Staircase Falls | World Waterfall Database

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

Staircase Falls is one of two named ephemeral waterfalls within Yosemite Valley. The falls occur along the very fittingly named Gossamer Creek as it cascades down from Glacier Point. Gossamer Creek's natural course into Yosemite Valley was via a large joint in the bedrock which forms a gully that runs from the Glacier Point parking area clear to the valley floor at about a 45 degree angle. However at about the 5800 foot level, the creek has been diverted northeast from its otherwise northwesterly course - most likely by a rockfall - at which point it intersects the bedrock forming the cliffs above Camp Curry and cascades about 1,300 feet to the valley floor. Perhaps the most eye-catching characteristic of this drop is that due to the jointing in the cliffs, the falls actually shift to the east as they fall. This creates the striking stair-stepping which gives the falls its name, but at the same time the falls are technically continuous because below each step the creek continues sliding downward rather than pausing in a pool.

Because Gossamer Creek drains from an extremely small area near Glacier Point, Staircase Falls is a very short lived feature. However, because there is soil in the basin and it faces north, winter snow is slow to melt and the ground is slow to allow the water to run off, so while the falls do run dry by the end of June, they flow fairly consistently (albeit very lightly) during the spring months.

Seasonal Discharge
This waterfall occurs along a stream that is known to vary greatly in volume and as a result may not flow consistently year round or may dry out completely during certain periods.

HISTORY AND NAMES

Staircase Falls is the Official name of this waterfall

Our thoughts

The low volume of Staircase Falls makes it difficult to see against the semi-reflective granite cliffs below Glacier Point and this makes it hard to appreciate, even if there isn't much of a waterfall to appreciate. Most likely this waterfall will only be of interest to waterfall hunters, and even then it has to be successfully spotted amongst much more grand scenery.

Location and directions

Staircase Falls is best seen from several areas around Curry Village within Yosemite Valley. Entering Yosemite National Park from any point, proceed to Yosemite Valley and follow Southside Drive to the Curry Village parking lot. The falls can partially be seen from the parking lot, but better views are allowed from Stoneman Meadow, Housekeeping Bridge or Church Bowl. The base of the falls can be accessed by following unofficial trails behind Camp Curry which lead to the foot of the cliff (unfortunately we don't know where these trails start from).

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Staircase Falls 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
Sentinel Fall	1.1 mi / 1.76 km
Royal Arch Cascade	1.11 mi / 1.78 km
Illilouette Fall	1.7 mi / 2.73 km
Yosemite Falls	1.85 mi / 2.96 km
Lehamite Falls	1.91 mi / 3.06 km
Columbia Cascade	1.92 mi / 3.08 km
Vernal Fall	1.95 mi / 3.12 km
Fissure Falls	1.98 mi / 3.17 km
Silver Apron	2.13 mi / 3.41 km
Nevada Fall	2.54 mi / 4.06 km

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Photography tips

Because the best views of the falls are from some distance away and the falls are quite small, good lighting is tantamount to taking good pictures. A polarizer is a must and because the falls face northeast, morning is the best time to photograph the falls. A moderately powerful telephoto lens is also necessary when viewing the falls from essentially anywhere other than its immediate base.

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Staircase Falls Mariposa County, California, United States