The Ribbon Falls flows off a cliff on the west side of El Capitan, and is the largest single-drop waterfall in North America. The fall is fed by melting winter snow spectacular at 1,612 feet (491 m) in the spring remaining a thin wispy ribbon of water until it arrives at the bottom coming in at only 30 feet wide.
Ribbon Falls Water Fall
Located in Yosemite National Park in California, this waterfall is home of the giant Sequoias, bears, and interesting geological formations. Famous for Old Faithful and the reputed largest waterfall in the United States, the Yosemite falls in the Yosemite National park in part of the many inspiring waterfalls in the park. One of the notable Yosemite falls is the Ribbon Falls.
In exceptional years, an ice cone develops at its base during the winter months similar to that which usually forms beneath Upper Yosemite Fall. This deposit can reach a depth of 200 feet, versus 322 feet for the greatest depth of the ice cone beneath the Upper Fall. The Ribbon Falls shares its name with another waterfall in South Island, New Zealand. In addition, this waterfall is ephemeral as it is fed by a tiny creek, the Ribbon Creek, coming and going with the seasons in the park. Accordingly, due to the short life span of this waterfall each year there are not good trails or roadways to reach the base of the waterfalls.
The Ribbon Falls can only be seen from head on, from atop. The Ribbon falls is ensconced in a small niche in the cliff side where visitors to the park can stand on a lookout on the south side road that is just opposite Bridal Veil Falls. One can see the Ribbon falls plunging from the cliffs to the west of the El Capitan.
Surrounding the falls, the face of the cliff can be found with is a grayish tan color. The cliff and the rest of the valley was carved and shaped by the efforts of a moving glacier. Often seen dotting the sky at the top of the cliff face even from the distance that most observers view the falls are conifer trees. Also, although the falls are much narrower than the carved out rock, the falls can be seen hugging the right side of it narrow niche. There is also a slightly lower jutting cliff face to the left of the niche. It is with a gentle slope at the top. Here, a few more conifers and green vegetation appears before it recedes into the cliff wall. Also, a generous carpet of dark green conifers spread out on its way to the valley floor at the base of the falls.
Adding to the ephemeral nature of the Ribbon Falls in the sky is its height where Ribbon Falls ends a good 1500 feet above the floor of Yosemite Valley. It has its start in the highest part of the cliff in that area 3000 feet about the valley floor.
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