Fall, 2009 and Spring, 2013

When I started researching Bridalveil Fall in Yosemite, California, I discovered that at least 13 other states also have a Bridal Veil Falls, although those are all spelled with two words, while this one is spelled with just one.

Those states with Bridal Veil include: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York (one of the three that make up Niagara,) North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota and Utah.

Even Minnesota has a Bridal Veil Falls, although its existence has been threatened over the past 150 years. Minnesota’s Bridal Veil Falls was located outside of the city limits of Minneapolis in 1860, and was only slightly less popular than the well-known Minnehaha Falls. Urbanization since that time buried most of Bridal Veil Creek, and reduced the once impressive flow of water. However, it is still visible from the Franklin Street. Sounds like there’s another road trip in our future.

Bridalveil Fall was the first waterfalls we saw when entering Yosemite National Park, both in the fall of 2009 and spring of 2013. It’s a view that often makes visitors pull over to take their first photos of the park. That was certainly true for us. This waterfall is fed by Bridalveil Creek, which originates at Ostrander Lake, and drops 620 feet. On windy days, the falling water is often blown sideways, when flow is light, the water might not even reach the ground. The Ahwahneechee peoples called it Pohono, or “Spirit of the Puffing Wind,” a very appropriate name.

There is a paved path to the base of the falls, which will soon be upgraded along with the parking lot and restrooms, making this an even more pleasant stop. The $13 million upgrade is being paid for in part by The Yosemite Conservancy. Construction will begin in the spring of 2019, and should be complete by 2020.

Like Yosemite Falls, the flow changes dramatically from spring to fall.

Fall, 2009

Spring, 2013