Drought Has Yosemite National Park Waterfalls Hitting Peak Early

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK (CBS13) — Thousands of tourists are expected at Yosemite National Park this Memorial Day weekend, but the drought is taking a toll on the attractions.

A morning in Yosemite is filled with fog and occasional showers. It's weather that's keeping the park green in a water-starved California and attracting visitors before 10 a.m.

"I like the mist and the clouds mixed in. It adds grandeur to the mountains," said Brock Preheim.

Park rangers say now is the time to come to come to Yosemite since the waterfalls are at their best. They say the falls have reached their strongest point earlier than in previous years because of melting the snowpack. They saw the scene isn't expected to last.

"We took them out of school a day early, because coming in May means you get to see the waterfalls," said Beth Cobos. "We've come in August before and it's just a trickle of water, very anticlimactic."

But even returning hikers say the falls don't compare to pre-drought years.

"I was out here six years ago and the falls were much more robust then. I was surprised how weak they are now," said Joe Wayne.

Yosemite rangers say without the falls this summer, there is still much to enjoy in Yosemite.

All of Yosemite's campsites for the weekend are full, but rangers encourage guests to hike through other areas of the park now that all of the trails are open.