The waterfalls in Yosemite Valley are spectacular, among them Yosemite, Bridalveil,Vernal, Nevada, and Illouette falls. Vernal Falls are the first on the way up to Half Dome and have a great lake, emerald lake, at the top. The way it shimmers in the sun is really quite unforgettable. Yosemite Falls is one of the highest in the world with a fall of 2425 feet. The waterfalls are the most stunning in spring and summer and have little or no water from August through early fall.
Winter changes the scenery entirely, making many sites seen earlier in the year unrecognizable.
At higher elevations there is some excellent cross county skiing . Due to heavy flooding this year the Park Service has closed some parts of the park and will carefully monitor others for ecological damage. Another popular attraction is the Giant Sequoia, which are in Mariposa, Touloumne and Merced Groves. These are among the largest and oldest living creatures on earth. The Grizzly Giant in Mariposa Grove, for example, is about 2,700 years old.