37 Degrees and Falling

38 AUGUST 2009

ROB

BRO

WN

WILD DIVERSIONS by Craig Carey

Outside Raglan at the Bridal Veil Falls Scenic Reserve is

Bridal Veil Falls, a 55m fall which pounds into a sandstone

basin. Over the years, the falls have worn the sandstone

into a large and impressive amphitheatre. Also known as

Waireinga (‘leaping water’), Bridal Veil Falls was offi cially

recognized with a dual name by the New Zealand Geo-

graphic Board in October 2008.

The easy, level walk follows the Pakoka River to two

platforms (one especially ideal for photo ops). The upper

reaches of the falls move over a layer of basalt, which has

resisted the Pakoka’s erosive efforts with far greater for-

titude than the softer sandstone below.

Access to the base of the falls, via steps that descend

55m, was re-opened in mid-2009. The descent takes about

10 minutes. DoC advises against swimming at the base,

as the water isn’t up to health standards. Abseiling and

climbing are also prohibited in an effort to preserve veg-

etation.

BRIDAL VEIL FALLSCoordinates 37° 54’ 30” S, 174° 53’ 47” E

Height 55m

Source Pakoka River

Jurisdiction DoC (Bridal Veil Falls Scenic Reserve)

Access From Te Mata, head south to Kawhia Road. At

Kawhia Road, proceed east 4km to the parking area.

Grade Easy (20 minutes return)

Map 260-R15/Q15 (Kawhia)

www.wildernessmag.co.nz 39

BRIDAL VEIL is not an unusual name for a waterfall – it’s like naming something after Captain Cook or Queen Victoria… almost too easy. But at opposite ends of the Earth, at latitudes 37 north and 37 south, are two of these near-identically-named waterfalls, both an easy 10 or 15 minutes’ walk.

Waikato’s Bridal Veil Falls

37 SOUTH

40 AUGUST 2009

BRIDALVEIL FALLCoordinates 37° 43’ 2” N, 119° 39’ 7” W

Height 188m

Source Bridalveil Creek

Jurisdiction US Department of the Interior – National Park Service

(Yosemite National Park)

Grade Easy (20-minutes return)

Map USGS 1:24000 topo map El Capitan; available for download at store.

usgs.gov (or to purchase print maps directly from the USGS, download

the order form at http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/forms/usgsbooks.pdf)

WILD DIVERSIONS by Craig Carey

KEN WISE

37 NORTHIn California’s Yosemite National Park is Bridalveil Fall, a breathtaking

188m plunge into the climbing mecca that is Yosemite Valley in a maelstrom of spray. The valley, an 11km gash through Yosemite’s heart caused by gla-ciers over the course of several ice ages, is visited by millions of tourists each year. Bridalveil is one of the best-known and accessible falls to tumble off its walls.

Bridalveil was known as Pohono to the native Americans of the area, and was believed to be the manifestation of a spirit guarding the valley. The native translation, ‘Spirit of the Puffi ng Wind’, alludes to the drier periods in which the valley’s winds blow into the falls and distribute the water before it hits the valley fl oor.

www.wildernessmag.co.nz 41

Yosemite National Park’s iconic Bridalveil Fall