/tags/yosemite-creek.rss en-us The first thing you notice about Yosemite Falls is not the view, it's the noise. The roar of millions of gallons of water crashing down the length of a 200-story building is deafening, even from half a mile away. The falls known as Yosemite Falls are actually a series of two waterfalls, Lower and Upper Yosemite Falls, which are separated by a series of pools, streams and fissures that snake through a deep gorge. At the bottom of the falls, the spray rises for hundreds of feet, often creating beautiful rainbows as the water glistens in the clear California sunlight. Before it sweeps into the 5th largest waterfall in the solar system, the Yosemite Creek is a gentle stream fed primarily by snow melt. However, once they reach the sheer rock cliff and tumble over the edge, falling more than 2,000 feet down, these demure waters turn into an unstoppable life force. During springtime, when the winter ice is melting rapidly, Yosemite Falls are in their fullest force, spraying a dazzling gush of white water that can been seen over a mile away. There are many hiking trails in Yosemite National Park, but the best trail for viewing the falls is Lower Yosemite Falls Trail, which snakes its way around and up the rock face, nearly a half mile up from the trail head. The best views of Yosemite Falls are actually at the start and finish of the trail, but the trail, which switches back and forth up the cliff, makes for a pleasant, shaded half-day hike. Even if you don't like hiking, you can gaze up at Yosemite Falls from below, taking in its overwhelming sound and lengthy, changing beauty. Often, visitors are drawn from their cars as soon as they catch the first glimpse of Yosemite Falls, jumping out or rolling down their windows for a better look. Thu, 04 Jun 2009 02:13:11 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/yosemite-falls http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/yosemite-falls