Water Falls, Yosemite National Park

Favorite thing: But alas the waterworks are shut off in mid-summer and by October just a few falls continue to trickle over the sides of the cliffs. The most famous falls of all, Yosemite Falls, does not even drip at this time of year.

Look at the photo and imagine if you will twenty times the volume of water crashing over the side of the cliff (Bridalveil Falls). Or better yet, pay a visit to mrclay's Yosemite page. That will give you a better idea of the falls in full force.

But autumn is a pleasant time in Yosemite. The skies were crystal clear and the temperature hovered right about 80F. Add in some glowing yellow aspen and brilliant red shrubberies and the park put forth a spectacular show in its own right.

Favorite thing: This is about as close to Yosemite Falls as you can get and still get all of the falls in a picture. It's SO tall and so beautiful and so awesome. This photo taken from the parking lot for the falls, though we were all riding bicycles through the valley on this day.

Favorite thing: I had to use an odd angle in order to capture this much of the falls. It was seriously roaring in mid-May 2002... Imagine how much water must be flowing! You know you are SOAKED with vernal water after hiking up the "mist trail" part of the journey.

Favorite thing: Wow, THIS is a waterfall! Nothing like the trickle it was in September of 2002. Now the warning signs of people dying who tried swimming in the river make sense! The winter snow-melt is awesome over this fall.

Favorite thing: Yosemite Valley is obviously home to some of the greatest tumblers in the world. With such a concentration of winter snow in the highcountry, the number of cascades and waterfalls that come alive in the spring is almost overwhelming. Even though many go unnamed in park literature, the incognitos and no-names hold a special place in this miraculous valley.

Favorite thing: Descending these rocks is a bit tricky. Due to the water spray from the falls, they are quite slippery. Most are not secured either, making it easier to take a tumble on the way down.

Favorite thing: If you drive through Yosemite, you'll end up stopping along with the hordes and taking lovely pictures at the different pull offs. This is Cascade Creek leaving the valley floor, along Highway 120.

Fondest memory: Yosemite Valley view with Bridalveil Falls at right in distance. (Thanks VT member mrclay2000 telling me the error. 2003/5/22)

Fondest memory: Somehow, a 2500 ft. waterfall doesn't look so big from up here. And, yes, that's the railing that keeps you from a 3700 foot freefall.

Favorite thing: At the same location there is a famous photo of two women dancing on those rocks about 100 years ago!