RT Yosemite Falls

A steep climb is well rewarded with close-up views of Upper Yosemite Fall and distant views of Half Dome and other Sierra mountain peaks

General Information

Length:

Lower Yosemite Falls: 1.2 mi loop

Upper Yosemite Falls: 6.6 miles round trip

Elevation Gain:

Lower Yosemite Falls: 55 ft

Upper Yosemite Falls: 3,254 ft

Pet Policy:

Pets NOT allowed on trails

Seasons:

Open year-round. Water is at its peak in spring and early summer. Waterfall is often dry from late July or August through October. Icy conditions in some areas during the winter

Trailhead:

Lower Yosemite Falls Trailhead
Upper Yosemite Falls Trailhead

How to Get There

From Yosemite Valley El Portal Entrance (14 mi): Head northeast on El Portal Rd. El Portal Rd turns slightly right and becomes Southside Dr. Keep left to stay on Southside Dr. Turn left onto Northside Dr. At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit and stay on Northside Dr. Turn right toward Camp 4 Parking. Turn right onto Camp 4 Parking.

Overview

Yosemite Falls is North America’s tallest waterfall at 2,425 feet, in three sections, and is at its peak in May and June, when it thunders in the valley. The short paved walk to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall is easy, and the strenuous Upper Yosemite Fall Trail, built 1873–77, climbs 3.6 miles one way with 2,700 feet of gain to the top with sweeping valley views. It often dries up by late summer.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles "Yosemite Falls ", which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0