Yosemite National Park
|
Ribbon Fall Yosemite National Park |
May 24, 2021
Today's adventure was inspired by an online article extolling the wonders of
Ribbon Falls — close up, that is. So here I am in Yosemite Valley
at nine o'clock, having incurred a twenty-minute construction delay just three
miles from my trailhead.
Because the author also seems to have visited the area earlier in the season and at a time of high water, he advocated packing a warm jacket and a raincoat. Well, it is going to get up to eighty degrees in the Valley today; so I have my reservations about that. Not wanting to be unprepared, however, I pack those items anyway; I also opt to take only my waterproof camera.
It starts here
The destination is dead ahead
Soon I am on the old Big Oak Flat Road, the original route into the park. There is supposed to be an actual trail nearby, without which this trek might be impossibly difficult. I locate it about 60 feet east of the coordinates posted online.
On the social trail, which I understand the rangers won't even talk about
Not much water in the creek
Although some hand-over-hand scrambling is necessary, no actual bushwhacking is required; it's just a relentlessly steep grade up through thick forest, with virtually no views of anything other than the route ahead. At no time do I spot a helpful cairn; but at no time is one needed, either.
Although I must stop to rest my aged lungs and legs many times, I arrive at the destination rather sooner than expected. Oh, my!
Ribbon Falls, 1,612 feet high, is the longest sheer drop in North America
In contrast, the nearby Upper Yosemite Falls stretches but a mere 1,430 feet!
My litte camera cannot hope to capture the entirety of the scene
Finally, there is a scenic view, however, and an unusual one at that, from inside
the 'cirque'. It's not actually a glacial cirque; but the term seems to fit,
because the falls are enclosed in a semi-circular amphitheater of sorts,
which is not readily apparent when viewing from a distance.
Cathedral Rocks across the valley
This late in a dry season, the streamflow is reduced; so the minimal amount of spray from the falls proves no bother at all. I am comfortably able to scramble up all the way to the back of this amazing alcove, where I can take photographs from the shade that soon will be gone.
Climbers occasionally try their luck back here
There still is some snow and ice in here
Trying in vain for a good shot
Last view of the U-shaped enclosure
Going down is much easier
A couple surprises me; I had not expected company on this one
Tunnel tree
Nearing the end
The falls will dry up soon
El Capitan is right next door
On the drive out, I incur another 15-minute delay, then can only shake my head in
sympathy at the two-mile-long line of cars waiting to enter the valley at midday.
They should have shown up sooner
The obligatory stop to enjoy Bridalveil Falls
§: Well, I bought into the hype hook, line and sinker. Not only did
I not need a warm jacket or even a sweatshirt, but I even could have used my regular
camera, and shame on me for not packing it. The other writer's trip specs were off
as well, despite his claim of accuracy. The one-way distance was just 1.55 miles,
not 2.3 miles; and the elevation gain was greater than advertised.
That being said, this was a great adventure, well-worth the seven hours of
driving time. Despite a dozen rest stops on the way up, I made it to the back of
the enclosure in just 80 minutes, then down the hill in 65 minutes.
I thank the blogger for recommending this hike; otherwise, I might never have thought to
do it.
Being in the alcove, surrounded by 1600-foot walls on three sides, was a unique
and humbling experience. More than any other place I can think of, the camera proved
hopelessly inadequate; one simply has to be there.
Coincidentally enough, this is the same day of the month as my first-ever valley
off-trail foray — up to Sierra Point in 2010; and my last previous
adventure around here was to Hidden Falls in Tenaya Canyon in 2019, also on the
same date! Go figure.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Personality |  |
| Adventure |  |
