Editing Yosemite Falls (section)

== Sections ==
[[File:Yosemite Falls (Upper & Lower) (25069347367).jpg|thumb|All three falls]]
The falls consist of three sections comprising six total drops:

=== Upper Yosemite Fall === 
[[File:Yosemite Upper Falls high flow Yosemite CA 2023-07-13 14-42-17 1.webm|thumb|Yosemite Upper Falls]]

The {{convert|1430|ft|m|adj=on}} plunge comprises over half the total drop. Trails from the valley floor and down from other park areas outside the valley lead to both the top and base of Upper Yosemite Fall.

The upper fall is formed by the swift waters of [[Yosemite Creek]], which, after meandering through [[Eagle Creek Meadow]], drop over the edge of a hanging valley in a spectacular and deafening show of force.

=== Middle Cascades === 
[[File:Yosemite - Middle Falls from Trail.jpg|thumb|upright|The Middle Cascades, other than the last drop, are not visible from the valley floor]]
Between the two obvious main plunges there are a series of four smaller plunges collectively referred to as the Middle Cascades. Taken together these account for a total drop of {{convert|675|ft|m}}, more than twice the height of the Lower Fall.

Because of the narrow, constricted shape of the gorge in which these drops occur and the lack of public access, they are rarely noted. Most viewpoints in the valley miss them entirely. Several vantage points for the cascades are found along the Yosemite Falls trail. Several hikers climbing down from the trail towards the cascades have required an expensive [[Mountain rescue|helicopter rescue]] due to steep and slippery terrain and features.

=== Lower Yosemite Fall ===

The final {{convert|320|ft|m|adj=on}} drop adjacent to an accessible viewing area, provides the most-used viewing point for the waterfalls. Yosemite Creek emerges from the base of the Lower Fall and flows into the [[Merced River]] nearby. Like many areas of Yosemite the plunge pool at the base of the Lower Fall is surrounded by dangerous jumbles of [[scree|talus]] made even more treacherous by the high humidity and resulting slippery surfaces.