View of Ribbon Falls and El Capitan upon driving into the valley:
Zooming in on Ribbon Fall while parked on the road across from Bridalveil Fall:
We parked near the signpost V9 just past El Capitan Meadow and began hiking past a locked gate and up an old road where firewood is stored. This was our view from that road of Ribbon Fall:
Just before the road ended (and Old Big Oak Flat Road continues as the Rockslides Trail), we turned off at this spot and began hiking on the informal Ribbon Fall trail:
The trail begins as an easy walking path through the woods:
The trail goes through and around a large amount of trees:
Notice that cairns are plentiful to help skilled cross-country hikers to stay on the trail. Two sets can be seen here:
Much of the time, a faded path was visible on top of the brush and growth on the ground:
The trail eventually turns right and reaches the edge of Ribbon Creek, which is then followed uphill for a while:
Ribbon Creek was flowing quite heavily during our visit at the end of April:
Moss-covered granite boulders were scattered along the hillside:
Passing through a large rockslide of boulders:
While passing through this section of boulders, the trail got noticeably steeper:
A partially fallen and decayed tree on the trail:
I was joined on this hike by fellow hikers Charlie (left) and Oleg (right). Oleg was here on his very first trip to Yosemite:
Continuing to climb through the forest through a gully:
Steve back hiking in Yosemite on another exclusive after a 3 year absence from the park:
The trail made its way back over to Ribbon Creek once again:
A majestic rare view of El Capitan can be seen by dropping down to the bank of Ribbon Creek:
A thick forest can be seen looking up El Capitan Gully. But this was not our destination, so we got back on the trail:
One last look at the creek before continuing up the trail:
This is when the trail got even steeper and featured a lot of dirt switchbacks:
A set of rock cairns creatively put into the roots of a fallen tree:
Looking down at the forest below while we hiked the steep trail:
Continuing along the dirt trail in the next two pictures:
A view of Yosemite Valley below reveals that we are gaining a good amount of elevation:
Nice view of the granite cliffs through the trees:
The trail continued to be easy to follow. In fact, we didn't get lost once all day. From what we have heard, other hiking groups have not been as fortunate:
Pushing on through the forest on a nice Spring day:
Ribbon Fall finally becomes visible from our informal trail:
An amazing view of Ribbon Fall cascading down:
The trail dead ends at this rock wall. The purpose of the trail is to lead climbers to this location. But a handful of brave hikers have also been using the trail to access Ribbon Fall:
From the base of the rock wall, we headed to the right and soon reached another viewpoint of Ribbon Fall:
The trail then began a gradual descent toward the base of Ribbon Fall:
Just before emerging from the final section of trees, this was the view of Ribbon Fall:
Once past the trees, a full view of Ribbon Fall's 1,612 foot drop can be seen:
Ribbon fall is located in an enclosed box amphitheater, which adds to the remarkable beauty on display:
Zooming in on the upper portion of Ribbon Fall from this spot:
Another angle of Ribbon Fall reveals the mist that is being blown around by the ever-present wind here:
The final route to the actual base of the fall involves hiking across slippery rocks and getting drenched by the downpour of mist:
Looking back out towards El Capitan and Yosemite Valley:
A view showing all of El Capitan's western rock face from this spot:
Now standing even closer to the base of the fall and looking straight up at the incredible sight:
As water flows down Ribbon Fall, it separates into several different strands:
A picture of Charlie in front of the fall. As you can see, the late afternoon sunlight was creating lighting issues which were making it hard to get good pictures:
Notice that half of Ribbon Fall was in the bright sunshine and half was in the shade:
This picture shows how much mist was blowing across the area of the wet rocks near the base:
Continuing to get closer to the actual base of Ribbon Fall:
A picture of Charlie standing at the base next to blocks of snow:
And a picture of Steve standing near the base of the fall:
This view looking straight up from near the base reveals the outline of the box amphitheater. This is truly a special place:
Now to the left of the base, we are just above where the water is cascading down:
Blocks of snow, wet rocks, and the base of the waterfall:
Looking straight out of the box canyon walls toward Yosemite Valley:
This is looking up the wall which is opposite of Ribbon Fall:
Higher up, right at the end of the canyon, I got the best view possible of Ribbon Fall:
The views from this spot revealed why hikers are getting soaked by Ribbon Fall when they try to reach the base:
View of Steve with Ribbon Fall in the background. What you can't see in this picture is that I am soaking wet and cold. But it was well worth it:
Another view looking straight up the three walls of the canyon:
These blocks of snow were all that remained of the winter ice cone which forms here:
Two final pictures of Ribbon Fall from the hard to reach base:
Steve and Daria heading out of Yosemite after our April 2012 trip:
