Читать книгу 50 Best Short Hikes: Yosemite National Park and Vicinity - Elizabeth Wenk - Страница 18

5 Bridalveil Falls

Trailhead Location: West end of Yosemite Valley

Trail Use: Hiking

Distance & Configuration: 0.8-mile out-and-back

Elevation Range: 3,970 feet at the start, with 100 feet of ascent/descent

Facilities: Toilets are at the trailhead. Water is available at many locations around Yosemite Village, Yosemite Lodge, and Curry Village.

Highlights: Wonderful late-afternoon lighting, forever-moving stream of water, and year-round water

Bridalveil Falls

DESCRIPTION

The short walk to Bridalveil Falls is a must-do for every Yosemite tourist. The lighting is best in the late afternoon, beautifully illuminating the stream of water and U-shaped hanging valley at the top of the fall.

THE ROUTE

From the parking lot, head east on the wide paved trail. A little beyond the parking area, the track forks (0.15 mile from start). Stay right; the left-hand track takes you to the El Capitan vista point along Southside Drive. Your trail climbs gently alongside one of the four boulder-filled channels that comprise Bridalveil Creek below the waterfall. As you approach the fall, the surrounding vegetation becomes lush, for the waterfall’s year-round spray keeps the plants, including thickets of wild grapes, well watered.