Nevada Falls

In Yosemite National Park in California, Nevada Falls is a 594-foot (181 m) waterfall on the Merced River. It lies beneath the granite dome known as the Liberty Cap at the western end of Little Yosemite Valley.

The "bent" shape of the waterfall, in which the water falls freely for about a third of its length to a steep slick-rock slope, is a feature that distinguishes it from other waterfalls. Its present moniker comes from the water's mid-fall encounter with the rock face, which causes a considerable volume of mist to spread out over a large area and gives the fall a tumultuous, whitewater aspect (Nevada is a Spanish word meaning "snowy").

The waterfall was given the name "Nevada" by Lafayette Bunnell. He assumed it was the closest waterfall to the Sierra Nevada and because the word was suitably suggestive of a snowy partner, thus it was given the name Nevada Falls. In his mind, the white, foamy water that rushed down Yo-wy-we from the snow-covered mountains was an enormous avalanche of snow.

The climb to Nevada Falls is located along the Mist Trail, 3 miles (4.8 km) from the Yosemite Valley trailhead. To get to the summit, you must first trek to Vernal Fall and then another 2 miles (3.2 km) upwards.

In sum, Nevada Falls:

• A 594-foot (181 m) waterfall, located in Yosemite National Park in California.
• A curved shape and lies beneath the granite dome at the western end of Little Yosemite Valley.
• Was named "Nevada" by Lafayette Bunnell.
• The Nevada Falls climb is along the Mist Trail, 3 miles (4.8 km) from the top of the Yosemite Valley trailhead.