Glacier Point Rd view of Half Dome

This spot is not at Glacier Point proper, but rather it is about 1,500 feet prior to the Glacier Point parking lot on Glacier Point Road. Glacier Point Road is off of Wawona Road (continuation of Highway 41 in Yosemite National Park) and is about 7 miles south of Yosemite Valley and 17 miles north of the south entrance to the park. Make your way to Glacier Point Road; if you are coming from the south park entrance, you will turn right, and if you are coming from the valley, you will be making a left. Continue on Glacier Point Road for approximately 15.34 miles. You will know you are getting close to Glacier Point Road when the turns become very tight. Just before the spot, the road will make a slight right turn and you will be facing Half Dome through the trees, immediately after that view the road makes a sharp left U-turn. The spot is off the right hand side of that U-turn and is recognizable as a flattened, sandy granite slab with smaller boulders separating it from the road. You will have to park on the opposite side of the road after the U-turn. Be aware of oncoming traffic when parking. If you make it to the Glacier Point parking lot you have gone too far.

The road to Glacier Point is closed to vehicle traffic during the winter months (roughly October or November through May), so unless you want to make a long trek on a snowy road, or brave the potentially icy or otherwise hazardous conditions on the 4 Mile Trail from Yosemite Valley, the summer months are the best time for this spot! Plus, the conditions are much more enjoyable!

This place is great from golden hour through sunset. You can watch the light change and sweep up Half Dome as the sun sets behind you. If there are clouds in the forecast you may get a wonderful light show. I stayed in this place for over an hour when I got the featured shot and captured many other images in different lights that I really enjoy. Come early and enjoy the show!

A variable focal length lens is a good idea for this location. I used a 24-70mm lens and took many shots at all focal lengths. The foreground is an interesting mix of pine forest and open brush and makes a beautiful addition to the scene.

I composed this shot with the idea of creating a dichotomy between the light and shadows, with Half Dome breaking through the boundary and reaching out to the light. The view of the profile of Half Dome from this angle creates a simple, yet striking image that is better than the view from Glacier Point proper, in my opinion.

If there are some clouds, experiment with longer exposures to create a different, smoother look.

As mentioned above, this spot is essentially a flat, sandy granite slab which drops away into brush with a maintained trail below. There are multiple large granite boulders around the slab that can be utilized as well. Make sure to be aware of your surroundings and watch for footing.

If you are at this spot, you've already paid your entrance fee and are supposedly staying in Yosemite Valley. Make sure to book camping well ahead of time or risk having to get in line very early (between 5 and 6am) at Camp Four in hopes of getting a spot. It is first come, first served!

Explore the park and hit up all the other great photo spots! Make sure to get in some fun hikes too!