Staff Picks in Yosemite

Hites Cove- Buds, Blooms, Bliss

“Orange poppies, baby blue eyes, and lupine-the mountains are bursting with the first signs of spring!”

Submitted by: Angie Sberna, Accounting Director

The first signs of spring usually arrive in the form of delicate wildflowers which paint impressionistic swathes of color across the foothills. Some of the most popular flowers include poppies, owl's clover, blue dicks, lupine, and baby blue eyes.

While the valley flora is still asleep in snow banks, the Merced River Canyon begins to pop with color starting in mid-March and continuing through May. One of the most popular hikes for wildflowers is the Hites Cove trail.  To hike all the way to Hite’s Cove it is 4.5 miles both ways – the trail is mostly flat and is suitable for most people, however steep drop-offs may make it unsafe for young children. For a shorter hike, just go to 1 mile in and turn around; you will still see plenty of beautiful wildflowers. Be sure to pack a picnic lunch to enjoy along the trail and a camera is a must!

Get Started

Look for signs for the sign for Savage's Trading Post on Hwy 140, 20 miles east of Mariposa or 7 miles west of the Arch Rock entrance to Yosemite. Parking is available on the side of road nearest the river. Follow the trail that goes uphill from the highway. The trail can be very sunny so be sure to bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. Ticks are also prevalent in the area in the spring so be sure to check yourself carefully after any hike.

If you’re looking to capture the best of Yosemite wildflowers and waterfalls, sign-up for the Yosemite Conservancy guided photography course. Click here for details.

February "FireFall"

"February is a month well known for romance, and there is no place more perfect to spend time with your loved one then in Yosemite. "

Submitted by: Tom Arfsten, Valley Complex Supervisor

Not to be outdone by mere chocolate boxes and red roses, Yosemite has its own romantic gesture which occurs only for a two-week period in mid-February and lasts only a few minutes each day. Only visible at this time of year when the sun sets through the lowest canyon notch on the western horizon, the normally unappreciated Horsetail Fall, seems to catch fire and courses downwards in a liquid blaze of red-orange color.

 It can best be observed from a narrow lane of viewpoints on the Valley floor, and so most people never see the stunning cascade of light and water. This dramatic display has come to be known as “Firefall” after the historic man made firefall off of Glacier Point which was wisely discontinued decades ago.

What causes this extraordinary phenomenon?

 Horsetail Fall has a short season due to a tiny watershed that only flows when there’s a snowpack in place above the rim. In all other months when the Fall is flowing, the sun sets behind higher canyon walls and departs in mere white light. These factors combine in February to give witnesses a transient visual delight.

Get Started

 To get to the best vantage point take a late afternoon stroll along the river trail from Yosemite Lodge. Be sure to bring a flashlight as the return trip will be in the dark. If you choose to drive, take Northside Drive about a mile west from Yosemite Lodge. Keep an eye out for that near shoulder of El Capitan coming into view beyond Three Brothers. Starting around 4 p.m. you may start to see a few tripods going up as people get ready to catch the moment on film. If it is a clear day and the conditions are right, the Firefall is visible after 5:15. You may also choose to take Yosemite Conservancy guided photography course that will seek to capture this stunning display. Click here for details.

Vernal Fall-Catching a Winter Water Fall

"Enjoy the majesty of Vernal Fall in all four seasons."

Submitted by: Deb Holcomb, Data Services Manager

Though the word vernal is usually associated with spring, you will find the beauty of Vernal Fall no less diminished by the starkly beautiful ice formations which form along the sides of the fall.  

Winter offers spectacular views that are normally hidden by foliage. The Mist Trail is among the most popular trails in the Valley, and in the spring and summer can be a drenching experience. In the winter you can almost have the trail to yourself. Mist freezes in the air and frosts the sides of the Vernal Fall creating a winter wonderland even when there is no snow on the ground. The sounds of the waterfall change as you may hear sheets of ice cracking and breaking as they fall. Try visiting Vernal Fall in all four seasons to experience how the landscape changes.

Because there are fewer crowds, you may come across wildlife which is sometimes shy during the busier months. For example, on a recent trip we discovered a bear and her cub eating acorns on the lower side of the trail. While bears are less active during the winter months it is still possible to sometimes catch them foraging.

Get Started

Starting from Shuttle Stop 16 -- the Happy Isle Nature Center, cross the bridge and follow the Mist Trail 1.2 miles. The Merced River will be to your right. After 1.2 miles you’ll come to a bridge which crosses the river once again. Once it snows, the trail may be closed here because the trail gets steeper and the rocks get slick. If the trail is open and it’s safe to continue, follow the trail up to the steps. You’ll have a great view of the base of the falls, which is far different from what you’ll see other times of the year. No need to hike all the way to the top.

Tips for the trail

Use care if you decide to continue on the trail steps as the trail becomes steep and could be very slippery. To help with hiking down the steps you may want to use a hiking pole to help with your balance. It the trail seems icy, snowy or slippery, save the rest of the trail for another time of year – you’ll enjoy the views as much then, too.

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