One valley. 21 waterfalls. Six of them among North America’s most breathtaking and extravagant cascades. If the majesty of Yosemite Valley’s sheer granite walls draws people back to Mariposa County again and again, it’s the waterfalls—foamy white seas of water plunging hundreds of feet—that leave them awe-struck. Best time to see them? Late winter into early summer when the melting snows of the Sierra Nevada cause the falls to plummet down the cliffs with a fierce and mighty roar.
Horsetail Falls
Sheer magic. Falling 2,030 feet down the eastern side of El Capitan, Horsetail Falls is a seasonal waterfall that flows as two side-by-side streams during the winter and spring months. The reason it’s famous? For a few days every February, if conditions are perfect, the sun sets in just the right position to light up the falls, making them appear as if they are on fire. Best place to photograph this phenomenon? From the clearing near the picnic area on the road leading out of Yosemite Valley. Crowds? Practically non-existent. The view of Horsetail Firefall? One of most spectacular sights on Earth—a definite “once-in-a-lifetime-must-see.”
Bridalveil Fall
This is The One—the one that Ansel Adams made famous in his shot of Yosemite Valley from Inspiration Point. The fall that serves as a backdrop to almost every picture ever taken from Tunnel View. The waterfall that millions have come to associate with the startling beauty of Yosemite. Flowing year round, Bridalveil Fall plunges straight down from the edge of a precipice 617 feet above the Valley floor. The Ahwahneechee Indian tribe believed that looking directly into the waterfall when leaving the Valley would bring bad luck; but would-be brides, take hope. The Ahwahneechee also believed that inhaling its mist would improve one’s chance of marriage. To get close enough to breathe in the mist and Bridalveil’s beauty, park in the Bridalveil Fall parking lot just off the road on the southern side of the Valley and follow the signs to the falls. (Restrooms are located on the western side of the parking lot).
Yosemite Falls
Dramatic Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in North America and the sixth highest waterfall in the world. In spring, Yosemite Falls is so powerful that it roars over the cliff face and thunders to the Valley floor below in three drops so huge they leave viewers covered in spray. The easiest way to take in its grandeur is to walk the half-mile Yosemite Falls trail, which starts near the Yosemite Lodge parking lot. For the best picture-taking views, start toward the falls from the western- most entrance (about 300 yards beyond the shuttle bus stop). It’s the only entrance that will afford you a top-to-bottom view in one picture-taking shot. For a little longer walk, continue around the Yosemite Falls loop to Yosemite Village.
Feel daring and up for an incredible workout? Catch the nearby trailhead to Upper Yosemite Falls. The steep 7.6-mile round-trip hike affords you the only up-close-and-personal view of the Cascades—the middle section of Yosemite Falls. At the top, all of Yosemite is yours, with a panoramic view of Yosemite Valley spread out before you and a chance to view, and photograph, both Yosemite Falls and Half Dome together. (For an equally amazing view without all the sweat, take the Sentinel Dome trail off Glacier Point Road. Same 360-degree view in an easy 1.5-mile round-trip hike).
Nevada and Vernal Falls
Nevada Fall runs year round into Vernal Fall at the Emerald Pool “step”, then they both cascade into the rock-filled Merced River. Come in spring when the water is shooting over the granite walls and you’ll understand why the hike that takes you by Vernal and Nevada Falls is called the Mist Trail. It’s among the most popular trails in Yosemite, and for good reason. Whether you do the 3-mile round-trip to the top of Vernal or opt for the more rigorous 7-mile round-trip to the top of Nevada Falls, amazing views will greet you all along the way. Put in another half-mile at the top of Nevada on the John Muir Trail and bingo, you are staring at another dazzler—the combined beauty of Nevada Fall, Liberty Cap and Half Dome as seen from the back. But come prepared. It’s 4,000 feet of up-hill climbing to reach this view and in spring the rocks can be wet and slippery. The rewards are great but careful and steady are the watchwords for these falls.
So okay, you want to enjoy the view without the 4,000-foot height gain. Here’s how. Walk one mile from the Mist Trailhead to the Mist Trail footbridge and look up. Thundering above you are the falls. Time and effort put in are minimal compared to the pay-off but even the bridge can be slippery in springtime so, again, watch your step. To best way to get to the Mist Trail is to take the shuttle to Happy Isles. (There’s a parking lot but you’ll be sharing it with people hoofing up Half Dome. In other words, it gets crowded).
