Ribbon Fall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ribbon Fall |
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| Location | Yosemite National Park, Mariposa County, California, United States |
| Coordinates | 37°44′09″N 119°38′54″W / 37.73583°N 119.64833°W |
| Type | Plunge |
| Total height | 1,634 ft (491 m) |
| Number of drops | 1 |
| World height ranking | 99 |
Ribbon Fall is a stunning waterfall found in Yosemite National Park, California. It flows down a huge cliff on the west side of El Capitan. This amazing waterfall is famous for being the longest single-drop waterfall in North America. It is also the tallest continuous waterfall in the United States.
Discovering Ribbon Fall
Ribbon Fall gets its water from melting snow that falls during the winter. Because of this, the waterfall is often dry for much of the year. However, in the spring, when the snow melts, it becomes a spectacular sight. The fall drops an incredible 1,612 feet (491 meters) during this time.
How Ribbon Fall Works
The water for Ribbon Fall comes from the snow that piles up high in the mountains. As the weather gets warmer in spring, this snow melts. The melted snow then flows down, creating the powerful waterfall. This means the best time to see Ribbon Fall is usually in April or May.
Winter Wonders at Ribbon Fall
In some special years, when there is a lot of snow, a large ice cone can form at the bottom of Ribbon Fall during winter. This is similar to the ice cone that often forms under Upper Yosemite Fall. This ice cone can grow very large, sometimes reaching a depth of 200 feet (about 61 meters). It's a unique sight to see the waterfall's base covered in such a thick layer of ice.
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The top of Ribbon Fall, showing where the water begins its long drop.
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Ribbon Fall as seen from its base, with a large ice cone formed during winter.
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Ribbon Falls flowing strongly in the spring.
