One of the most prominent waterfalls in the Yosemite Valley in California with the beautiful misty cliffs, Bridal Veil Fall is seen yearly by millions of visitors to Yosemite National Park. It is believed by the tribe of Ahwahneechee Native Americans that the Bridal Veil Fall was home to a vengeful spirit named Pohono. Pohono, according to the stories, guarded the entrance to the valley and those leaving the valley must not look directly into the waterfall otherwise they will be cursed. They also believed that inhaling the mist of the waterfall improves a person’s chances of marriage.

The winds in the area are very strong and have a tendency to create sharp updrafts against the cliffs walls. Accordingly, when the wind blows briskly, the waterfall appears to be falling sideways. On occasion the water doesn’t even make it to its intended spot on the ground, but it instead blown off into the valley in the form of water spray.

The wind can even blow the mist back up over the cliff’s edge and make the waterfall appear to stop flowing. Because of this, the Ahwahneechee called this waterfall Pohono, which means Spirit of the Puffing Wind.

The Bridal Veil Fall is 188 meters or 620 feet in height and it does flow year round although the flow reduces greatly in volume after the peak of spring when nearly all the snow from the previous winter has melted away. Bridal Veil Fall is tucked away in a hanging valley. The waterfall has glaciers that carved Yosemite Valley. The glaciers left many hanging valleys spawning the waterfalls that pour into the valley.

Hiking down the trail to the base of the falls in peak flow season is especially enjoyed by visitors and thrill seekers. During this time the waterfall is at its peak volume from snow melt in early spring. It plunges over the side of the cliff and creates a large amount of mist. There is sometimes so much mist that the thick forest around the waterfall appears to be on fire from a distance When hikers reach the base of the falls they often end up surrounded by the mists that the top of the falls can’t be seen when they look up. It’s been said that there are rainbows in every direction as a result of the sunlight being prismed through the small water particles. Hikers are known to be advised to bring along a poncho or a raincoat during the spring season because they will get wet.

In the late summer hikers enjoy swimming in the plunge pool at the base of the falls. During this time, the volume of the waterfall is much smaller compared to its peak season. However, it also known to be very dangerous as the force of the waterfall from over 600feet can pull swimmers under.

Another interest to the hikers is the abundance of vegetation in the park and the area of the falls. The most common type of vegetation is the conifer tree, Douglas Firs, Pines, Spruces, and a few groves of the Giant Red Sequoia tree.

Outdoor Water Fountains are a perfect way to put a waterfall in your backyard.