Vernal Fall at Yosemite National Park
Springtime thaw adds drama to the already majestic at Yosemite National Park. Massive angular peaks and endless green valleys easily absorb your entire focus. You are fully impressed. Until you hear the roar of a waterfall and find there is even more.
At first it’s a sound. A throbbing beneath your feet. As you begin your approach the air and ground vibrate with the steady staccato of falling water. When sound meets sight, the water flow seems endless. Gushing torrents jet skyward upon impact into a dense billowing mist.
At 317 feet Vernal Falls is rather short compared to towering Yosmite Falls (2420 feet) and Bridalveil (670 feet), but it packs the power of a heavy lifter, tossing down a river of water that explodes over boulders in its race to the Merced River below.
The trail to Vernal Falls begins as an uphill walk that feels more and more
like a climb. The steady upward grade works the leg muscles well and will provide a good cardio workout if you push your speed even moderately. The viewing bridge provides both a tantalizing glimpse of the thundering fall and perspective as one views the tumbling water spilling away toward the valley below.
From here, it becomes a wet walk and a
strenuous hike. Sheer drop-offs near the Fall make it best to leave one’s imagination paused and the mind fully focused. We waded through icy puddles of water as the drenching mist engulfed us. The climb up was slippery over uneven boulders and block steps. The soaking drizzle was frigid enough to add some speed to our ascent.
The rampant power of Vernal Fall’s surging waters endowed it with a seeming permanence, making it hard to picture the upcoming dry season. Another paradox was the utter stillness that awaited us at the top.
Next: The Emerald Pool
