Drink plenty and drink often pace yourself rest in the shade eat salty snacks. Avoid becoming dehydrated or experiencing heat exhaustion.The upper portion of the trail is exposed, receiving no shade until late afternoon or early evening. By starting as early as possible, you will be able to hike during the cooler part of the day. Start your hike early this trail can become very hot mid-day in the summer.In winter, hiking in the colder early morning or late afternoon hours can be even more dangerous if the trail is icy. The upper portion of this trail, which receives little to no sunlight in winter, can be very icy and slippery, or buried beneath feet of snow, making traction difficult. Visiting Columbia Rock, located one mile up the trail, is a worthwhile trip at any time of year. (Check out our Yosemite Falls webcam to see a current view.) During winter, the lower portion of this trail gets direct sunlight, so hiking can be snow-free while other trails are icy. Keep in mind that by August, the water levels are low and you may only see a trickle here. In summer, conditions are hot and dry, and the loose decomposed granite along the trail can be slippery. In spring, when the waterfall is at its peak, this hike is stunning, and you may even get wet from the spray of the waterfall during a section of the hike.

The Yosemite Falls Trail is open year-round conditions vary depending on the season. To learn more about this Yosemite icon, view a 10-minute podcast episode about Yosemite Falls.

Eagle Peak, part of the Three Brothers rock formation, is the highest point on the north rim of Yosemite Valley, which gives you a different perspective of the surrounding granite landscape. Yosemite Point offers direct views of Half Dome that rival those found on the North Dome trail, gives you an opportunity to see Lost Arrow Spire up close, and provides panoramic views of many other peaks.

Use extreme caution when near the creek and remember you are directly above a waterfall.Īt the top of the Yosemite Falls Trail, you can extend your hike east to Yosemite Point (follow signs for North Dome adds 1.6 miles roundtrip (2.6 km) to this hike) or west to Eagle Peak (follow signs to El Capitan, adds 5.8 miles roundtrip (9.3 km) to this hike). Here you may be surprised by the small size of Yosemite Creek, which feeds this massive waterfall. The upper half of the trail is steep and rocky, but the arduous climb is well worth the amazing views you will be rewarded with at the top. Depending on the season, you may even feel the mist from the fall, which may be welcome respite after the tough climb. From there, it is worth the time and energy to hike another 0.5 miles (0.8 km) (some of which is actually downhill!) to get a stunning view of Upper Yosemite Fall. If you make the one-mile, 1,000 foot climb (via dozens of switchbacks) to Columbia Rock, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and Sentinel Rock. Do not stray off of the maintained path, as you will find steep drops adjacent to the trail. You will begin to climb above some trees and into exposed plateaus that offer you a glimpse of what's to come: great views of Yosemite Valley and its many iconic landforms. This trail starts near Camp 4, along the Valley Loop Trail, and immediately begins its climb, switchback after switchback, through oak woodland. One of Yosemite's oldest historic trails (built 1873 to 1877), the Yosemite Falls Trail leads to the top of North America’s tallest waterfall, which rises 2,425 feet (739 m) above the Valley floor. View of Upper Yosemite Fall and Half Dome from trail Trail Overview Columbia RockĮlevation: 1,000 ft (328 m) elevation gainīegin at: Camp 4 area (near shuttle stop #7) Top of Yosemite FallsĮlevation: 2,700 ft (823 m) elevation gain

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