A big rainstorm and an old friend

For days and days, the weather forecast had called for five or more inches of rain in Yosemite Valley. While we tend to be skeptical when we see forecasts like this, we also worry a bit. After all, it was rain that caused the 1997 flood (contrary to popular belief, snowmelt was a relatively minor factor in that flood compared to rainfall).

The forecast was right! Yosemite Valley received 5.5 inches of rain (Mariposa Grove got 9 inches)! As a result, there was water in all the creeks. Yosemite Falls was remarkably full (even the next day). Lots of smaller waterfalls were flowing well. The river was rushing. It was like spring in October.

Seeing Yosemite Falls full was like unexpectedly encountering an old friend. Since I first wrote this in a tweet, someone pointed out to me that our geologist, Greg Stock, says something similar in this short video about Yosemite Falls (which also features Shelton Johnson). It just goes to show you how exciting it is to see Yosemite Falls rejuvenated

Talking to my coworkers yesterday was like talking to a bunch of first-time Yosemite visitors–everyone was excited about the water.

This was my view of the Valley on my way to work after the storm.

Just a few hours later, all was sunny and bright!

Yosemite Falls has early-summer flow!