Nevada Fall Plunging into Merced River Canyon Forest (1927)

The full vertical plunge of Nevada Fall dropping over a steep granite cliff into misty evergreen woods along the Merced River. — Nevada Fall Plunging into Merced River Canyon Forest (1927) · Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

Hiking through the upper Merced River gorge, Donald A. Hall Sr. composed this striking vertical study of Nevada Fall in full spring flow. The 594-foot cataract sweeps over its granite lip and plunges downward, generating a thick veil of water vapor and spray that rises through the surrounding pine and incense cedar canopy, highlighting Hall's documentation of Yosemite's celebrated hydrological landmarks during his summer 1927 expedition.