Merced River reflections and textures, Yosemite Valley.

 Hikers atop Summit of Half Dome, view of Tenaya Canyon, Yosemite National Park, California

Hikers Atop Summit Of Half Dome, View Of Tenaya Canyon

 Sunrise reflections in Tioga Lake. This spectacular location is just a short walk from the Tioga Pass road. Near Tuolumne Meadows and Yosemite National Park

Tioga Lake, Eastern Sierra Near Yosemite National Park
Trees, overcast sky and El Capitan, Yosemite National Park, California

Trees, Branches Reaching For El Capitan, Yosemite Valley

 Mammoth Peak (12,117') reflected in small tarn pond at sunrise, viewed from meadows near Tioga Pass, Yosemite National Park, California

Mammoth Peak, stones, pond and meadow, Tuolumne Meadows.

 A Sierra Nevada Peak reflected in small tarn (pond), near Tioga Pass, Yosemite National Park, California

A Sierra Nevada Peak reflected in small tarn (pond), near Tioga Pass. Yosemite National Park.
Hanging Basket Lake (10601'), with Fletcher Peak (11410') rising above on the right, panoramic view, Yosemite National Park, California

Hanging Basket Lake (10601'), with Fletcher Peak (11410') rising above on the right, panoramic view.
Mammoth Peak (12,117') rises above grassy meadows and granite boulders near Tioga Pass, Yosemite National Park, California

Mammoth Peak, meadow grasses in fall, granite boulders, Tuolumne Meadows near Tioga Pass, Yosemite National Park.

 Vogelsang Peak (11500') and the shoulder of Fletcher Peak, reflected in the still morning waters of Fletcher Lake, in Yosemite's gorgeous high country, late summer, Yosemite National Park, California

Vogelsang Peak (11500') and the shoulder of Fletcher Peak, reflected in the still morning waters of Fletcher Lake, in Yosemite's gorgeous high country, late summer.

 Dana Fork of the Tuolumne River, near Tioga Pass, Yosemite National Park, California

Dana Fork Of The Tuolumne River
Dana Fork of the Tuolumne River, near Tioga Pass, Yosemite National Park, California

Dana Fork Of The Tuolumne River

 Trees cling to the granite surroundings of Olmsted Point, Yosemite National Park, California

Jeffrey Pine, Olmsted Point, Yosemite National Park

 Clouds Rest viewed from Olmsted Point. Clouds Rest is one of the most massive -- if not the singlemost massive -- granite monoliths in the world. A vast lobe of Mesozoic-era granodiorite magma cooled to rock and was gradually uplifted to its present altitude of 9926 ft. Later, glaciers cut it into its present shape, Yosemite National Park, California

Clouds Rest Viewed From Olmsted Point, Yosemite National Park.
Glacial erratics atop Olmsted Point. Erratics are huge boulders left behind by the passing of glaciers which carved the granite surroundings into their present-day form, Yosemite National Park, California

Glacial Erratic Boulders, Olmsted Point, Yosemite National Park

 Sunset reflections in the Tuolumne River, Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park, California

Tuolumne River reflections, Yosemite National Park.

 Mountain dogwood, or Pacific dogwood, Yosemite Valley, Cornus nuttallii, Yosemite National Park, California

Mountain Dogwood, Half Dome, Springtime Morning, Yosemite Valley
Mountain dogwood, or Pacific dogwood, Yosemite Valley, Cornus nuttallii, Yosemite National Park, California

Blooming mountain dogwood, or Pacific dogwood, Yosemite Valley.

 Bridalveil Falls and misty Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California

Bridalveil Falls and Yosemite Valley on a misty spring morning. Yosemite National Park, California.

 Giant Sequoia tree, Sequoiadendron giganteum, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, California

Giant Sequoia Tree, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park
Pines and ferns, Yosemite National Park, California

Ferns and Lodgepole Pines in Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California.

 Mammoth Peak and alpine meadows in the High Sierra, viewed from the Tioga Pass road just west of the entrance to Yosemite National Park. Late summer

Mammoth Peak And Tioga Pass Meadows, Yosemite National Park