The falls are at their fullest in May and June while the winter snows are melting. They are still running in July, but after that decrease rapidly in volume, Yosemite Fall often drying up entirely by August 15 when there has been little rain or snow. But let it not be supposed that the beauty of the falls depends upon the amount of water that pours over their brinks. It is true that the May rush of water over the Yosemite Fall is even a little appalling, when the ground sometimes trembles with it half a mile away, but it is equally true that the spectacle of the Yosemite Fall in late July, when, in specially dry seasons, much of the water reaches the bottom of the upper fall in the form of mist, possesses a filmy grandeur that is not comparable probably with any other sight in the world; the one inspires by sheer bulk and power, the other uplifts by its intangible spirit of beauty. To see the waterfalls at their best one should visit Yosemite before July 15.

HEIGHT OF WATERFALLS

Name Height of fall Altitude of crest
Above sea level Above pier near Sentinel Hotel
Feet Feet Feet
Yosemite Fall 1,430 6,525 2,565
Lower Yosemite Fall 320 4,420 460
Nevada Fall 594 5,907 1,947
Vernal Fall 317 5,044 1,084
Illilouette Fall 370 5,816 1,856
Bridalveil Fall 620 4,787 827
Ribbon Fall 1,612 7,008 3,048
Widows Tears Fall 1,170 6,466 2,506

GLACIER POINT AND THE RIM OF YOSEMITE VALLEY

Glacier Point, above the Valley rim, commands a magnificent view of the High Sierra. Spread before one in panorama are the domes, the pinnacles, the waterfalls, and dominating all, Half Dome, a mythical Indian turned to stone. A few steps from the hotel one looks down into Yosemite Valley, 3,254 feet below, where automobiles are but moving specks, tents white dots, and the Merced River a silver tracery on green velvet. From the little stone lookout, perched on the very rim of the gorge, by means of high-powered binoculars installed for that purpose one may study the detail of the High Sierra and its flanking ranges, miles distant, through a sweep of 180°, as though they were at his very feet. A ranger-naturalist is here in summer to assist visitors and to discuss the geology, trees, birds, and wildlife of Yosemite.

Yosemite Fall in spring.

No visitor should leave Yosemite without seeing Glacier Point. It is the climax of all Yosemite views. It is reached by an excellent paved road which leaves the Valley just west of Bridalveil Fall, and then through the 4,233-foot tunnel to Chinquapin, from which point a good oiled mountain road leads through forests of fir and lodgepole pine to Glacier Point. The total distance is 28 miles, or about 1½ hours drive each way. The fire fall is a nightly feature and takes on an entirely different aspect from the top of the cliff. A short drive of a half mile from the main road above Glacier Point brings one to Sentinel Dome, 8,117 feet in elevation, where an unobstructed panorama of the southern half of the park may be had, from the coast range on the west to the snow-capped ridge of the Sierra on the east. A hotel, cafeteria, and Government camp ground are available at Glacier Point.

ALTITUDE OF SUMMITS INCLOSING YOSEMITE VALLEY

Name Altitude above sea level Altitude above pier near Sentinel Hotel
Feet Feet
Basket Dome 7,602 3,642
Cathedral Rocks 6,551 2,592
Cathedral Spires 6,114 2,154
Clouds Rest 9,930 5,964
Columbia Rock 5,031 1,071
Eagle Peak 7,773 3,813
El Capitan 7,564 3,604
Glacier Point 7,214 3,254
Half Dome 8,852 4,892
Leaning Tower 5,863 1,903
Liberty Cap 7,072 3,112
North Dome 7,531 3,571
Old Inspiration Point 6,603 2,643
Panorama Point 6,224 2,264
Profile Cliff 7,503 3,543
Pulpit Rock 4,195 765
Sentinel Dome 8,117 4,157
Stanford Point 6,659 2,699
Taft Point 7,503 3,543
Washington Column 5,912 1,952
Yosemite Point 6,935 2,975