Yosemite Falls

Bucketlist.Hiking to the top of the nearly half mile falls is at the top of my life experiences. It's truly an asskicker. So, be prepared for that. From the valley up, up and away....all the way. Steeps, switchbacks, and incredible panoramics of the valley as you ascend to the sounds of the roaring falls. The best views of the falls are on the way up, as the sketchy viewpoint up top offers only a partial view. The views of Yosemite Valley are epic, and it was particularly cool to spot routes we had hiked up on the other side of the valley, and the many switchbacks of this one when we were across. The bird whisperer in me geeked out watching a Peregrine Falcon circling and diving full speed. They make their homes in the steep granite cliffs of the valley.

There are various hike to do here to see the upper and lower falls with varying degrees of difficulty. We decided to do the Upper Yosemite Falls and the description fits the bill. Specs:Distance: 7.2 miles (11.6 km) round tripElevation: 2,700 ft (823 m) elevation gainDifficulty: StrenuousTime: 6-8 hours round tripBegin at: Camp 4 areaThe beginning is all easy peasy until you get to the switchbacks which lasts about one mile but feels longer. Luckily in April, the heat isn't too scorching, but we took every shade break we could get. There are streams you cross along the way (in April) and the water is so cool and refreshing. A little after the switchbacks you started walking downwards which is a nice break and then you get a beautiful glimpse at the bottom of the Upper Falls. It's breathtaking and if you're lucky you'll catch a rainbow there!We keep heading up which seems like an eternity but its worth it! At the Upper Falls, snow was still on the ground and the view is pretty amazing. The viewpoint to Upper Falls is a little steep, walking around the edge with a railing secured in. I would say going back is similar difficulty as coming in so take a nice long meal break when you're up there!

Falls are very strong and dynamic in end of June. I really recommend you should go this season.

2022 Jan 18: Upper Yosemite Falls Distance: 7.6 miles (12 km) round trip from the Lower Yosemite Falls trailhead Elevation at trailhead: 3,967 feet (1,347 meters) Elevation at top of Yosemite Falls: 6,526 feet (1,989 meters) Parking: Plenty of parking near Yosemite Valley Lodge It isn't a direct path. Zig-zag over rocks and large pebbles - and you will be rewarded with amazing views along the way. Tip: Go after the heaviest snowfall - so you can still see snow on the grounds. Do not go too early because the ground water turns to ice and the roads can be slippery. Wear layers that you can remove along the way. Wear comfortable shoes. Bring water and something light to eat.

Great spot if you want to see the waterfall. Be warned though, as it can get really packed. If you're coming from the village store, it's about a mile walk. So be prepared to walk for about 30 minutes or so. However, it's worth it. Once you get here you can climbs some rocks to get a better view, but be prepared to burn your hands on the rocks and possibly fall to your doom. Overall, a great and beautiful spot.

It's time for an update! I've hiked Upper Yosemite Falls a few times since my first review but we were just chatting about the time we hiked it as our warm up to Half Dome. This is a great hike. From Lower Yosemite Falls looking up, you may ask yourself how the heck am I going to get all the way up there. Let me tell you my friend, your two feet and ten toes that's how! It's really not that bad.This hike takes me about 3.5 hours and even now I'm not in tip topity shape my endurance is fairly decent. It took me exactly 2 hours up, but I feel like I've made it in 1hr45min before (I may have been playing music that day, which probably puts a little pep in my step). Started at 10:10a and was to the Falls at 12:10p exactly. I don't stop very much coming up, maybe here or there for a few seconds but really you just want to knock this little beast out in one go. It's like running, you don't want to stop or god forbid take walking breaks. Just hit the trail, and rest at the top in the water once you arrive.It takes about 90 minutes back down to the camp 4 parking lot but you'll want to account for time to spend walking around up top - snapping pics, having snackies, and sunbathing in the Falls. I've spent about an hour to and hour and half up here lately, mainly waiting for my friend to make it up. Our fitness levels are a little different and I typically make it up about an hour before him, then wait for him and hang with him at the top for awhile and I try to stick with him coming down because I'm not very good with the decline but once I get going and comfy I can go on my own.There's this short list of things I want to do preggers that I always talk about, mainly run and marathon - I'm obsessed with the idea of running a marathon pregnant and continuing to bike and hike and where I typically review a hike and it's difficulty by telling you, you can bring your grandma on this hike. I caught myself saying this is not a hike I'd do pregnant, I mean to each their own you know, whatever floats your boat but while this hike is in no way very strenuous, it is a lot of climbing and very very little actual just plain trail. I'd call it more technical than anything because you spend nearly the entire hike walking over granite rocks. You need to have a decent hiking boot on and be pretty agile to make it up and down these things swiftly. This is a hike that is in no way difficult, but I wouldn't bring your grandma up and I wouldn't do it pregnant for the risk associated with slipping and falling. I honestly don't even think I'd bring one of those baby backpack things on this hike. While I love the burner that it is, and the good little workout you get from it I find Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls to be more pretty. I'm crazy, I know but this hike is a nice hike. I feel like when you hit Yosemite if you aren't doing the all day hikes (Clouds Rest/Half Dome etc.), you might as well hit all of the smaller less difficult ones and in that case Upper Yosemite Falls is an absolute must every time!Bring the sunscreen, there are lots of exposed areas depending on the time of day. I usually bring my 2L pack and don't finish it, there are some areas of soft sand where you'll catch yourself thinking as if this isn't already difficult you want me to hike up a mountain in soft sand??? It doesn't last too long just give into it and you'll be through it before you know it.Great views of the valley floor and if you hit certain spots during that golden hour, Half Dome glows magically.

