Cascade Creek

Big Oak Flat Road crosses Cascade Creek at Looking up from the bridge, you'll see a beautiful nearly vertical cascade with a slight curve. Beneath the upstream side of the bridge are large boulders that break the violent torrent into multiple photogenic cascades. After photographing the upstream scene, cross the road (carefully) to find downstream shots of Cascade Creek's collision with Tamarack Creek.

When Cascade Creek is running, I can find something for every focal length. Unfortunately, it dries quickly and by mid-summer of a typical year, the roaring spring flow is no more than a trickle. It will start flowing again with the first storms, usually October or November, but is always at its most dramatic at the peak of the spring runoff, usually sometime in May.

How to get there

Approaching Yosemite Valley on Big Oak Flat Road, look for the creek on your left, not long after passing through the first tunnel and immediately after crossing Tamarack Creek. Exiting the valley, the creek is visible on your right not far beyond the second tunnel. You'll find paved parking areas on both ends of the bridge, and a sidewalk for viewing on both sides. Be careful on the bridge--while there are sidewalks on both sides, cars whiz by, and the concrete railing is lower than it should be.