Bridalveil Fall was called Pohono (Po-ho-no) by the original inhabitants (Ahwahneechees) of Yosemite Valley. Here the meaning is believed to translate as Spirit of the Puffing (or Evil) Wind. This photograph was taken at sunrise from Tunnel View and is included in the Native American Historical Fiction, Great Spirit of Yosemite: The Story of Chief Tenaya.
https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/bridalveilfalltrail.htm
Extract from Great Spirit of Yosemite (where an Indian scout, Vowchester, talks about the evil of Bridalveil Fall – Pohono)
Chief Vowchester, fired on firewater with bloodshot eyes, spoke in short, jerky sentences, adding:
“In this deep valley spoken of by Russio, one Indian is more than ten palefaces. Their hiding places are many. They will throw rocks down if any should come near them. Other tribes dare not make war upon them.
They are Yosemites, lawless grizzlies. Strong, born with the power of Ahwahnee’s gaping mouth that will swallow its enemies.
We are afraid to go to this valley. There are many evil spirits there. It is the valley of death and evil spirits. At the mouth stands a great rock Chief, Totoockanula. Its crown will roll down boulders to crush anyone trying to enter. Evil winds of Pohono will bewitch anyone who passes the falls and they will drown in the river. It is an evil place”
In addition, you can read the Legend of Pohono by clicking the NEXT button below (in the blue bubble). This will take you to another Yosemite photograph of Bridalveil Fall, complete with a double rainbow. At the same time, there you will find the Pohonochee legend of Pohono (Bridalveil Fall). The Pohonochees were the indigenous people living in the southern part of Yosemite Valley up to the second half of the 19th Century. They were driven from their homelands at the time of the Mariposa War of 1850/51 during the California Gold Rush.
Hi, I am Paul, photographer, and author of the historical novel “Great Spirit of Yosemite: The Story of Chief Tenaya”. This ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ illustrated book is available in eBook and paperback formats through all major online booksellers from $2.99 (e.g. Amazon, Bookshop.org, IndieBound, Apple Books, etc) - details can be found in "Purchasing Options" in the "About the Book" drop-down.