My wife and I visited Yosemite with some friends last weekend and decided to hike the Yosemite Falls Trail. We are in decent shape and hike fairly regularly. This specific trail is challenging, and hikers should be ready to spend at least 5 hours heading up, spending time at the top, and heading back down. The elevation gain is a little under 3,000 ft in about 7.2 miles so if you are not prepared physically or mentally to be hitting the stair climber for nearly 3 hours I would not recommend it. Otherwise, the views are beautiful and the cool mist from the falls at the top serves as a reward for your hard work. I'm really glad we decided on this trail for the one day we were in the valley. Hoping to be back soon.

The namesake of the park. Can you get better than that?ATMOSPHERE/ARCHITECTURE: 10/10Yosemite Falls is an amazing natural splendor to behold especially in the time where the falls are running at maximum, which is usually the late spring to the early summer. It's still crazy to me how this seasonal cycle of waterfalls occurs with the freezing and melting of ice. It is simply gorgeous. The hike itself is not far from the base camp area and it is one of the views that you can see from most areas in the park. If you've seen postcards and pictures of Yosemite, chances are pretty high that those images included Yosemite Falls, and for good reason. Really, there aren't many words that can properly describe the place and it is somewhere you just have to go and see for yourself to appreciate its magnificent beauty.VALUE: 10/10It's free. You can't beat that.PROBABILITY OF RETURN: 10/10Definitely plan to come back here someday.OVERALL: 10/10

The Yosemite falls at this time of year aren't abundantly flowing but one can capture a decent amount of water at the lower fall. A short walk from the Yosemite Valley lodge on nicely maintained trails...it's no wonder staying in the valley is pricier than not....so many trails and points of interest are a walk or shuttle stop away. Which by the way there is a Yosemite Falls shuttle stop but you do have a short walk to the falls themselves. I can imagine in spring this area is much more popular than it was on my visit. What's great is there are a few trails to choose from - they all lead to the falls. Each equally beautiful, you're amongst nature of course, very little if any gain so the walk to the falls I would say is easy. Again this time of year only a sliver of water was flowing on the lower fall...so little in fact one could brave the rocky granite and make your way right up to the trickling water.On our walk we saw a mule deer, woodpeckers and beautiful colors as fall was just about to make her stunning debut.Always carry water and a flashlight especially after 3pm, the light in the valley can go from bright to dark very fast. Even well maintained trails become pitch black and no, there are no path lights marking the paths. It's moonlight if the rise and phase are right, or starlight if it's clear...but the trees easily block that out so unless you have night vision...bring a flashlight. Can't wait to visit the Valley again. What an amazing getaway.

Been here 4 times, and I enjoy it every time - the spring waterfalls are always great to experience, but seeing the waterfall in the snow was very different - and I'd love to see it again. I especially enjoyed visiting for firefall, both in 2020 before COVID, and this year once again. Would highly recommend.