Distance: 7.2 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 2700 ft
Duration: 6-8 hours
Difficulty: Hard
Yosemite Falls trail is a beautiful hike that starts from the Valley floor and goes up to the tallest North American waterfall. You will literally be above the waterfall when hiking to the top, and will be able to see the where the waterfall begins to drop. It is a stunning trail, and I highly recommend doing this hike when visiting Yosemite National Park, as you will be rewarded with the most spectacular views!
The following topics will help you plan for this hike:
Hike Difficulty
Time: Yosemite Upper Falls trail is rated hard, and it is recommended that you reserve 6-8 hours for this hike. Make sure that you give yourself enough time to complete the hike so that you don’t have to do any walking in the dark. Especially because this hike does have additional trails that you can go to that can add up a few more hours, so be mindful of possibly starting even earlier.
The other reason you should allocate more time to this hike is that when you reach the top you will be met with an amazing view that you will want to take in, get pictures of, and enjoy a nice lunch break.
Trail Conditions: The trail itself is well maintained so you don’t have to worry about getting lost. The trail’s terrain can be very hard on your legs, because it can be very steep in most areas and has a lot of uneven terrain. Most of the terrain is very rocky and some areas can be very slippery.
In parts of the trail you will be walking over some low water, but there are rocks that create a path that will keep you from getting your feet wet. At the top of the trail, and portions of the hike are exposed to the sun so be mindful of not overworking yourself to the point of overheating.
Stay Positive: The hike can feel long and a bit discouraging for the first mile because of how steep it is, and because Yosemite Falls is not visible for that portion. Remember to stay positive, and just take enough breaks in between to not stress out your body. The waterfall will be visible around 1.5 miles in and you will have a really spectacular up close view of the entire waterfall.
Best Time to Hike Yosemite Falls
The hike is open year round, but the best time to hike this trail is in the Spring! During the Spring, the waterfall is absolutely stunning, with it being at its best condition. The waterfall is so heavy, that when you’re hiking there are portions of the trails where you will feel the mist from the waterfall.
What you should take on the Hike
First, be mindful that this is a difficult hike so you don’t want to carry more than what you need. A small backpack should be just fine for this hike, really the most important thing you want to have with you is Water! There are no water stations throughout the trail so it is recommended that you take around 3 liter with you.
Other miscellaneous items you should consider bringing are the following:
- Sunscreen
- Snacks: Bring food with you! It is a tiring hike, and there is no better feeling than being able to enjoy some snacks with a view not to mention you don’t want to be hungry.
- Trekking Poles: Trekking Poles are completely optional, but it is nice to have extra support on the steep areas.
What you should wear on the Hike
What you wear depends a lot on the weather that day, so make sure to check the weather in advance and see how you can best prepare for it. The following wardrobe tips pertain more to Hiking in the Spring or Summer:
- Comfortable hiking pants or shorts: The trail does not have a lot of brush or any tall plants that you have to walk through so shorts are definitely recommended, but if you do run colder or it is particularly cool that day then hiking pants would be preferred.
- Quick Drying Shirts: During the hike, you will get some of the mist of the waterfall so you want to wear something you’re okay getting wet, and that will dry quickly.
- Hiking shoes: This trail is not to be underestimated. For the most support, wear hiking boots. The boots will help support your ankles and be more comfortable than other shoes. Especially in the spring when your feet can get wet so waterproof hiking boots are a good idea.
- Rain Jacket/Poncho: Just in case there is rain on the forecast or you don’t want to get wet from the mist of the waterfall, bring a rain jacket or poncho to keep yourself dry.
Parking
The Yosemite Falls trailhead is located in the Valley Loop Trail near Camp 4. The Camp 4 parking area is for campers only, so make sure to park at the Yosemite Falls parking area that is across the street from the Camp 4 area.
Restrooms
There are no restrooms on the trail, so make sure to go to the restroom before you start the hike. There are some located at Camp 4 where the trail starts, but you will have no shortage of restroom options in Yosemite National Park.
If you are a girl, I recommend bringing a urinating funnel to facilitate having to go to the restroom.
Is the Hike Worth It?
Most Definitely! The falls are so stunning, and the hike offers a view of the waterfall that you can’t get from the road. You get to see a full picture of it up close, and even the view from the top where you can see where the waterfall starts. It is not an easy hike, but it is so worth it.
Additional Resources
The following 2 links are additional resources that can help you find answers regarding this hike.
Five Important Takeaways
- Bring Water and Snacks with you!
- Go on this hike in the Spring.
- Give yourself more enough time to complete the hike with time to spare.
- Wear comfortable shoes, preferably Hiking Boots.
- Stay positive and Have fun!