How often do large rock falls happen at Yosemite?

Rockfall is actually common in the 7-mile-long Yosemite Valley, with about 80 rock falls recorded annually. The last rockfall-related death in Yosemite was 18 years ago, on June 13, 1999, when 21-year-old Peter Terbush was struck and killed instantly.



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Due to its steep, glacier-carved cliffs, Yosemite Valley experiences many rockfalls each year. Historical records indicate that more than 1,000 rockfalls have occurred in the park during the past 150 years.

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Massive Rockfall At Yosemite's Iconic El Capitan Caught On Camera. The 3,000-foot granite monolith is a popular destination for rock climbers. A massive chunk of rocks slid down the face of El Capitan, one of the landmark granite peaks of Yosemite National Park, in a scene caught on video by visitors earlier this week.

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Yosemite Falls, one of the world's tallest, is actually made up of three separate falls: Upper Yosemite Fall (1,430 feet), the middle cascades (675 feet), and Lower Yosemite Fall (320 feet).

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Several of these falls have killed people in the valley. The park receives between three and four million visitors per year. Some of the rockfalls and rockslides have occurred in parts of the park that are heavily used by visitors.

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Horsetail Fall is a small, ephemeral waterfall that flows over the eastern edge of El Capitan in Yosemite Valley. For two weeks in February, the setting sun striking the waterfall creates a deep orange glow.

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At 620 feet, Bridalveil Fall is often the first waterfall visitors see when entering Yosemite Valley. As one of the easier hikes in the Valley, Bridalveil Fall is the perfect attraction for visitors looking for minimal effort in return for maximum views.

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While El Capitan is better known, Cathedral Rocks and Spires is considered by many to be the most beautiful rock formations in Yosemite National Park. Their unusually symmetrical balance—appearing to be a massive, triple-rock formation—is a testament to nature's power.

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The Yosemite Museum has a small geological collection that represents the overarching geology of the park. Ranger-naturalists from the Yosemite Field School collected many of the park's specimens during the first half of the 20th century. (Collecting rocks within national parks is illegal without a research permit.)

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May through September is the most popular time in Yosemite These months correspond with the best weather and are also when all the roads, trails, lodging, shuttles and attractions in the park are open. That includes its most famous drive, Tioga Rd, a 64-mile-long scenic byway that closes when the snow begins to fall.

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British artist, painter and sculpter Alex J Wood (@al3xjw on Twitter) happened to have his camera in hand as an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 cubic yards (764 to 1,528 cubic meters) of rock came crashing down from iconic El Capitan in Yosemite National Park in California. It happened on February 20, 2023.

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1. Hetch Hetchy Entrance. Leave the crowds behind at this entrance. The farthest north of all entrances on the west side of the park, the Hetch Hetchy Entrance leads you to one of the park's quieter areas which only sees 1% of total park visitation.

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In Yosemite Valley, the area around Sentinel Meadow and the Yosemite Chapel is a favorite place to stop to look at Yosemite Falls. In Yosemite Valley, Sentinel Bridge is famous for its views of both Half Dome reflected in the Merced River. You can also see Yosemite Falls nearby.

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