Lower Yosemite Falls - California Waterfalls; Yosemite Natl. Park, Yosemite Village-hike/trail/map/directions

Yosemite National Park in California is truly magnificent. It is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It is home to the highest waterfalls in North America, and they are nothing less than spectacular. It is home to some absolutely huge, incredible rocks (such as Half Dome, and El Capitan). It is home to some old growth forests. The scenery is awesome. You will not be able to see everything in a single trip. We have been there three times now, and there is still so much more we want to see there. You will need to make reservations for camping or lodging well in advance, due to the large number of tourists that go there (at least 3 months to 1 year). One other recommendation: if you are going there to see the waterfalls, you should go in mid May to early June. A lot of the waterfalls dry up over the summer, or do not flow with as much force in later months. We have been there in July and in late May, and in March. Although the waterfalls were still great in July (the ones that were still flowing), in May they are absolutely overwhelming. We can not describe in words how incredible these waterfalls are. They take your breath away.

Everyone who goes to Yosemite National Park, will see Lower Yosemite Falls. It is easy to get to, however they have now officially closed the lower falls parking lot. It is a busy place, but Lower Yosemite Falls is impressive nonetheless. Together with Upper Yosemite Falls (1430 ft.) and the middle cascades (675 ft.), the total height of the waterfalls is 2425 ft., making this the 5th highest waterfall in the world. In the spring, you will likely get wet just standing at the viewpoint. The actual waterfall is still a few hundred yards away. That is how powerful these waterfalls in Yosemite are. In the summer months, you can climb up the rocks to get a closer view, but in the spring it would be very dangerous to do so. I love coming here in the early morning hours when not many other people are around. You can also usually see a rainbow on the lower falls in the early morning (see above photo).

Yosemite Valley CA (Elev. 4760 ft)

This Afternoon
Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. South southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. East northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday
Rain, mainly after 4pm. High near 64. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Friday Night
Rain. Low around 38. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Saturday
Rain. High near 50. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Saturday Night
Rain before 4am, then rain, possibly mixed with snow. Low around 29. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Sunday
Rain and snow likely, becoming all rain after 10am. Snow level 5400 feet rising to 6300 feet in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. Light south southeast wind becoming south southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Sunday Night
Rain likely, mainly between 10pm and 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. South southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday
Rain likely, mainly after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday Night
Rain. Low around 31. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tuesday
Rain. High near 49. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night
Rain and snow likely. Snow level 6100 feet lowering to 5400 feet after midnight . Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Wednesday
A chance of rain and snow. Snow level 4900 feet rising to 5600 feet. Partly sunny, with a high near 50. East wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.