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Upper Yosemite Falls Trail, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley, California, United States | AllTrails.com

Upper Yosemite Falls Trail

Hard4.8(14,599)
Yosemite National Park
Length6.6 miElevation gain3,254 ftRoute typeOut & back

Discover this 6.6-mile out-and-back trail near Yosemite Valley, California. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 21 min to complete. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are April through October. You'll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren't allowed on this trail.

CampingHikingBackpackingNo dogsForestViewsWaterfallWildflowersWildlifeFeeRocky
• General fee: Yosemite National Park charges a fee to enter. The fee varies depending on the vehicle used to enter the park (car, motorcycle, bike, on foot, or on horseback). For more information, please visit https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/fees.htm • Seasonal road closure: Roads within and around Yosemite are subject to snow closures and/or chain requirements. For more information, please visit https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wroads.htm Enjoy the incredible views looking down from the top of Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in the continental US. Yosemite Falls, dropping 2,425 feet to the bottom of the valley from the top, is one of the most visited places in Yosemite National Park. The falls consist of three sections: upper falls, middle cascade, and lower falls. While most people only make the short trip to visit lower falls, upper falls is definitely worthy of visiting due to its panoramic views of Yosemite Valley and the opportunity to see this amazing waterfall up close. The Yosemite Falls Trail is about 4 miles one way, gaining approximately 3,000 feet in elevation over the course of the climb. You’ll start near the famous Camp 4 and begin ascending along switchbacks through the trees. Take a look at the rocky cliffs of Eagle Peak to your left. This is a popular rock climbing wall and is also inhabited by eagles. At the Lower Gate, you’ll have a great photo op of the falls with views of Half Dome in the background. Once you get to the top of the valley you can go to Yosemite Fall Overlook, a small platform near the mouth of Upper Yosemite Falls, to enjoy the thrilling views of looking down from above. The views of the valley from here are truly incredible. Those with the energy remaining can choose to go to Yosemite Point for some great views of North Dome and the rest of the valley. If you only do one hike in Yosemite, then the trip to Upper Yosemite Falls is a great option. Although challenging, you’ll be rewarded with amazing views of the valley, Half Dome, and Sentinel Dome while climbing alongside one of the world’s tallest waterfalls. The trail is generally open for the whole year but can be difficult to hike in winter due to snow, especially beyond Columbia Rock. --- This is one of Yosemite's many backpacking routes. While some can be done as a day hike, a permit is required if you plan on doing a multi-day trip. Permits are able to be reserved up to 24 weeks in advance and up until 4 days beforehand. Permits and more information can be found here: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm Sixty percent of reservations are available 24 weeks in advance; the remaining 40 percent are available two weeks in advance and up to four days before your hike. There is a fee for each confirmed reservation per person. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. If you are granted a permit, the fee will need to be paid within 48 hours of your email confirmation. Permits will need to be picked up in the park at one of the following permit stations: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/permitstations.htm Bear boxes are required to store all food while on overnight trips. Backpackers have the ability to spend a night prior to departure or night of return at the Backpackers Campground. There are 5 Backpackers Campground available that can be found here: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/bpcamp.htm
Upper Yosemite Falls Trail map
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14599 reviews
November 25, 2024Hiking
Great views

Great views today! But I believe that if the weather is nice, it must be stunning. Maybe next time.

November 24, 2024Hiking
Great conditionsGreat views

yosemite hike to a waterfall lookout damn phone died towards the end

November 21, 2024Hiking
Not crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

Great hike with amazing views despite the weaker falls. This is a very hard hike. Ton of rocks and steep incline. Very safe and not too scary until the rail section at the summit. Plan to be out for atleast 6-8 hours. Pack plenty of water. I brought 3 liters and still ran out before getting back.

November 20, 2024Running

In a word, hard!

November 20, 2024Backpacking
Not crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

Great trail. Easy to travel on path. Start out bundled and pulled layers off as you ascended. Got to top - put all back on. View is spectacular. It is a hard hike going uphill. Very few areas of relief. However, well worth it. Bring lots of water. I only brought 5 bottles and it wasn’t enough. Wear good hiking shoes.

Difficulty: Hard
November 19, 2024Hiking
Not crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

Everything everyone else has said recently was true. The hike down was especially hard on the knees.

Difficulty: Strenuous
November 17, 2024Hiking
Great views

Great views but strenuous. If you’re thinking about hiking poles or sticks probably a good ideas b/c of all the rocky steps.

November 17, 2024Hiking
Easy to parkGreat conditionsGreat views

Uphill is hard but downhill is pretty easy. Takes about 3-3.5 hours to go up and 2 to 2.5 hours go down. Would recommend doing it in August September when the waterfall is heavier

Parking: Free, Large lot
November 16, 2024Hiking
Not crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

Cool hike.

November 16, 2024Hiking
Easy to parkGreat views

hard but worth it. don’t underestimate the descent, the ice at the top part makes it hard. snowy conditions when we got to the top (started at 8) but the snow wasn’t deep

November 13, 2024Hiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedGreat views

Great trail with stunning views. There’s a bit of snow at the top so take warm layers. Also make sure to check the conditions of the pass before driving in as some are closed / with chains only! Would recommend.

