Vernal Fall, Waterfall in Yosemite Valley, United States
Vernal Fall is a waterfall in Yosemite Valley where the Merced River drops 97 meters (318 feet) over a sheer granite face. The water forms a solid curtain during spring and early summer, spreading across the entire width of the cliff.
Lafayette Bunnell gave the waterfall its current name in 1851 when he arrived in the region with the Mariposa Battalion. The earlier name Yan-o-pah came from Native Americans and means little cloud.
The fall's original name, Yan-o-pah, means "little cloud" in the local Native language; Lafayette Bunnell of the Mariposa Battalion renamed it Vernal in 1851 for its spring-like flow. A 1932 Philippines postage stamp meant to show Pagsanjan Falls actually depicts Vernal Fall, an error still noted by collectors.
The Mist Trail leads from Happy Isles to the waterfall and includes steep granite steps that become slippery when wet. The hike takes roughly three hours round trip and requires proper footwear.
In summer the water volume drops noticeably and the flow splits into several narrow strands that run vertically down the rock. This change gives the cliff face an entirely different appearance from spring.
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