Taking Time To Smell The Flowers
Spring is one of the best times to visit Yosemite Valley but if you get tired of all the crowds mashing around trying to get pictures of the waterfalls take some time out and go wild flower hunting. Though you may be hard pressed to find wild flowers in Yosemite Valley itself, you need look no farther than just down the river outside the park.
During the early spring, the Merced River canyon between Yosemite’s western entrance at El Portal and Briceburg is awash with the colors of wildflowers. With all the we weather we’ve had this year the wildflowers have taken over the hillsides west of the park. Bright, briliant patches of orange, yellow, purple, an white emblazon the banks of the Merced. Redbud trees are decked in brillian maroonish, red; a stark compliment to the verdant green of the California foothills.
So if you’re looking for something fun to do and want to escape the crowds, take a trip downriver to enjoy the lush beauty of Spring in the Sierra.
Access: Anywhere you can park.
Fee: The Merced River Canyon lies within the boundaries of the Sierra National Forest. Access is free.
For a little over 30 years now I've enjoyed hiking, backpacking, fishing, photographing and exploring Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. Yosemite Blog presents me with the opportunity to share, with you, the beauty and the grandeur of Yosemite and the High Sierra. Read the 
April 19th, 2005 07:44
What a beautiful picture. I am saving this one as my wallpaper on my desktop. I used to have a poster (back in the 70’s) that was like this (except it also had a butterfly in it). I love this one. Thank you for sharing!!!