When we think of Yosemite Valley, what comes to mind more than massive granite walls and water spewing over cliffs? For myself, not much. Actually, my mind begins to name some of the most iconic, and tallest, waterfalls in the world. Bridalveil Falls in Yosemite Valley is the second most popular waterfall in Yosemite National Park. Before plummeting the 620 feet, the water travels 10 miles from Ostrander Lake located in the high country. Many recognize Bridalveil Falls from photographs of Tunnel View.
Bridalveil Fall is one of the most prominent waterfalls in the Yosemite Valley in California plunging 620 feet. With its highest flow being in the spring months, this waterfall flows year round and is the most photographed waterfall in Yosemite Valley. Many do not know this, but you can hike to the base of this waterfall and feel the mist spray you by hiking 0.6 miles down the Bridaveil Fall trailhead.
Read on to discover where Bridalveil Fall is in Yosemite Valley, the best season to see the fall, a few fun facts and so much more!
Tunnel View showcases Bridalveil Fall, which is on the right, Photograph by Dalton Johnson
WHERE IS BRIDALVEIL FALL?
Bridalveil Fall is located near Leaning Tower, across the valley from El Capitan. Many recognize this iconic Yosemite waterfall from photographs of Tunnel View, which makes it is the most photographed waterfall in Yosemite Valley.
If you would like to see Bridalveil Fall up close and personal, park your car at Bridalveil Fall trailhead and hike 0.6 miles to the base of the fall.
CLICK HERE to discover which waterfall is Bridalveil Fall
BEST SEASON FOR BRIDALVEIL FALL:
The best season to watch Bridalveil Fall is during the spring months, however this Yosemite waterfall runs year round.
Spring time has the highest flow for Bridalveil Fall
In the winter, this falls is often coated with ice, making the sight aesthetically pleasing
BEST PLACES TO SEE BRIDALVEIL FALL:
Bridalveil Fall is a spectacular waterfall that you can see from several places throughout Yosemite Valley. The most popular place to see Bridalveil Fall is from Tunnel View, however there are several other places to see this gorgeous falls:
Bridalveil Fall trailhead
Valley View
Southside Drive
CAN YOU HIKE TO BRIDALVEIL FALL?
Yes, you can easily hike to Bridalveil Fall. This hike is short, roughly a mile round trip, on a paved path. There is a gentle uphill slope rising 200 feet, but this should not deter you as most hikers wont notice the incline.
Hiking to the base of Bridalveil Fall
Distance: 1.2 miles round trip
Elevation gain: 200 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 15 to 20 minutes
Stormy Bridalveil Fall in Yosemite Valley. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Learning to Love Bridalveil Waterfall in Yosemite:
My first exposure to grand landscapes was Yosemite Valley. “Magnificent!” Most might say, but I am not quite sure. Since I did not have much nature exposure to compare what I saw in Yosemite to other places in the world, I thought Yosemite was normal. I thought waterfalls were a normal sight, I thought granite cliffs were normal, and I couldn’t comprehend the beauty that surrounded me. Until I had the chance to sit with it.
For the majority of my visits and time spent in Yosemite National Park, one of the structures I didn’t understand the most was Bridalveil Fall. Often I would ask myself, “This waterfall is so easy to get to and you can see if from everywhere, why is it important?” Yes, I could blame being young and naive on my thought process, but I don’t think that is the case. I truly looked up at the Bridalveil Fall and wondered why people cared so much about this waterfall.
Bridalveil fall isn’t the largest waterfall in Yosemite Valley. It doesn’t have the grandest flow, but it does flow year round. I often enjoyed the rock features that surrounded the fall, but Bridalveil fall seemed too romanic for me to understand. For instance, the name Bridalveil didn’t make sense to me. I had not ever been to a wedding, so I didn’t understand what a brides veil looked like, and I surely didn’t connect the dots that the name came from a wedding. Like I said, maybe it was just too romantic for me to understand.
I grew up in a working class household. My Dad did construction and my mom was a stay-at-home-mom who worked on the weekends/nights when I was younger. I played in the dirt, the creeks in my backyard, climbed trees, and pretended to be an explorer. I escaped the world through my imagination and toys.
Yet, as I grew up and re-entered this natural world in college, I started to grasp just how different this world actually is in comparison to my childhood, but why?
Call it the boom in technology, sure. Call it the rise in the creator economy, sure. Call it whatever you want.
For myself, the difference was my connection to imagination, the outdoors, and a self of discovery.
So, I began taking trips all around Yosemite. Into the high country, up the granite walls, deep into the backcountry, hiking every trail I could, and snapping photographs to document my exploits. During that process I began to sit with the grand landscape of Yosemite National Park and started to understand this place isn’t like everywhere else. But, what about the overcrowded Yosemite Valley? What about Bridalveil Fall?
Shutting my van door with a backpack loaded with a pen and journal, I headed for the misting base of Bridalveil Fall. I knew that I needed to sit with this waterfall and embrace it, so I could begin understanding.
Finding a spot tucked between the rocks, the roar of the springtime flow surrounded me. My face embraced the wind created by the water pounding into the rocks and covered up, with an extra layer, to accept the misting spray. For a while, I just sat. Looking up at Bridalveil Fall and observing. No judgement, no questions, Just open eyes and an open heart. Looking, as though the waterfall were the eyes of a lover. Then, a warmth began to fall over me, I closed my eyes, and breathed.
“Love Under the Bride’s Veil”
I look at you, yet you surely do not look back
For I am just a simple man, taking a rest on the rocks which lay at your feet.
I wish I could say, that I could offer you the world, but really, all I own fits in a sack
For I am just a simple man, a plebeian, a dirtbag, a wanderer escaping the days heat.
Your beauty, oh gosh, I want to tell you just how beautiful you are, but how do I find the right words?
How can I contort the English language to describe a sight so unadulterated, so pure?
Maybe, hmmm, maybe if I could only see you from above, like the birds,
I wouldn’t need to contort the words, for they would just come to me with vigor.
But, alas, here I am at your feet, looking up at you, wishing we could talk,
Wishing we could look into each others eyes, and open our heart to one another.
Then, the unthinkable happens. You turn and bend down towards me, extending a hand, your mouth starts to move, but I try not to gwak,
“Would you like to go for a walk?” she said, lifting me up, from the rocks to my feet, standing side-by-side together.
As I breathed with my eyes closed, this idea for the poem came to me. So, I quickly pulled out my journal and pen to scribble the words down, got up, and went for walk. Now, anywhere I go that I can see Bridalveil Fall, I tip my head and open my heart, for I know this beautiful waterfall is here to share love with all.
FUN FACTS ABOUT BRIDALVEIL FALL:
As you enter Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View, one of the first falls you’ll see if Bridalveil. It should come as no surprise it's one of the most prominent within the granite walls of the valley. As the name describes it, when there’s a breeze flowing, the mist that wafts off it creates something that would be similar to a 'bride's veil' and thus the name Bridalveil.
Total Height of Bridalveil Fall: 620 feet
Bridalveil Fall is the 431st tallest waterfall in the world
he Ahwahneechee Native Americans called this waterfall "Pohono", which means "Spirit of the Puffing Wind"
The primary source of Bridalveil Fall is Ostrander Lake, some 9.9 miles (16 km) to the south
Crocker Point is known for its perfect alignment of Bridalveil Fall and El Capitan. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Now that you have discovered where Bridalveil Fall is in Yosemite Valley, the best season to see the fall, and a few fun facts it is your turn to get outside and embrace the beauty of this planet. Please, leave a comment below with any additional information that could/would help others in this community.
