Yosemite National Park is one of the most famous national parks in all of the United States and the whole world. It is home to Yosemite Falls - one of the tallest and most eye-watering falls in North America. Hiking up the Yosemite Falls Trail is an indispensable part of hiking in the Yosemite National Park and is one of the park's most rewarding hikes.
Photos from Yosemite is so stunning that it makes people from the world over want to pack their bags and visit. Its eye-watering granite formations, its glacier-hewn valley, its giant sequoias, and its abundance of waterfalls combine to make it one of the most unique in the world.
Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Falls is strictly speaking not one fall, but three separate falls. They are the Upper Yosemite Fall (falling 1,430 feet), the middle cascades (falling 675 feet), and the Lower Yosemite Fall (falling 320 feet). The falls are easily visible and can be seen from various places around Yosemite Valley. Superb views are offered from Yosemite Valley Lodge and Yosemite Village.
- Height: Over 2,425 Feet
- Season: Flows Approx. November to July (Peak Flow In May)
While Yosemite Falls may be the most famous and the largest in the National Park, Yosemite is home to countless waterfalls. The best time to see them is in spring - but avoid late summer as the falls are often only a trickle or are completely dry. Storms in late autumn begin to revive the falls and they start to accumulate frost along their edges during the winter.
Other Notable Falls In The Park: Sentinel Falls, Ribbon Fall, Horsetail Fall, Bridalveil Fall, Nevada Fall, Vernal Fall, Illilouette Fall, Wapama Falls, Chilnualna Falls
- Best Time: Spring When Most of The Snow Melts (Peak May or June)
- Tip: In The Winter, Spot The Ice Cone At The Base Of The Upper Fall
The local Indians to Yosemite were the Miwok and according to one source, they dreaded waterfalls. They believed that Yosemite Falls were inhabited by spirits called Poloti and would avoid them.
Yosemite Falls Trail
While many of the best views of the falls are from the valley, one can hike up to the top of the falls. The trail offers stunning views en route. The hike is a strenuous 8-hour long hike but it is very rewarding. If one does not want to complete the whole hike, one can just hike for the first two miles where one can enjoy some of the best views of the Valley floor. Above that, the Yosemite Falls trail has many switchbacks and is exposed to the sun.
- Tip: Take Lots Of Water, Sunscreen, and a Hat On The Hike
The Yosemite Falls Trail is one of Yosemite's oldest historic trails and was built between 1873 and 1877. It leads all the way to the top of the fall 2,425 feet above the Valley floor. The trail starts near Camp 4 along the Valley Loop Trail and runs through oak woodland.
As one comes to Columbia Rock over a mile into the trek, one will be rewarded with spectacular views of the Valley, the Half Dome, and Sentinel Rock. From there hike another 0.5 miles and one will be presented with stunning views of the Upper Yosemite Falls. In the right season, one may even feel the mist from the fall blowing over onto the trail.
Columbia Rock:
- Distance: 2 Miles or 3.2 Kilometers Round Trip
- Elevation: 1,000 Feet or 328 Meters Gain
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Time: 2-3 Hours Return
The upper half of the trail is more difficult as it is steep and rocky. At the top one will see Yosemite Creek - surprisingly small for the size of the waterfall it generates. From here one can continue hiking should one like to. One can hike east to Yosemite Point (by following the signs for North Dome), or west to Eagle Peak (by following the signs to El Capitan). These add 1.6 miles and 5.8 miles roundtrip to the hike respectively.
Top Of Yosemite Falls:
- Distance: 7.2 Miles or 11.6 Kilometers Round Trip
- Elevation: 2,700 Feet or 823 Meters Gain
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Time: 6-8 Hours Round Trip
The National Park
The falls are only one highlight of Yosemite - undoubtedly one of the gems of the United States. While there see El Capitan, Half Dome, hike to the giant sequoias, and much more. This is one of the most popular national parks in America and the National Park Service offers many ranger programs.
There are some limited cabin and lodge accommodation options in the park. Be sure to plan in advance as the accommodation within the park can book out. Accommodation is both in the valley and near the entrance close to the giant sequoias.