Yosemite's high country in late spring of a very dry year. The snow was almost gone from the peaks even though it was still May. This is the Dana Fork of the Tuolumne River right above where it joins with the Lyell Fork, just upstream from Tuolumne Meadows, at over 8,500 feet of elevation (about 2600 meters). The main peak visible at the back of the image is the north end of the Kuna Crest, Mammoth Peak, at 12,117 feet (3693 meters).
Looking across the Merced River towards the southeast from Valley View on a beautiful summer day in Yosemite after recent rains had recharged the waterfalls and streams.
Even in the midst of prolonged drought, if you go early enough in the year, you can see Yosemite as it should be, where the summer gold and granite glare is replaced by lush greens everywhere, with water in all the falls. Here's hoping that this year's El Niño brings the park and all of California some much-need relief.
