Snow-dusted granite cliffs and a waterfall above a forest in Yosemite National Park.

I think the best time to visit Yosemite is February. There is still some snow around the valley. The trees and the snow shine mystically because of the sun rays through the patchy clouds. Certainly a sight to behold. Yosemite National Park

Aniket Deole

A river flowing through Yosemite Valley with granite cliffs and pine trees at low light.

I was freezing cold staying in the tent cabins in Half Dome (formerly Curry) Village in Yosemite Valley with my dad who was there for work, so I got up and drove around the valley at 6 am. There’s been lots of fires in the area and the valley was filled with this thick smoke. Stopped at a turnout near Tunnel View and shot this photo - I really love the symmetry of it and the smooth gradients the smoke produces.

Bailey Zindel

Two deer in a grassy meadow before Half Dome in Yosemite Valley.

Two deer in front of Half Dome in Yosemite Valley during sunset.

I spent the evening in Yosemite Valley watching the sun go down on Half Dome when a couple of deer walked toward me. I took the opportunity to take this picture of them before moving out of their way so they could walk away undisturbed. It was a very beautiful experience and one of the best sunsets I've ever witnessed.

Johannes Andersson

Oleg Chursin

I arrived in Yosemite at 5:20 a.m. in order to catch the sunrise at Tunnel View, but the clouds ruined the view. So I wandered the valley for some other sight to behold and found this beautiful reflection in the flooded waters of Yosemite valley.