Top 10 Waterfalls of the U.S.A. ("Places I Visited" series)

I've been long wandering how I could put down the things I did and the places I visited in a better way, an interesting one, an easy-to-digest way. I was scanning the web doing some research and I came across one of the many "top 10" kind of articles. I told myself, "I might as well add my own!", and here I am in the mix.
I will try to post my own charts, first of all of places throughout the U.S.A.
The first episode, as you read, is about waterfalls. Have you ever wondered what's the best waterfall in the country? I bet you heard of Niagara, and if you are looking for an answer on the web, it will likely show up as a top 3 pick most of the times. I've been to Niagara and I'd never put it even on a top 10 (matter of fact, you won't see it if you scroll down).
I will present other falls, some better known than others, that definitely struck me, for one or another reason. I'll let you judge, this time!

Enjoy - and remember to check out my Alamy page for more of my photography! >>>  My Alamy Photos

10. Vernal Falls, California

I admired this waterfall on my way down from the hike to Half Dome on a hot, late September day. I particularly enjoyed the geometry of the water flowing down and the light & dark layers visible on the rock. A little rainbow topped everything up perfectly.

9. Nooksack Falls, Washington

The atmosphere you can plunge yourself into at this particular spot in the Mt.Baker - Snoqualmie Forest is just magic. To the right side of the falls, a creek rushes down the woods and creates a beautiful, almost mystic haze that reaches the treetops.

8. Unnamed falls along Rainbow Falls trail, Tennessee

Although unnamed and fairly small, this waterfall is still one of my favourites. It is to be found along the Rainbow Falls trail in the Smoky Mountains National Park. And again, although the abundant amount of people that hike the trail usually overlook this fall to go straight to the more famous (and honestly, prettier) Rainbow, it still caught my eye and left me with another nice sight for my collection!

7. Nugget Falls, Alaska

An easy-to-reach, popular destination around Juneau, Nugget Falls, with its spectacular backdrop of mountains and glaciers, is a must-see. On the opposite side of the lake is the West Glacier trail, which gives broad views of Mendenhall glacier and another angle for the fall, from far up in the mountains.

6. Rainbow Falls, Tennessee

Picture-perfect Rainbow Falls, still in the Smoky Mountains national park. 

5. Lower Falls of the Yellowstone, Wyoming

Nestled in the "Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone", this waterfall is absolutely pictoresque, powerful and adorable. Patches of ice and compact snow are visible until July on the canyon banks, and its yellows and oranges enhance the contrast with the lush world just a hundred feet above. For the patient and time-rich soul (not me in that particular day, sadly), early morning provides great opportunities to see the rainbow, while the evening might boast a colorful sunset, especially after a storm.

4. Havasu Falls, Arizona

It's a tough call to pick a favourite among the many falls located along Havasu canyon, and here's mine. Havasu is not my favourite. Although named by many one of the most photographed waterfalls in the country, I personally prefer the fall that comes next on the list. Nonetheless, Havasu still strikes the hiker, the photographer, the dreamer. As from this particular angle, the contrast between red, green, blu and white is extreme and pleasing. It has something of a painting. The cruel thing is - for whoever hasn't been to Havasu canyon yet - that the whole canyon feels like that!

3. Lower Navajo Falls, Arizona

This waterfall overtakes in grandeur Havasu falls. You simply can't stop pulling the trigger - your camera's shutter - when you're in front of it. The canyon walls all around it makes it look like a secret jewel, kept away from mass-tourism and avid developers ready to build accessible boardwalks and other facilities. Hopefully that will never happen, for this beauty to be kept as it is.

2. Palouse Falls, Washington

Not really publicized, for sure not in an ideal location for tourism (the south-eastern corner of Washington state, not exactly the ultimate American tourist destination), Palouse falls will widely reward the soul that will drive the country roads that have to be taken to get there. The setting is absolutely stunning: the rocky walls covered in lush vegetation rise vertically from the water bowl that lies at the foot of the falls. Fat marmots rest peacefully all over the brinks of the canyon. To the right, the river flows through what seems like yet another local version of the mighty Grand Canyon. The thing that appeals the most to me though is, again, it's setting. 5 minutes out of the parking lot and you wouldn't bet a dime on such a majestic place to be there. #travelpower

1. The Falls that we see. Everywhere

Now, I don't want to seem too poetic, but that's what I think. Sometimes I stumble on unnamed, unmarked waterfalls that are simply gorgeous. Sometimes a little creek swollen with recent rain provided me a great sight and brilliant opportunities to create "my own" waterfall. That's what I like the most. This picture taken in the woods of Acadia national park is an example. 

Out of the chart mention: I have to mention it here simply because I haven't gotten there yet, but it's on my list. The Grand Falls of the Little Colorado, Arizona river have to be awesome. I can't wait to drive out there on my next trip!

Catch up with y'all on my next rank!!