Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite National Park

Bridalveil Fall from Hwy 120

Coming into Yosemite National Park from the west, the first waterfall that comes into sight is Bridalveil Fall. The scenery above is a roadside beauty that could be seen after emerging from the tunnel in Hwy 120. There is a viewpoint right after the tunnel with wide enough parking for people driving in to stop and take in their first glimpse of Yosemite Valley. There is no sign before the tunnel that there is a scenic vista right after, but if one follows the speed limit inside the tunnel, they would not miss for sure the scenic vista that follows right after emerging from the tunnel. But of course, for those who are speeding, am sure, this vista is missed. Here are two more pictures from the vista right after the tunnel in Hwy 120.

 Bridalveil Fall from Hwy 120 ( a closer look )

Bridalveil Fall from Hwy 120 ( let's get closer )

Burney Falls

Burney Falls, Mc-Arthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park, CA

Burney Falls is the main attraction of Mc-Arthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park, in Burney, CA. This park is about 30 minutes drive North from Manzanita Lake in Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Mt. Rainier National Park's Waterfalls

Last July 2010, we were at Mt. Rainier National Park. We were greeted by blizzard, very poor visibility and snow during the time we were there. However, we did not let the winter-like conditions in summer stopped us from exploring the beauty of Mt. Rainier.

Us Hiking @ Paradise Glacier Trail, Mt. Rainier National Park, July 4, 2010

Because of very poor visibility, snow deep and icy trail conditions, we gave up some of our planned hikes and focused instead on waterfalls that we can still photograph.

Here are some of the waterfalls in Mt. Rainier National Park that we were able to experience during our visit there last year. I will start from the Longmire entrance going to Sunrise.

1. Comet Falls

The trailhead to Comet Falls is 4 miles East of Longmire Entrance towards Paradise. There is a small turnout for parking on the left side of the road (coming from Longmire) which is just steps away for the parking for the next waterfall, which is Christine Falls. In fact, Christine Falls can be seen from the Comet Falls Trail. The hike to Comet Falls according to our GPS was 1.5 miles one way that climbs steadily 1500 ft. There were several waterfalls that we saw on this trail, one of them is this one below which we do not know the name.

one of several waterfalls we saw from the trail on our hike to Comet Falls

Comet Falls is 320 ft tall and is one of the highest waterfalls in Mt. Rainier National Park. This is one of the very few huge waterfalls that we can view very close to and not just from afar.

Me, In Front of Comet Falls (the white block that looks like icing is snow)

The Trail to Comet Falls

2. Christine Falls

The pullout or parking for viewing of Christine Falls is next to Comet Falls, on the right side of the road coming from Longmire towards Paradise. There is no need to hike to see this waterfall. Where I shot this picture is just a short walk from where we parked on the road.

3. Narada Falls

After Christine Falls, continuing on the road from Longmire to Paradise is Narada Falls. Like Christine Falls, it is hard to miss this waterfall since there are many people stopping by here. The parking here is larger compared to the small turn outs in Christine Falls and Comet Falls trailhead. Narada Falls can be viewed in just a short walk on a steep trail.

4. Sunbeam Creek

This is another roadside waterfall near Sunbeam Creek on our way to Sunrise. There is also very little parking here, like Christine Falls, it is just actually a small pull out for a very quick stop over to photograph this roadside waterfall. It was very foggy when we were here, but thankfully, we still could see the waterfall through the mists.

Yosemite Waterfalls

Rainbow at Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite National Park CA

This was supposed to be my post before we leave for the trip on June 28th, however, I did not get a chance to post this at all. Anyway, since we were heading at that time to another waterfall country, I thought of leaving you then with our waterfall memories from  Yosemite National Park, CA.

Half Dome, Liberty Cap and Nevada Falls

Rainbow Below Vernal Falls

Rainbow and Vernal Falls from the Top

Yosemite Falls

Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park

Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park, WA

( taken from the foot bridge)

The hike: 1.8 miles round trip, with easy ups and downs

Do you underestimate easy hikes? We don't. We do not choose our hikes because they are the most challenging and most strenuous, or the opposite. Rather, we choose our hikes on scenic rewards. Others will skip an easy hike, such as this one probably, not knowing the rewards they would miss.   

The trail to Sol Duc Falls is one of those easy hikes that is filled with ohs and ahs from trail head to destination. The trail head was beautifully adorned with rhododendrons, 

Beautiful Pacific Rhododenron inside the Forest

and the trail meanders through old-growth forest.

Sol Duc Falls Trail

Sol Duc Falls trail is actually a get-away to a number of more ambitious trails. Those who are into backpacking can apply for wilderness permit, carry their camping gear, and continue to hike further up the mountain. There were several streams to cross in the trail, and at one point, we were so awed by the flowing stream on mossy rocks that we spent some time taking pictures, nourishing our spirits with inspirations from nature.

With the very low light inside the forest, I had to shoot with longer exposure. Since we were lazy to check in our luggage, we decided to only carry what is allowed for carry on, and that meant leaving behind our tripod and trekking poles too. Without a tripod, it was very challenging to take decent picture without camera shake. I made my own tripod by kneeling down and putting my elbow down on the ground. I was in that position to take the picture below, when a well meaning older guy passed by and told me,

 Some of the Streams We had to Cross, with mossy rocks

 "continue on....you will see more wonder".