Total Distance: 7.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,700 ft (823 m)
Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Strenuous
Access Point: Camp 4
Traffic: Heavy
“…no temple made with hands can compare with Yosemite. Every rock in its wall seems to glow with life.” So said John Muir, and at every turn in Yosemite his words ring true. At every switchback, this park will continue to fill you with wonder. One of the quintessential trails that embodies this so perfectly, is Upper Yosemite Falls. It has more than earned its reputation as one of the most popular trails in the park. From traveling through forests, to views of Half Dome and the valley, to sitting on top of North America’s tallest waterfall, this trail will take your breath away.
The trail itself starts right behind Camp 4 although it quickly splits into two. One goes up towards the top of El Capitan, and the other towards Yosemite Falls. The signs are not totally clear here, but it is easy enough to keep following the correct trail on the right. After a little more walking the trail curves around to reveal the rest of the first mile of the trail. A series of steep switchbacks crisscross each other, stacking up, and melding into the trees until it disappears into the canopy above. The entire scene is absolutely gorgeous, with moss growing on boulders the size of cars, different shades of green as the leaves filter the light coming in from overhead, it is like walking in an emerald sea. The trail itself at this point has become cobbled stones that outline the direction to go, and it feels as if you have stumbled upon some ancient city reclaimed by nature. This scenery definitely helps to cope with the near mile of short and steep switchbacks up to Columbia Rock.
Elevation Gain: 2,700 ft (823 m)
Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Strenuous
Access Point: Camp 4
Traffic: Heavy
“…no temple made with hands can compare with Yosemite. Every rock in its wall seems to glow with life.” So said John Muir, and at every turn in Yosemite his words ring true. At every switchback, this park will continue to fill you with wonder. One of the quintessential trails that embodies this so perfectly, is Upper Yosemite Falls. It has more than earned its reputation as one of the most popular trails in the park. From traveling through forests, to views of Half Dome and the valley, to sitting on top of North America’s tallest waterfall, this trail will take your breath away.
The trail itself starts right behind Camp 4 although it quickly splits into two. One goes up towards the top of El Capitan, and the other towards Yosemite Falls. The signs are not totally clear here, but it is easy enough to keep following the correct trail on the right. After a little more walking the trail curves around to reveal the rest of the first mile of the trail. A series of steep switchbacks crisscross each other, stacking up, and melding into the trees until it disappears into the canopy above. The entire scene is absolutely gorgeous, with moss growing on boulders the size of cars, different shades of green as the leaves filter the light coming in from overhead, it is like walking in an emerald sea. The trail itself at this point has become cobbled stones that outline the direction to go, and it feels as if you have stumbled upon some ancient city reclaimed by nature. This scenery definitely helps to cope with the near mile of short and steep switchbacks up to Columbia Rock.
As you finish the 1,000-foot climb up, and near Columbia Rock, the woods start to thin out, the cobbled trail turns to an orange dirt and it becomes steeper than ever. Your legs will be burning by the time you get over it, but it will be well worth it because it gives you the first real breathtaking view of this trail. A panoramic vista of the entire Yosemite Valley with stunning views of Half Dome and Sentinel Rock. Green forests sprawling throughout, intersecting with the park’s famous meadows, and giant mountains springing from the Earth with snowcapped peaks. After a reasonably tough first mile, this view alone is worth the trip. I stared in awe for minutes and struggled to pull myself away. John Muir’s words resonated in my head and I astonished at how the Earth could make something so beautiful.
Once you’ve made it to Columbia Rock, it’s well worth the extra half mile to see the first view of Yosemite Falls. This part of the trail is much easier because it evens out, and at some points there is even some downhill. There is plenty of shade along this part of the trail which is nice if you’re hiking on a particularly hot day. At the end of the half mile from Columbia Rock, the trail makes a turn and as I rounded it, I was literally stopped in my tracks. The trees seem to part ways and there is your first up close view of Yosemite Falls. Suddenly the waterfall as tall as the Sear’s tower is put into perspective as 2500 gallons of water crash to the ground every second. I was able to go in early Spring, so the base of the falls was covered with snow and ice. Be aware that unless you go very early in the morning this spot will be extremely crowded, as most of the people that do this hike will stop here for photos and turn around here.
