Nevada Fall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nevada Fall |
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Nevada Fall
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| Location | Yosemite Valley, Yosemite NP, Mariposa County, CA, US |
| Coordinates | 37°43′29″N 119°32′00″W / 37.724764°N 119.533374°W |
| Type | Horsetail |
| Total height | 594 ft (181 m) |
| Number of drops | 1 |
| Longest drop | 480 ft (150 m) |
| Watercourse | Merced River |
| World height ranking | 576 |
Nevada Fall is a tall waterfall in Yosemite National Park, California. It drops an amazing 594-foot (181 m) (about 181 meters)! You can find it on the Merced River, just below a large granite dome called Liberty Cap. This beautiful waterfall is at the western end of Little Yosemite Valley.
What makes Nevada Fall special is its unique "bent" shape. The water first falls freely for about one-third of its height. Then, it crashes onto a steep, slick rock slope. This impact creates a lot of white, foamy water and a huge amount of mist. This mist spreads out far and wide, which is how the waterfall got its name. Nevada is a Spanish word that means "snowy."
What's in a Name?
The Native American name for this waterfall was Yo-wy-we. This name described how the falling water seemed to twist or squirm.
A man named Lafayette Bunnell suggested the name "Nevada." He thought it was a good name because the waterfall was close to the Sierra Nevada mountains. He also felt the name fit well with Vernal Fall, another waterfall nearby. Bunnell said that the white, foamy water reminded him of a huge avalanche of snow coming down from the snowy mountains.
The Giant Staircase
Below Nevada Fall, there's a calm area called the Emerald Pool. This pool forms a "step" between Nevada Fall and another waterfall downstream, called Vernal Fall. Vernal Fall is 317-foot (97 m) (about 97 meters) high and is just a short walk from the bottom of Nevada Fall.
Together, Nevada Fall and Vernal Fall create a series of drops where the Merced River flows down into Yosemite Valley. When you look at these waterfalls from above, especially from Glacier Point, they look like a giant staircase!
Hiking to the Top
If you love hiking, you can trek to the top of Nevada Fall. One popular way is to take the Mist Trail. This hike is about 3 miles (4.8 km) (about 4.8 kilometers) long from the start of the trail in Yosemite Valley.
To reach the top of Nevada Fall, you first hike to Vernal Fall. From there, it's another 2 miles (3.2 km) (about 3.2 kilometers) to the very top of Nevada Fall. The John Muir Trail, which begins near Happy Isles, also leads to the top of Nevada Fall.
Stay Safe Near Waterfalls
While the areas around waterfalls are beautiful, it's very important to be careful. The pool above Nevada Fall can look inviting, but it is very dangerous to swim there. The currents can be strong, and the rocks can be slippery. Always stay on marked trails and behind safety barriers. Never get too close to the edge of a waterfall, as the rocks can be slick and you could easily slip and fall. Your safety is the most important thing when exploring nature.
See also
In Spanish: Cascada Nevada para niños
