Record Snow Makes Spectacular Yosemite Waterfalls
- Posted on May 29, 2011 at 3:31am by
Scott Baker
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YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — Water, water everywhere — and it’s a spectacular sight.
Record Sierra snowfall over the winter now means record snow melt as temperatures rise, swelling Yosemite National Park’s iconic waterfalls, streams and rivers to their most turbulent level in years.
Yosemite Falls, the nation’s tallest, is spewing enough water to fill a gasoline tanker truck every two seconds. The force of water at Bridalveil Falls across the valley kicks up a mist that clouds the meadow below.
It means that until the peak melt around mid-June, visitors will experience more treacherous beauty in Yosemite than even the travel brochures promise.
“Breathtaking, that’s what it is,” said Lynne Bousie of Scotland, who stopped to pose for a photograph at the spot where the paved trail to Yosemite Falls makes a turn and the first full view of its entire 2,425-foot drop comes into view.
Water cascading from the many signature falls that cut across Yosemite’s granite walls (as well as countless unnamed ones that spout only in peak years like this) is swelling the Merced River. For the next few months the roar of violently churning water will drown out all other background noise in the park.
“Some falls that you can see now don‘t have names and aren’t even on the map,” said park spokeswoman Kari Cobb.
Already the frigid, 40-degree river that drains Yosemite Valley’s snowmelt is flowing at more than 1,600 cubic feet per second, carrying people and objects away at more than 10 mph.
“That’s infinitely more powerful than anyone can imagine,” said Moose Mutlow, coordinator of Yosemite’s swift water rescue program, which began practicing for the season on Thursday. “You can‘t keep up with someone if the water is that fast and you’re running and dodging trees.”
Even minor creeks and streams are flowing hard, which has forced closure of a few campsites. Because of the mild spring, the danger of flooding has been reduced.
Thanks to a snowpack twice as deep as usual park officials say the ephemeral falls like Yosemite that dry up in early summer will still by flowing into August. For the first time in a long time record melt and the peak visitor season are falling on the same weekend.
Yosemite Valley was carved eons ago by the ebb and flow of glaciers over many ice ages. The sheer 3,000-foot granite cliffs drain multiple watersheds, each sending a cascade of water into Yosemite Valley. Some flow for only a few weeks — or in dry years not at all.
It’s a dangerous beauty both in its force and in the allure that draws some people near. Rangers warn visitors to keep a safe distance and to be mindful the water makes granite boulders slippery.
Two people died earlier this month in accidents that might have been attributed to the water. One visitor slipped and fell below Yosemite Falls, where raging water sends a wet shroud over trails and rocks. Another fell into the Merced River, where he swiftly was carried about 150 yards and lodged under a rock. It is presumed he drowned.
Only three of Yosemite’s dozens of waterfalls can be counted on to flow all year — Bridalveil, Vernal and Nevada, and the last two require a steep hike. For a few more weeks, however, even those without the stamina for long walks can experience something rare and special.
“We are very lucky the timing was right,” said James Ayres of England as he gazed at Yosemite Falls. “This is incredible.”
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Comments (47)
NormanDeArmond
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 12:15amwe should stick some electro turbines under those falls and no wasserman schulz electro turbines are not hip muslim extremists.
Report Post »324 million is Washingtons project to remove its hydroelectric dam whichdebby waserman shulz is not an entoxicated boring lady who wears clothes from different styles and levels of formality
NormanDeArmond
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 12:09amShameful waste of power cant we stick some tubine bladesw under those falls have you herd what they are squandering taking Wash. state hydroelectric offline for good, the cleanest power source imaginable
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 10:34pmBlame Global Warming! Everyone else does.
Report Post »Kathy In Houston
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 9:24pmThank you Louie!
Report Post »B4REALITY
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 9:11pmBeen there, done that, and got the t-shirt!
Ah, July 4th weekend – 1994, there was snow atop the Sierra’s that had to be DYNAMITED – - to open up TIOGA PASS! Helloooo….one day of the Iceland Volcano is equal to 4000 years of human CO2 emission!
We should be CONSERVING – yes! But there’s no GLOBAL WARMING/CLIMATE CHANGE! That’s a taxing scam!!!!
Report Post »JGraham III
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 6:29pmNature truly is a reminder of how awesome our God is!
Report Post »shy
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 2:32pmI have lived 50 minutes away my entire life and I have never seen it. How sad.
Report Post »lindap1667
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 2:27pmI went years ago when my children were young and hope they remember the beauty of the whole area (I know I still do and it was almost twenty years ago).
Report Post »TexOkie
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 1:58pmSee I told you there is global warming. Why do you think that snow is melting.
Report Post »David, the Constitutional Libertarian
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 1:40pmRecord Snow.
Hmmmm, I wonder why the media has not jumped on the bandwagon to say this past winter’s snowfall has not PROVEN Global Climate Change?
Oh well, perfect opportunity for propaganda missed!
Report Post »Properlytoastedbagel
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 1:00pmWaterfall tax is on the way
Report Post »sandmannc40
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 11:05amLast time I was there we could still drive there. Today you have to park miles away and wait for a tram to take you or walk. It was picturesque. I have seen videos from there over the last 20 years and it just does not have the charm it had back in the 60‘s and 70’s. Can you all say Commercialization?
Report Post »skinnydipinacid
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 9:37ami suddenly have the urge to go white water rafting
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 10:28amSuddenly, I’ve got to go to the bathroom. Darn prostrate.
Report Post »eddvoss
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 9:18amEven Lake Shasta is full. I drove by it the other day and was surprised. I haven’t seen it that full in years. Maybe there will be enough water for the smelt so that the farmers can grow their crops again.
