World of Waterfalls

Explore The World One Waterfall At A Time

"Glacier Point Falls"

Yosemite National Park, California, USA

About “Glacier Point Falls”

For Subscribers Only. See Membership Options.
Jump to: Photos, Videos, Other Info
Jump to: Comments and Reviews
Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

“Glacier Point Falls” is the informal name I’m giving to this very short-lived waterfall. In all the years I’ve visited Yosemite and hiked the John Muir Trail, I never really noticed this waterfall. Either it wasn’t flowing or it was a case of bad timing each time I came here. But all that changed in June 2011 when I happened to be re-doing the whole Nevada Falls / Vernal Fall loop and noticed this waterfall flowing fairly well somewhere along the first mile or so en route to the Vernal Fall footbridge from Happy Isles. It could also be that the record snowpack from that Winter and Spring also helped to bring this waterfall back to life. I suppose this unpredictability alone could make one argue that this shouldn’t count as a legitimate waterfall. Either way, I put this page in so you can decide.

Because this waterfall appeared to be sourced from the melting snow around the Glacier Point vicinity, this was the how I came up with this informal name for the falls. Actually, I had recalled other websites citing this so-called “Glacier Point Falls” and perhaps this was what they were talking about.

In any case, you could make the argument that this really should be called “Washburn Point Falls” because I recalled hiking across a flooded part of the Panorama Trail somewhere beneath Washburn Point. And it’s totally reasonable to conclude that the cascade responsible for the flooding on the trail also drained further downslope over the cliffs into the Merced River Canyon at least 2000ft or more below.

In addition to noticing the waterfall on the paved part of the John Muir Trail, I was also able to spot it from the brink of Vernal Fall.

0 Comments
Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.

Related Top 10 Lists

No Posts Found

Tagged with: yosemite, national park, john muir trail, mist trail, vernal fall, mariposa, sierra, california, waterfall, glacier point, ephemeral, washburn point



Visitor Comments:

Got something you'd like to share or say to keep the conversation going? Feel free to leave a comment below...

No users have replied to the content on this page


Share your thoughts about what you've read on this page

You must be logged in to submit content. Refresh this page after you have logged in.

Visitor Reviews of this Waterfall:

If you have a waterfall story or write-up that you'd like to share, feel free to click the button below and fill out the form...

No users have submitted a write-up/review of this waterfall


Have you been to a waterfall? Submit a write-up/review and share your experiences or impressions

Review A Waterfall

Nearest Waterfalls



How To Build A Profitable Travel Blog In 4 Steps