Morning Photography From Mirror Lake 

By John P. DeGrazio 

Early winter mornings are the perfect time to visit Mirror Lake for a Yosemite photography hike. The light is soft, the lake is quiet, and the temperature, that’s another story. Mirror Lake sits in the southeast corner of Yosemite Valley so it is often one of the coldest spots on the valley floor. Getting out there early is a key to good morning photography so you must brave the elements and bring a good pair of gloves. I was able to make this photograph while leading a group this past weekend. The hike from the lake to Yosemite Falls is a good way to warm up after spending a little time setting up compositions on the water’s edge.