Yosemite waterfalls now
San Francisco Chronicle reporting suggests Yosemite’s peak waterfall season may be happening right now but could be unusually short this year. The post warns current conditions may already represent the best viewing window for falls that often define spring visits. (threads.com)
Yosemite National Park's waterfalls are at peak flow right now, but the season could end weeks earlier than usual due to low snowpack. (sfchronicle.com) Snowpack statewide sits at 72% of average for this date, down sharply from 150% last year. Yosemite's high country measured just 60 inches of snow water equivalent this April, versus 110 inches in 2023. (sfchronicle.com) Warm temperatures above 70°F in the Valley this week are accelerating melt, with flows expected to drop 50% by late April. Park officials say Bridalveil Fall and Yosemite Falls may thin to mere ribbons within two weeks. (sfchronicle.com) Waterfalls like Yosemite Falls, North America's tallest at 2,425 feet, rely on Sierra Nevada snowmelt for their spring surge. Heavy winter snow acts like a giant sponge, releasing water steadily as temperatures rise through April and May. (nps.gov) This year's El Niño winter delivered rain over snow, compressing the peak into early April instead of stretching to June. Similar short seasons hit in 2021, when snowpack was 40% of average. (water.ca.gov) Park visitation spikes 30% during full waterfall flows, drawing 4 million visitors annually who hike Mist Trail or view from Glacier Point. Rangers urge immediate visits, as crowds ease once flows fade. (nps.gov) Yosemite limits entry to 4,000 vehicles daily during peak spring to manage crowds and protect meadows. Reservations remain required through mid-May at recreation.gov. (nps.gov) Experts link thinner flows to California's long-term drought recovery, despite wet winters in 2023 and 2025. Snowpack has averaged 85% since 2020, shortening the classic two-month spectacle. (drought.gov) Visit now for the strongest flows of 2026, or risk mist and trickles by May. "This is the window—don't wait," said park spokesperson Jamie Richards. (sfchronicle.com)
