Yosemite National Park

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Ribbon Falls

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Ischyros
Ischyros
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4 out of 5
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1
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Ribbon Falls

  • November 26, 2005
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Ischyros from Mishawaka, Indiana
Ribbon Falls

Ribbon Falls is appropriately named. It's narrow and hard to spot, tucked in a little nook next to El Capitan. It's one of the last waterfalls to appear in spring and one of the first to dry up, as it only drains four small creeks. However, when Ribbon Falls can be seen, it is indeed an impressive sight. It is the highest single waterfall in the park and the highest single waterfall in North America, falling 1,612 feet from the top of the cliff before it hits land again. In contrast, Upper Yosemite Falls plummets just 1,430 feet. When combined with the middle cascades (675 feet) and the Lower Falls (320 feet), Yosemite Falls totals 2,425 feet in three separate falls. Ribbon Falls, because it dries up so early, is usually only seen in the late winter and early spring, best between March and May. After May it's rather iffy. There are no trails to Ribbon Falls, but when it is flowing, you can view it on Southside Drive heading into Yosemite Valley, just beyond the parking lot for Bridelviel Falls. The pull-off for El Capitan provides perfect views.

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