Nevada Fall | World Waterfall Database

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This waterfall has been surveyed, mapped and measured in person by the World Waterfall Database.

Nevada Fall is the largest and most impressive waterfall along the Merced River, one of Yosemite's signature cataracts and one of California's best waterfalls. The Merced River, fed by countless lakes and a basin of 118 square miles, funnels through a notch in solid granite rock and leaps free over a broad cliff for half of its fall, impacting on an apron-like protrusion of rock which angles downstream and veiling for the final half of the fall. Measurements taken by USGS surveyor Francois Matthes in or around 1913 placed the height of the falls at 594 feet, and that figure has been assumed to be accurate since. The current USGS topographic maps however suggest the height of the falls to be closer to 480 feet. The methods by which Matthes established his measurements are not known, but given the capabilities of modern cartography compared with those in 1913, that the current maps are likely more accurate than not.

Though the Merced River at this point is the largest and most volumnous stream in Yosemite Valley, because practically the entire Merced River basin upstream from Nevada Fall consists of solid bedrock terrain, there is very little groundwater retention and as a result when the seasonal snowpack has melted off completely, the volume of the Merced will quickly shrink. By September and October it is not uncommon to see Nevada Fall as a trickle of water down a black stain on the cliff (though the falls are rarely known to run completely dry).

HISTORY AND NAMES

Nevada Fall is the Official name of this waterfall

Lafayette Bunnell cites the Native American name for the falls as Yo-wy-we, meaning "wormy" water. He later proposed the name Nevada (Spanish for Snow) because he felt the thunderous river resembled an avalanche of snow cascading down a mountainside. Like so many of the other waterfalls in Yosemite, the suffix Fall is again properly used in the singluar form.

Our thoughts

We last had a chance to survey Nevada Fall in 2004, but unfortunately we did not have the opportunity to take any photographs of the fall then (neither did we have our measurement equipment at the time). However upon visiting, it looked suspiciously clear to our trained eyes that Nevada Fall is not 594 feet tall as has been assumed all these years. Hopefully a visit in the not too distant future will allow us to clear up the mystery. Regardless of a discrepancy in the measurement of the falls, Nevada Fall is without question one of California's best waterfalls and should not be passed up by visitors at all. If you hike to the top of Vernal Fall, take the extra 30 minutes and continue (at least) to the bottom of Nevada Fall.

Location and directions

Nevada Fall is accessed from the Happy Isles area of Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park. From any entrance to Yosemite National Park, proceed to Curry Village at the very end of Yosemite Valley and park. Take the Shuttle Bus to the Happy Isles Nature Center and begin hiking on the John Muir Trail, signed for Vernal and Nevada Fall, as well as the summit of Half Dome. After 8/10 of a mile, cross the Merced River downstream from Vernal Fall. Here the trail splits, the Mist Trail climbing alongside the river and Vernal Fall, while the John Muir Trail takes a longer and gentler (and drier) route up the mountainside. Staying on the John Muir Trail, one will achieve side views of Nevada Fall at 2.6 miles, and will cross the Merced at the top of the falls at about 3 miles. Taking the Mist Trail from the junction, then heading left over the Merced above the Silver Apron will achieve the base of Nevada Fall after about 1.8 miles. The trail continues climbing up the gully to the left of the falls and reaches the top in another three-quarters of a mile.

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Nevada Fall is shown in the center. The 10 closest waterfalls within a 8km radius are shown as well (if any). Click any icon or see the list below for more information.

Additional Nearby Waterfalls

Name of Waterfall	Distance
Silver Apron	0.41 mi / 0.65 km
Vernal Fall	0.59 mi / 0.95 km
Illilouette Fall	1.69 mi / 2.71 km
Tenaya Falls	2.47 mi / 3.96 km
Staircase Falls	2.54 mi / 4.06 km
Royal Arch Cascade	2.69 mi / 4.31 km
Snow Creek Falls	2.71 mi / 4.33 km
Chain Cascade	2.85 mi / 4.55 km
Unnamed Waterfall	2.98 mi / 4.77 km
Upper Snow Creek Falls	3.14 mi / 5.03 km

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Photography tips

Viewing the falls from below expect spray to be a major problem. The falls have a wide open westerly facing and will see direct sunlight for half of the day. In the early morning hours the sun can rise directly over the falls, so expect poor lighting during the late morning hours. Good views of the falls can be had from trails on either side of the Merced River as well as from Glacier Point.

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Nevada Fall Mariposa County, California, United States