Report Post »BiteMePETA
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 8:16amFunny how real scientist who study sunspots and are not getting govt. $$$ to study some garbage theory about CO2 keep accurately predicting the climate and the idiots who are taking the govt. $$$ time and again get it wrong…. infact, they can’t even get past climates right….
Sad, but what’s worse, they (communist, socialist, marxist) are using the corrupt science to steal our kid’s freedom/liberty…
Report Post »4EverHis
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 6:56amThe Scotsman named John Muir forged the trails of Yosemite in the late 1800′s. He referred to Yosemite as “God’s natural cathedral” and there is no truer statement. Used to go there every Memorial weekend because the falls were always full this time of year, and good weather, less mosquitoes! :) We used to get off work, drive for 8 hours, and arrive a midnight to a lonely Ranger at his post asking us which campsite we wanted. Now a days, you have to book a year in advance! You actually have to book a campsite! My how times have changed! Have hiked to Half Dome, and if you want to do the same, you had better leave very early in the morning to time it right so you dont come back in the dark. This hiking is in the back country, and you need to keep a lookout for bears! :) If you do the hike, you will create one of the most beautiful memories of your life! :)
Report Post »912828Buckeye
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 6:55amBeautiful, I hope to go there in a few years.
Report Post »quarter horseman
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 6:42amI thought Obama was going to push back the water? That was his promise wasn’t it?
Report Post »quicker
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 6:35amJust wish we would get some here .I live below Huoston and have not seen any real rain in about 5 mouths.I`m getting so tired of draging that darn waterhose around.
Report Post »dizzyinthedark
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 6:20amI don’t want to hear about any water shortages!!! Mississippi overflowin, record snowfall, etc. This proves it.
Report Post »Marylou7
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 5:40amGod is awesome!
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 10:27amYes He is. Great Builder & Inventor.
Report Post »mlcblog
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 4:38amWow! it’s even more beautiful and wonderful than ever. Thanks!!
I love these stories that jar us out of pure news so we can be reminded there’s life out there!!
Report Post »Diane TX
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 4:19amSomehow, I don’t think that my vehicle emissions test results will have any effect on any of this.
Report Post »stanw909
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 3:46amCurse that damned man made global warming
Report Post »Jediusetheforce
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 4:03amDon’t forget your common sense when coming to Yosemite. There have been many man-made disasters over the falls. Look oooooouuuutttttt.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 3:46amThat’s ok, LA will claim every drop and deny the farmers any.
Report Post »Jediusetheforce
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 4:00amYeah baby, can’t beat the weather. Nothing like some fun river boarding. The way to see Yosemite is by backpacking and not suffocating at Yosemite village. Nothing better than enjoying Gods Creation. And, by the way, you might see John Muir hanging out in a tree.
Report Post »grandma7
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 4:26amDarmok, Well Stated!!!
Best rainfalls Northern California has seen in years…..Thank you Global Warming!!
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 4:31amThey are just stunning. I really hope I can see them up close one day with my children.
Report Post »GONESURFING
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 4:34amLet’s hope there is enough to go around. Could it be global warming ? Is that why it’s still snowing.
Report Post »thebarbarian
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 5:51amyea darmok and jillad too…
Report Post »love that un agenda 21. that‘s what’s behind it .
Cemoto78
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 8:09amClimate change, Global warming, whatever the progressives are pushing this week, looks pretty cool.
Report Post »RightWrite
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 9:42amCalifornia government, and the agencies that control the water, hate when we get this much rain and snow. It means they can’t claim shortages, and they can’t raise prices and control on the water. If you could see them in their back offices, they are crying and moaning, but the war on the public will not end — they will now use these record years to raise the averages for their stated “normal”, and for years to come they will claim drought and raise the price, along with controlling our usage.
Report Post »shirelover
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 9:44amYosemite is one of the most beautiful spots in the US. Have been there several times and hiked to the top of Yosemite falls. One of the rangers told us that 95 % of people who come there never leave the valley floor. The last time we were there, there was still snow on the mountains surrounding the valley in June. The Rangers also told us of a plan to eliminate private vehicles in the Valley by bussing people in to limit smog and traffic in the Valley.
Report Post »Joe Palin
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 12:31pmHey Darmok,
You just can’t help finding the cloud behind a silver lining, can you?
Report Post »Very classy. This is a new low level for you…usually you pick something our elected President and his heinous Gum-mint is allegedly responsible for “ruining.”
Are we to assume that you now also consider “nature” or “god” to be liberal troll socialists, etc.?
Showtime
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 12:56pmI saw the rainbow. Bet the moonbow is awesome, too. Have seen only one moonbow in my life.
Report Post »Dale
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 12:58pmDarmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Report Post »That’s ok, LA will claim every drop and deny the farmers any.Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
——————————-
While I agree with your sentiment, I believe you target is slightly missed. The progressive, environmentalist, ‘save the earth’ crowd are preventing water from flowing to farmers. From their perspective, it’s two birds with one stone: put the farmers out of business, and starve America.
grandma7
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 3:19pmThe Barbarian,
Report Post »You’re sooooo right. Agenda 21 and ICLEI.
We Have to Warn everyone, They should be looking at their cities to see if they are a ICLEI city.
In the process of fighting for our SF Bay Area cities, right now. Last week, the leaders put our group on a “Time Out” and the NY times Lied, horribly, about the question I asked and the response from a TP leader.
Keep People Informed about it. Thanks!!!
NeoFan
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 3:29pmYes the planet is going to turn to solid ice due to global warming. Then it will burst into flames.
Report Post »kindling
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 12:24amThey must keep those driveways and side walks clean after all!
Report Post »