Parking: Entry fee, Large lot
November 12, 2024
Easy to parkGreat conditionsGreat views

We made the mistake of thinking this was a 3 mile hike somehow so, on top of being physically unprepared, we were also mentally unprepared to make this climb. We also haven't hiked in over a year; mediocre hiking capabilities. It was like spending 4hrs on a stairmaster. Nothing but switchbacks the entire time, but a lot of good shaded areas to break down into tears before continuing the climb. Wife almost quit a few times, we ran out of water (prepped for half the hike), and ran out of daylight. Although I don't recommend doing it, the hike down at night gave us some pretty cool views and the temperature couldn't have been better. I highly recommend starting this hike early in the morning, packing extra water and a snack for energy, and a headlamp if you start after 12pm (noon, midday). Lots of irregular stairs and smooth rocks covered in sand, both recipes for slips and falls. Enjoyed a Firefall Red Ale at the top that was still decently cold. We both had an amazing sense of accomplishment after reaching the top, still deciding if it was worth the physical pain 3 days later. My knees and calves will be recovering for a week or two.

November 11, 2024Hiking
Not crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

Beautiful fall colors! Almost all uphill but very doable . Took us about 5:45 hiking time . And snow flurries at the top! Lots of rocks to navigate throughout. I had one fall thanks to a loose rock, and several slips, but I would definitely do it again.

Conditions: No bugs, Dry ground
November 10, 2024Hiking
Great conditionsGreat views

A great trail! Straight up for 4 miles and is like going up stairs. Must get to the top to see the pools and lookout. Save enough time to make it down before dark (about 3 hrs).

November 7, 2024Hiking
Not crowdedGreat views

One of the best trails in the park

November 4, 2024Hiking
Not crowdedGreat views

A trip…

November 2, 2024Hiking

Watch logged the hike ~7.6 miles. A lot of stairs.

November 2, 2024Hiking

Hard.

October 31, 2024

This hike is a bear! Left floor at 9 temperature was 95°. If it’s hot, bring micro fiber towels. Even though it was broiling ( because the hike is exposed to sun) there are many rivulets of cold water along the hike. The micro fiber towels worked wonders on the head and neck. The reward of lying in the cold river at the top was awesome. If you complete this hike, you’ve ‘accomplished something! Total time with 40 mins top time was 7:15. My age was 64.

October 28, 2024Hiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedGreat views

The first mistake we did was believing it’s a 5hrs hike :o We finished the entire hike in 7 hours, 17 minutes and 55 seconds.. we are ordinary people who doesn’t run or hop down the steep rocks :o My husband and I probably slipped hundreds of times the whole hike.. I highly suggest hiking pole for this one, also a good hiking shoes is recommended with good traction as the rocky steep stairs could be very slippery (no matter how careful you are). Also, don’t believe fellow hikers telling you that you’re almost there or that going down is easier, it’s not :o A mile when you’re hiking takes a long time especially if you wanted to reach the top of where the waterfall starts to fall :o Please bring flashlight with you or headlamp, because you never know when it’s handy especially if you also got tricked by AllTrail that it’s a 5hrs hike so you decided to ascend before noon time :o If you made up your mind and really wanted to hike this trail, please start early. Hiking down when it’s dark is yosemite falls telling you “happy halloween”, it’s creepy and scary. It’s definitely worth the hike though. Imagine reaching the top of a big azz slab of a rock!! Lastly, enjoy and be very very careful each step on this trail. :O

October 26, 2024Hiking
Easy to parkGreat views

Make sure you come downhill before getting dark! Really important note guys!

Difficulty: Hard
October 26, 2024Running
Great conditions

Phone died time plus an hour

Parking: Free, Small lot
October 26, 2024Hiking
Great views

Amazing views. Turned around roughly halfway to the top, worked great.

October 25, 2024Hiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

Hard, lots of evelation

Difficulty: Hard
October 24, 2024Hiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

Great trail. Little slippery with gravel over stone steps. Hiking sticks help. The payoff is worth the hike.

Conditions: Bugs
October 24, 2024Hiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

Such an accomplishment to make it to the top! The steps and incline were no joke, and for someone a little nervous around heights (me!), the views were a little uncomfortable at times while also being spectacular. We parked easily and started around 8am, very few people on the trail and at the top, but passed a lot of people around 1pm and 2pm when we’re were descending. Would recommend! Get ready for wobbly ankles and knees by the end of it!

Difficulty: Hard
October 23, 2024Hiking
Easy to parkGreat conditionsGreat views

Tough hike but worth it for the views at the top. Barely any water in the waterfall right now, but still a beautiful hike. Switchbacks were killer, but well maintained.

October 22, 2024Hiking
Not crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

If going all the way to the top get ready for some technical switchbacks.

Parking: Entry fee, Free, Large lot
October 22, 2024Hiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

Trail is easy to follow, there are a few patches of sandy steps but overall not bad. The weather was warmer than expected but a beautiful day.

Difficulty: Hard
October 20, 2024
Great views

All of Yosemite is gorgeous of course. This is a great trail for moderate hikers. The views from the top are breathtaking.

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Frequently asked questions about Upper Yosemite Falls Trail

What are some tips to share about Upper Yosemite Falls Trail?

Bring a lot of water and be careful of loose gravel on the the trail.

How to get to Upper Yosemite Falls Trail?

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.

What is the expected weather this week for Upper Yosemite Falls Trail?

Expected weather for Upper Yosemite Falls Trail for the next 5 days is:
  • Tue, November 26 - 46 degrees/rain
  • Wed, November 27 - 50 degrees/partly cloudy
  • Thu, November 28 - 55 degrees/mostly sunny
  • Fri, November 29 - 57 degrees/partly cloudy
  • Sat, November 30 - 59 degrees/mostly sunny