Hike to the base or the top of our first national park's signature falls.

Maybe you love Sierra snow for skiing, or snowmobiling, or making snowmen and sledding. Now you've got another reason to love all the wintry white stuff when it piles up in the Sierra, especially around Yosemite National Park . It's the waterfalls. Snowmelt is the magic elixir that creates the thrilling cascades, veils and watery plumes that plunge over the granite lip of Yosemite Valley, creating gorgeous sprays and surprising rainbows. Late spring is when the falls tend to be at their absolute peak, though the falls are undeniably beautiful year round.

Trails to falls range from ultra-easy and paved to strenuous all-day climbs. For an anyone-can-do-it option, try the 1-mile loop trail leading to the base of 2,425-foot Yosemite Falls. This crowd favourite tumbles in two tiers to the valley floor near Yosemite Lodge. Looking for a workout? Take the nearly 6-mile round-trip hike to the top of Nevada Falls - you'll be puffing from the 2,000 feet of elevation gain, but it's worth the unforgettable views of one of the world's most beautiful natural phenomenons.