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The Bridalveil Fall
The Bridalveil Fall is a great destination in Yosemite. Even in the summer you can be lucky to see enough water coming down at the Bridalveil Fall. There is a parking area very close to the waterfall. From there you will already see where you will be heading.
Along the left side of the trail is a refreshingly inviting stream to wade in. The trail leading to the waterfall is paved and has a slight incline.
Once at the end of the trail you can easily see the waterfall. It is warned not to climb the rocks as they can be slippery when wet. But on a hot and dry day and many make their way towards the top anyway. Good shoes are a must if you want to take the chance. Not only can the rocks be wet, but some have also sharp edges.
About 1/4 of the way up, there is a shallow “bath” or “pool” which seems like a oasis to retreat to. It is already worth the climb to this point. After visiting the Bridalveil Fall, the next destination could be the Yosemite Falls. The trip takes you through majestic scenery of high mountain walls protecting areas of forest and field in between.
There is a rest area with picnic tables and facilities. The water was shallow and kids and teens were bathing in the refreshing stream.
Once we arrived at the falls, we noticed the numerous possibilities to climb the rocks to the area closer to the water.
The Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls
From Yosemite Falls parking area you can already could see the falls. The Yosemite Falls is actually divided into two sections, The Upper Falls and the Lower Falls. It is only a 5 minute walk from here to the area of the Lower Falls and from this point, the Upper Falls are inaccessible.
There were many “pools” on the way towards the falls. The water was ice cold but felt refreshing, as the day was hot.
All the visitors seem to have the same goal... to climb as far and high as possible. But there comes a point when it seems to get trickier and most stop here.
Between the parking area close to the Yosemite Falls and the falls itself was a vast and sererne area of forest full of trails to be discovered.
Often the only commotion to be heard is the sound of the birds in the trees above and the scampering chipmunks on the forest floor.
July 2008 was again a sad year for the Yosemite forest as parts of it were being destroyed by wildfires. The skies were redish and hazy with smoke and the high afternoon sun had the appearance as if it were setting in the evening and gave the whole forest an orange glow. Fine ashes were sailing down from the sky, indicating just how much damage was being caused.
The forest is full of wildlife. Quails, chipmunks, deer, bluejays... all can be seen while just walking through.
During July 2008 and because of the fires, the color of the sky gave a reddish hue on everything in forest. Three in the afternoon seemed to be already dusk hours.
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