Bridalviel Falls and other Yosemite National Park, CA Things to Do Tips

Bridalviel Fall is a short walk from a spacious parking lot. It is the waterfall that can be seen from Tunnel View directly across the valley from El Capitan. Follow the paved trail in the southeast corner of the parking lot a few hundred yards til another trail branches off to the right. The trail is unmarked so watch for it. After a steep climb through trees and rocks the waterfall will come into view on the right as the trail ends a way-too-small viewing area. During spring runoff, expect to get soaked with mist here!

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Directions: Located on Highway 41 as the road levels out at the valley floor just before it becomes a one way road. From Yosemite Village, follow the signs toward Highway 41 and Fresno to Bridalviel Falls.

El Capitan is the largest single granite monolith in the world towers over 3000 feet above the valley floor. It is very popular with rock climbers and numberous people gather in the meadow beneath it to watch. At night watch for small balls of light along it's sheer face where climbers are resting in slings dangling from the side of the cliff.

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Directions: El Capitan can be seen from anywhere when entering the valley. For the best pictures, stop at the pulloff just past Bridalviel Falls.

This short 10-minute walk puts hikers at a bridge at the base of Lower Yosemite Falls. Falling a relatively short 300 feet, this is where Yosemite Creek makes it's final decent to the valley floor having fallen some 2,425 feet from the cliffs above. From the trailhead you can get an excellent view of the entire length of the Yosemite Falls.

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Directions: Follow the signs from Yosemite Village toward Yosemite Lodge. The parking lot for the Lower Yosemite Falls trail is on the right side of the road.

The trail to Columbia Rock is actually the first mile of the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail. Although it's only 2 miles round trip, the entire first mile is a tough uphill climb, negotiated almost 50 switchbacks. Columbia Rock is easy to miss as it's not signed. Just before an exposed steep sandy section of the trail, look for a railing through the trees to the right. This is Columbia Rock. The views across the valley to Half Dome make the strenuous climb very worth it!

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Directions: The Trailhead is behind the Sunnyside Walk-in Campground. Park in the Yosemite Lodge parking lot across the street, NOT the campground lot.

This strenuous 6.6 mile round trip hike takes you to the brink of the upper Yosemite Falls and back. Beyond Columbia Rock, the trail climbs a bit and eventually rounds a bend where the upper falls come into view for the first time. During spring runoff this is a very impressive sight! The trail eventually cuts through a trough in the rocks and emerges at the top of the valley wall. The trail is easily lost here but ends down a narrow stairway to a viewing area at the brink of the Upper Yosemite Falls. If you have more time and energy take any number of trails along the north rim. Otherwise, return the way you came.

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Directions: See the directions to Columbia Rock trail

They don't call this the Mist Trail for nothing. During spring runoff be sure to bring either your bathing suit or raingear because you will get soaked! If you don't want to get wet and are happy with a distant view, hike the moderately steep route to the Vernal Falls bridge. If you're brave, continue on! After rounding a bend the spray hits you and stays on you through most of the 300+ steps you have to climb to the top of Vernal Falls. This trail is the most popular trail in the park so you will have plenty of company!

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Directions: Located at Happy Isles, Cars aren't allowed down the last half mile of the road. Take the shuttle bus or walk to the trailhead.

Beyond Vernal Falls the trail levels out and offers great shots of Emerald Pool and Silver Apron. DO NOT SWIM IN THE RIVER!! Many people are swept over the falls every year. The trail crosses the river and soon starts another steep climb up several rocky switchbacks. Watch your step here as loose gravel can make footing tricky. At the top of the switchbacks, the trail splits. Head left for a set of restrooms and also to hike to Little Yosemite Valley or to the top of Half Dome or Clouds Rest. Go right to reach the brink of the Nevada Falls. Return the way you came but be very careful! An easier way down is by way of the John Muir trail. You won't get wet this way either.

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Directions: See the directions to Vernal Falls.

Several hiking trails wander through this sequoia grove. Most people will hike to Grizzly Giant (pictured) and California Tree but that's it. As a result much solitude can be found if you continue. I find the upper grove to be more interesting anyway! I recommend hiking the grove all the way to the back at Wawona Point, but if you'd rather not hike uphill, then during the summer take the tram tour to the Fallen Wawona Tunnel tree and hike back to the parking lot from there. NOTE: The tram costs money. Check for prices at the ticket office.

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Directions: Just inside the south entrance station off highway 41. During the winter, snows close to road to the grove and it is only accessable by hiking or cross country skiing.

Ribbon Falls is approriately named. It's narrow and hard to spot, tucked in a little nook next to El Capitan. It's one of the last waterfalls to appear in spring and one of the first to dry up as it only drains 4 small creeks. However, when Ribbon Falls can be seen, it is indeed and impressive sight. It is the highest single waterfall in the park and the highest single waterfall in North America falling 1,612 feet from the top of the cliff before it hits land again. In contrast, Upper Yosemite Falls plummets just 1,430 feet. When combined with the middle cascades (675 feet) and the Lower Falls (320 feet), Yosemite Falls totals 2,425 feet in 3 seperate falls. Ribbon Falls, because it dries up so early, is usually only seen in the late winter and early spring, best between March and May. After May it's rather iffy.

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Directions: Unreachable on foot. Viewable from the road just west of El Capitan

This chapel is the only building remaining of the original Yosemite Village. Before flooding forced the park service to relocate the entire Yosemite Village out of the way of the river, it used to sit along the banks just west of Sentinal Bridge. The chapel has been restored and reparied from flood damage and is still used to religious services. It can make for beautiful photos.

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