Yosemite is a pretty amazing landscape – anyone who’s even done the cursory drive-through sightseeing tour can attest to that. But what we may not be completely aware of is just how amazing it is up there.
Luckily, we have things like Yosemite Nature Notes to keep us all on the up and up. The most recent episode is all about the early spring phenomenon of frazil ice – a strange slush formed by water that freezes on its way down some of the Valley’s many tall waterfalls and can dramatically alter the flow of the Valley’s creeks and rivers.
It’s another beautifully shot, fascinating video – one that just might make you spring for a last-minute spring trip up to the park, too.
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I’m also predicting that Yosemite Creek will produce frazil ice tonight, tomorrow morning, and probably the next night. If you have the chance, check it out, but do be heads-up: Yosemite Creek has a lot of water, and frazil flood events can be VERY dynamic. You might find yourself stuck between a rock and cold, wet place.
That’s awesome! I would love to check out the frazil ice… I’ll have to plan a trip for next spring :)
And I’d highly recommend Yosemite in winter time. I was there in December and went snowshoeing and ice skating. Seeing a snowcapped El Capitan is surreal.
Frazil ice is also a unique and interesting phenomenon that you can explore here. It is a spongy mass which is comprised of crystals of ice and these flow like the water overflowing the creek bed.
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