Yosemite National Park in Mariposa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Waterfalls of Yosemite Valley

Photographed By Eric Polk, June 2008

1. Waterfalls of Yosemite Valley Marker

Click on photo to view photos and captions displayed on marker.

Inscription. Nowhere else on earth are there so many spectacular waterfalls in such a concentrated area.

During the spring, torrents of water from melted snow thunder over Yosemite's precipices. By August, the "ephemeral" falls disappear; others, like the Cascades before you, dwindle to a mere trickle.

Spectacular, but Dangerous
Ahwahneechee legend warns of the danger of approaching too near a waterfall. The story of Po-ho-no (Bridalveil Fall) tells how an Indian woman fell into the creek and was swept over the waterfall, never to be seen again. Since then, Po-ho-no has been dreaded as the home of a powerful spirit.

Erected by Yosemite Fund.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Native Americans • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 37° 43.441′ N, 119° 42.719′ W. Marker is in Yosemite National Park, California, in Mariposa County. Marker is on El Portal Road, 1.7 miles west of Big Oak Flat Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Yosemite National Park CA 95389, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Journey to Yosemite (here, next to this marker); Rewards of Travel (approx. 2 miles away); President Theodore Roosevelt & John Muir Meeting Site

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(approx. 2.9 miles away); A Storied Landscape (approx. 3.2 miles away); Disappearing Waterfalls (approx. 3.3 miles away); Glaciers at the Gate (approx. 3½ miles away); El Capitan (approx. 3½ miles away); A Varied View (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yosemite National Park.

Bridalvail Falls image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe

2. Bridalvail Falls

Yosemite's Yesterdays image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Flying Spur Press

3. Yosemite's Yesterdays

The old Big Oak Flat Road into Yosemite was a major route to the Valley from 1874 until 1940. Bridalveil Falls may be seen across the Valley in this circa 1900 picture.
Description on postcard

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2015, by Eric Polk of Lakewood, California. This page has been viewed 380 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 26, 2015, by Eric Polk of Lakewood, California. 2. submitted on March 2, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on March 9, 2013. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide area view of the marker and its surroundings. • Photo of the cascades mentioned in marker text. • Can you help?