Upper Yosemite Falls Trail is a 7 mile loop trail located near Yosemite National Park, California that features a waterfall and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round.
Directions from Arch Rock Entrance: Follow Highway 140 into the Yosemite Valley. Six and a half miles from the entrance station the road splits. Take the right fork, which becomes Southside Drive, to the Yosemite Lodge parking area. The trail begins from the western side of the lot behind the lodge.
California Travel and Tourism Commision, P.O. Box 1499 , Sacramento, CA, 95812-1499, Phone: 800-862-2543
Andy Miller (429)
27 days ago
N/A:
10 Completed 10 Reviews
This was the most amazing hike I've ever been on. The views were absolutely incredible. Yosemite falls is such an amazing and powerful waterfall.
You definitely have to be in good condition for this hike. It's quite strenuous.
Oscar Caldera (169)
about 1 month ago
N/A:
17 Completed 9 Reviews
Must Do! So far this is my fav hike/trail. Will definitely leave your legs sore. Cut time by running where the trail is flat. You can also save time by cutting the switch backs. However, it's always safe to just stick to the trail. Take a light if starting close to noon, the sun tucks away early. Breath taking views. The lower Yosemite falls trail is every easy, recommend rock climbing to get next to the water fall.
Jessica Hertwig (20)
3 months ago
N/A:
6 Completed 1 Reviews
This has some incredible vistas after you get above the tree line. Upper Yosemite Falls looks like a completely different waterfall, especially in winter. It trickles down through 3 or 4 pools before falling down to the foot bridge. The first hour or so is trees and an occasional glimpse of the valley. The switchbacks are killer, but its worth it.
Cécile Boucheron (22)
8 months ago
N/A:
2 Completed 3 Reviews
Strenuous, but so beautiful. Try to do it in June, when the falls are at their maximum! The view was breathtaking.
Gabriel Chavez (96)
9 months ago
N/A:
3 Completed 3 Reviews
The hike was strenuous, especially as the trail turned to switchbacks. But the scenery was breathtaking. Gardens of columbine and shooting star was a pleasant sight once near the thundering falls. I was exhausted when it was finished, though it was well worth it.
Connor Penrod (70)
10 months ago
N/A:
14 Completed 5 Reviews
Perfect hike for early in the day. Walked from the Easternmost campgrounds to the trailhead and back. If you start somewhere around five then you can easily be the majority of the way back down prior to seeing anyone. Especially nice on a couple of the staircases where if someone bumps you it's a ways down.
Best memory of this hike was lying on my stomach at upper Yosemite point, looking down from the cliff face and seeing a hawk flying a hundred or so feet below me.
AJ Ruiz (3358)
11 months ago
N/A:
62 Completed 35 Reviews
It was a difficult trail. Crowded, hot mid afternoon (although the Three Brothers did give a bit of shade), and the stone steps were a bit annoying. However, the view at the top was well worth the work to get there.
However, I think the best view of the falls would be about a half mile after Columbia Rock (where most hikers turn around). Otherwise, the falls are obscured for most the hike.
Evil-Evangeline DelBono (614)
11 months ago
N/A:
10 Completed 2 Reviews
It was tough, hot and crowded (was memorial day weekend). I thought the view of the falls were better 1/2 way up. view of the valley floor was cool.. but meh... been here, done it.. onto half dome in a couple weeks. This was a test hike for my half dome hike since everyone said THIS was harder than half dome.... we'll see!
Justin Anderson (161)
21 days ago
9 Completed 9 Reviews
A great trail for those ready for an uphill battle. The view from the top of the falls is one of the best Yosemite has to offer besides Glacier point and Halfdome itself. You can see the village below as the falls drop thousands of feet. I found it to be pretty strenuous and that was with a day pack on a 75 degree day. Luckily the top still had snow and temps felt perfect in summer clothes. I will definitely do this hike again, but hopefully make camp up top or work my way around the rim to the opposite end of the valley near Olmsted before working my way back down to the valley below.