July 6, 1998

The effect of El Nino this winter and spring was a long, wet season that extended through the end of May. Consequently, the snowpack in the Sierra Mountains in California was deep and didn't begin to melt until mid-June. When we arrived in Yosemite, we were treated to an 85 degree day with more water than we had ever experienced coming down the slopes and filling the creeks and rivers beyond capacity. This lush cascade was a new and unexpected sight just inside the entrance on Highway 140.

The Merced River is full, raging, various shades of green, seafoam and white, bouncing over enormous granite boulders, spreading wide across its channel and flooding the trees along its overflowing banks.

Yosemite Valley   Across the meadow, Upper Yosemite Falls   The valley is full of white lace and fragrant purple lupines with ribbons of white cascading down nearly every crevice. The meadow is criss-crossed by numerous clear, cold impromptu streams.

Half Dome stands naked in the deep blue sky with a shock of white snow on its peek.

Approaching Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls

From the bridge at the base of Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls, only the lower falls can be seen. The temperature is considerably cooler, and spectators are treated to an icy mist and strong cold wind being generated by the intense force of the cascading snowmelt.

Upper Yosemite Falls

One of the other crowd favorites in Yosemite Valley is Bridalveil Falls. The power of the sheer drop forces mist to rise above the tree tops, billowing downwind. This view is from across the Merced River.

The view of Yosemite Valley from Highway 41   That's Bridalveil Falls just right of center and El Capitan just left of center.

Bridalveil Falls as seen from the parking lot

That big rock is El Capitan. There are many rock climbers scrambling up its sheer walls and the turn-outs along the road are lined with cars and spectators who watch their ascent through binoculars. Also note the thin waterfall on the left - in the dozens of times I've visited Yosemite, I have never seen a waterfall in that place - thanks El Nino.

Yet another view of Bridalveil Falls

Leaving the valley floor, we ascend via Highway 120 and very shortly come across this incredible sight along the road - officially called Cascade Creek, it looks more like a river flowing down the steep mountainside. This view is looking up the mountain while standing on a bridge.
And this is Cascade Creek below the bridge as it rushes down to meet the Merced River.

Now go visit Glacier Point and Hetch Hetchy

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