Video from Yosemite Valley on May 24th, 2011. All photos & video in this post are from May 24th, 2011.
I went to Yosemite on May 24th, 2011 to see just how raging the waterfalls really were this year.  They were pretty raging.  I’ve always wanted to see the falls after a huge California winter.  The last really big one was 1998 and I missed it.  That year I vowed not to miss the next one.
Tempestuous Nevada Falls! Â This picture kinda says it all…
Not only were the standard Yosemite waterfalls out of control, but right now, there are tumoltuous 2,000 vertical foot waterfalls that normally aren’t even there.
The cliff jumping spots on the way to Yosemite were boiling. Â Rainbow Pools.
Yosemite snowpack is at 199% of normal this year, which translates into some freakin’ nutty waterfalls.
“Some falls that you can see now don’t have names and aren’t even on the map,” said park spokeswoman Kari Cobb.
The Merced is the river that drains Yosemite Valley. Â It is currently flowing at 199% of normal.
Yosemite Falls can fill a gasoline tanker truck with water every two seconds right now. Â EVERY 2 SECONDS!
Humans and objects in the Merced will be traveling downstream at 10mph in 40F water. That’s kinda sketchy, so try to stay out.
Speaking of humans, two of them have already died in Yosemite this year. One slipped and fell into the water just below Yosemite falls and was killed as the water smashed him against rocks and trees.  The other fell into the Merced River, was ripped downstream, and unfortunately became stuck under a rock.  Good to get those first couple outta the way.  Now, we’ve only got 10 more to go…
Bridal Veil Falls.
SOME FUN YOSEMITE FACTS:
– 12 people die in Yosemite National park on average per year.
– 3.7 million people visit Yosemite National Park each year.
– Yosemite Search & Rescue launches 150-200 missions per year.
–Â Of California’s 7,000 plant species, about 50% occur in the Sierra Nevada and more than 20% within Yosemite.
– Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in North America at 2,420 feet (possibly the 3rd highest in the World).
– Peak snowmelt is expected in mid-June.  So, yeah, the falls aren’t even at their full potential yet.
Yosemite falls, green, & a beautiful California girl.
YOSEMITE VALLY WATERFALLLS:
Yosemite Falls (Upper, 1,430 ft.; Middle, 675 ft.; Lower, 320 ft.)Â highest in North America total drop of 2,425 feet.
Ribbon Fall (1,612 ft.), which flows off a cliff on the west side of El Capitan, is the tallest single fall in North America.
Horsetail Fall (1000 ft) – (I didn’t get a good photo)
Bridal Veil (620 ft.)
Illilouette Fall (370 ft.)- (no good photos, again)
Vernal Fall (317 ft.)
Nevada Fall (594 ft.)
ALL OF YOSEMITES WATERFALL WITH WIKIPEDIA LINKS:
- Bridalveil Fall 620Â feet (190Â m)
- Chilnualna Falls 690Â feet (210Â m)
- Horsetail Fall 2,100Â feet (640Â m)
- Illilouette Fall 370Â feet (110Â m)
- Lehamite Falls 1,180Â feet (360Â m)
- Nevada Fall 594Â feet (181Â m)
- Pywiack Cascade 600Â feet (180Â m)
- Quaking Aspen Falls 25Â feet (7.6Â m)
- Ribbon Fall 1,612Â feet (491Â m)
- Royal Arch Cascade 1,250Â feet (380Â m)
- Sentinel Fall 1,920Â feet (590Â m)
- Silver Strand Falls 574Â feet (175Â m)
- Snow Creek Falls 2,140Â feet (650Â m)
- Staircase Falls 1,020Â feet (310Â m)
- Three Chute Falls 80Â feet (24Â m)
- Tueeulala Falls 840Â feet (260Â m)
- Vernal Fall 317Â feet (97Â m)
- Wapama Falls 1,700Â feet (520Â m)
- Waterwheel Falls 300Â feet (91Â m)
- Wildcat Falls 630Â feet (190Â m)
- Yosemite Falls 2,425Â feet (739Â m)
Forgot the name of these formations. Â The Three Brothers maybe?
Definitely forgot the name of this guy.