As you finish the 1,000-foot climb up, and near Columbia Rock, the woods start to thin out, the cobbled trail turns to an orange dirt and it becomes steeper than ever. Your legs will be burning by the time you get over it, but it will be well worth it because it gives you the first real breathtaking view of this trail. A panoramic vista of the entire Yosemite Valley with stunning views of Half Dome and Sentinel Rock. Green forests sprawling throughout, intersecting with the park’s famous meadows, and giant mountains springing from the Earth with snowcapped peaks. After a reasonably tough first mile, this view alone is worth the trip. I stared in awe for minutes and struggled to pull myself away. John Muir’s words resonated in my head and I astonished at how the Earth could make something so beautiful.
Once you’ve made it to Columbia Rock, it’s well worth the extra half mile to see the first view of Yosemite Falls. This part of the trail is much easier because it evens out, and at some points there is even some downhill. There is plenty of shade along this part of the trail which is nice if you’re hiking on a particularly hot day. At the end of the half mile from Columbia Rock, the trail makes a turn and as I rounded it, I was literally stopped in my tracks. The trees seem to part ways and there is your first up close view of Yosemite Falls. Suddenly the waterfall as tall as the Sear’s tower is put into perspective as 2500 gallons of water crash to the ground every second. I was able to go in early Spring, so the base of the falls was covered with snow and ice. Be aware that unless you go very early in the morning this spot will be extremely crowded, as most of the people that do this hike will stop here for photos and turn around here.
While the hike up to this point is hard, it is really after you pass this view when the trail truly becomes strenuous. There is a little bit more than a mile and half to go from here with about 1500 feet of elevation gain left. The trail becomes rougher, rockier, and steeper. If you go in the winter, or spring time be prepared for lots of snow. While I was able to make it up and down in normal hiking shoes, there were some areas that were very slippery and icy, and some strap on crampons would have definitely be ideal, if for at least preventing the awkward meeting between my derriere and the cold ground. As you keep climbing up the snow will begin to cover the ground more and more, and the forest will eventually disperse behind you. It is important to note that on the way down you should take your time because it is very easy to hurt yourself especially as the sun comes up and melts the ice, making it even slippier. However, despite the snow the trail remains stunningly beautiful. As you continue up, you can see tiny creeks and waterfalls as you, giant marbled walls of granite that dominate overhead, and the open space of the valley down below.
While the hike up to this point is hard, it is really after you pass this view when the trail truly becomes strenuous. There is a little bit more than a mile and half to go from here with about 1500 feet of elevation gain left. The trail becomes rougher, rockier, and steeper. If you go in the winter, or spring time be prepared for lots of snow. While I was able to make it up and down in normal hiking shoes, there were some areas that were very slippery and icy, and some strap on crampons would have definitely be ideal, if for at least preventing the awkward meeting between my derriere and the cold ground. As you keep climbing up the snow will begin to cover the ground more and more, and the forest will eventually disperse behind you. It is important to note that on the way down you should take your time because it is very easy to hurt yourself especially as the sun comes up and melts the ice, making it even slippier. However, despite the snow the trail remains stunningly beautiful. As you continue up, you can see tiny creeks and waterfalls as you, giant marbled walls of granite that dominate overhead, and the open space of the valley down below.
Finally, as you push your way up through these switchbacks, you’ll find yourself once again in a small forest, and you know that the top of Yosemite Falls is right around the corner. You cross a plateau giving spectacular panoramic views unlike any other in the park. Being able to see over the tops of Yosemite Valley’s Ridge and seeing the forests and fields down below. It is a marvel to behold, and that alone would be worth the climb. The plateau comes to an end, and a sign pointing down will lead you down a narrow staircase with an open face on one side. It is finally at this point that you see the trail’s namesake, a wide rushing flow of water thundering by. You head down to a balcony made out of the mountain and you can see the water turn downwards as it makes its first decent to the rocks below. The view of the valley from this balcony is a true sight to behold. Although, in my opinion, not the best one you’ll see on this hike, but that is only because of the stiff competition you’ll encounter on the way up. I was extremely lucky to have gotten up early enough to be the first person up at the falls, and I was able to take nature’s miracle silently for abut 15 minutes before other visitors started to share the view with me. It was a magical 15 minutes that I will hold on to for the rest of my life.
Until we come out with our Upper Falls design, check out our Half Dome and El Capitan patches and stickers.
