Water Falls

Water is important in the west, mostly because through so much of the west there is no water. Yosemite valley is a prime location for falls because of its geological history. The near vertical walls of the U-Shaped glacial canyon provide many opportunities for falls and cascades. Some are famous, some are rare, all are worth stopping to see. May and June are the best time to see them, and many are gone by July. The falls range from the very visible Bridal Veil -- which provides the water accent on all the views from Inspiration Point and its related locations -- to the rarely seen, almost hidden Sentinel -- which is just behind Bridal Veil. Yosemite Falls provides a backdrop to many of the views from the meadows, along the river, or from the Yosemite Lodge area. Vernal and Nevada are visible together most clearly from Glacier Point and its vacinity, but are best experienced from the Mist Trail (which in early season might better be called the rain trail, since you will get very wet).

Vernal Falls, 317 Feet. No wonder there is Mist. The first view is from the footbridge (1.6 miles round trip from the Happy Isles shuttle stop)	Mist Trail, you get wet in June. The trail can be steep and slick, so be careful and be prepared. The total hike is about 3 miles round-trip, 1000' elevation gain (i.e. very steep).	Nevada, 594 Feet. Of course that is 594 down from here.
Illilouette Falls, 370 Feet. This is at the head of a canyon, so the easy views are from the lower Mist Trail -- below the bridge. Up close, from the top, you can't see the whole drop. The Panorama trail from Glacier Point to the Mist Trail leads past the top of the falls.	Sentinel Falls. Total 1920 Feet. Water runs only in the spring and early summer in wet years, and then only during snow melt. Sentinel Creek is not very large at any time. Visible from the south side road and the trails in the meadow. Look up or you'll miss it.	Lehamite Falls. Total 1180 Feet. Spring and early summer in wet years. Visible above Yosemite Village from the west.
Bridalveil Falls. 620 Feet. In the early season it provides an accent to pictures from the standard views. In the early season it is a strong falls, late in the year it is much more a wispy bridal veil. The base of the falls is about a 0.5 mile round-trip walk. The best views are from the tunnel view point, or one of the meadows on either the north or south loop road.	Ribbon Falls. 1612 Feet. Another early season falls, on the west side of El Capitan. From the road or trails there are a few good places to see it.	Silver Strand. 1170 Feet. Another early season falls. The typical place to see this one is from the Tunnel View parking lot. The base is behind the trees.

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