Yosemite Valley is formed by the confluence of two great canyons--Tenaya Canyon from the northeast and the upper Merced Canyon from the southeast. Between them originates a great backbone ridge which extends many miles to the northeast and exhibits many examples of dome structure and glacial sculpture. Lowest of its promontories is the roughly hewn Grizzly Peak, which is flanked on the east by the well rounded summits and smoothly planed sides of Mount Broderick and Liberty Cap. Then, standing in massive isolation 5000 feet above the valley and 2000 feet above its immediate base is Half Dome. Further to the northeast along the ridge are the two Quarter Domes, the Pinnacles and Clouds Rest, the highest summit in the immediate vicinity of Yosemite. Tenaya Canyon, a great glaciated gorge countersunk thousands of feet into the granite, is practically impassable. The main canyon of the Merced, however, as it comes from the east, widens to form the Little Yosemite Valley. With its level meadows and sheer granite walls flanked by perfectly formed domes, it is marvelously like Yosemite but smaller. Further eastward is the High Sierra. THE WATERFALLS There are five great waterfalls in Yosemite and a number of lesser ones which would be world-famous were it not for the comparison. During the flood waters of spring they are at the height of their beauty, amplifying the living landscape by their many columns and booming power. Later, as the snow fountains of the high places are gradually depleted, they take on a more filmy gracefulness but are lacking in exuberant impressiveness. Three of the five falls, the Bridalveil, Yosemite and Illilouette, leap from hanging valleys into the main canyon. All of the minor falls are of the same type. Vernal and Nevada Falls, on the other hand, are formed by the entire Merced River pouring over great steps in the mighty box canyon at the east end of the valley. First seen and most graceful is the ~Bridalveil~, dropping daintily 620 feet at the right portal of the great valley gate. Well may we wonder how this charming fall with its exquisite rainbows came to be called Pohono or "spirit of the evil wind" by the Indians.