Yosemite Blog

Nevada Falls

Originally uploaded by Harold Davis.

Here’s another great shot of Nevada Falls. This one was taken by Harold Davis from over at Photoblog2.

Harold:I took this photo from the Muir Trail around the bend from Nevada Falls when I was there last month at a time of very high water. Water was pouring over everything. I like the way the falling water looks against the striations in the rock.

Beautiful shot. Thanks for letting me post your photo, Harold.

Nevada Fall

Originally uploaded by pmeidinger.

P. Meidinger took this great shot of the HUGE amount of water passing over Nevada Fall right now.

Nevada is one of two waterfalls (the other being Vernal Fall) on the infamous Mist Trail, famous for soaking Yosemite travelers even when the river isn’t flowing this heavy.

Did you know there used to be a hotel at the Falls?

A while back when Yosemite Blog was still flapping its wings trying to get out of the nest I got an email from someone that really made me happy to be doing what I’m doing. Well, after much debating I’m finally going to post the letter. Thanks for all the encouragement, Mark.

Found your blog page of Yosemite and felt compelled to write.

I, too, love Yosmite and its rich histroy.
I feel tied emotionally; my granddfather having been A.B.C Dohrmann, who at one time as an invester in the Desmond Company, (one of the Park’s two earlies concessionaires along with the Curry Family), was encouraged to take control of the company, and change its name to the Yosemite Park Company. So grandfather operated as the President of this reformed company until its merger with the Curry Company around 1925-26, at which time he proposeed Tressider, a Curry son-in-law to become President of the new company. Markings of the old YP&CC moniker can still be found in Curry Village.

I return when I can, have hiked the 4-mile, Half Dome, and the strech just to to top of Nevada Falls, Yosemite falls, done the High Sierra Camps, even ran into a gentleman on the trail who remembered my grandfather. Made the hike from Tuolumne Meadows to Devils Postpile. Camped many a time at in the high country meadows.

There is no part of it I don’t enjoy, except perhaps the crush of people during summer, which I now avoid as a time to visit. I imagine I’d be happest buried there someday, or perhaps have my ashes spread from Glacier Point to Camp Curry, in memory of the Fire Falls I was fortuninate enough to enjoy in my youth.

Glad to see you page. Almost like being there, stirring up those memorys that remain, like colling embers of a camp fire.

Mark Dohrmann

Thank you also to everyone who has taken the time to visit and especially those of you who drop me an email or send me a comment or trackback ping. I read everyone.

Thanks.
Loyd - Yosemite Blog

“As I feel my body cool down, I watch a group of Fresno teenagers make way from the trees returning to the main trail. The leader and I exchange smiles. He asks me how would a cool misty spray feel right about now. I answer with a slight nod of the head. He explains that he is a regular traveler in this park and behind that tree is a narrow path that leads to the base of the upper falls. He goes on to say that it is a great place to cool off. With a strong wind creating a cool, misty atmosphere, it seems like an innocent plan. I think to myself, “I have been hiking for a few hours and it’s almost noon. Why not take a break?” I gather my things and head down the narrow path.

A thunderous roar deafens my ears as I approach the sight of the waterfall. Standing next to a boulder, I set my bag down and let the cool mist saturate my skin. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I felt so small standing in the presence of Yosemite Falls. I almost felt as if I were trespassing by invading Mother Nature’s territory. Suddenly I felt very cold. I knew it was time to get on my way, but I thought a picture would capture this moment. The camera snaps, and I walk back to my bag.

My first step proves the path was prone for disaster. My foot lost its traction on the wet, slimy rock as I fall on all fours. On my hands and knees I slowly slide down a long stretch of wet, algae-covered rock. My mind cannot even respond. My speed quickly increases. My body is sliding out of control towards the base of the upper falls. Before I even let out a scream, I plunge into the roaring rapids that are heading for the lower falls of Yosemite’s main attraction. My body now is part of the water, and I honestly couldn’t tell you how I was feeling. I was basically waiting for the unexpected. Submerged in the water for no longer than a few seconds, I am tossed onto a rock that was right in the middle of the waterfall…”

Got your attention? You can read the whole story at the Yosemite Search and Rescue site where there are some excellent guidelines for hiking and enjoying Yosemite.

Kudos to the hard working men and women working on plowing the Tioga Road. They’ve managed to get past Ohlmstead Point and have met up where the Mono County crew left off.

The road is still closed but some segments will be opening soon. There is hope to have the road completely opened by the July 4th holiday weekend.

For more information check out the Tioga Road conditions update page.