One of Yosemite's famous spots and iconic scenery is Yosemite Falls! !
People come from overseas as well as domestically to see the stunning waterfall. The power of the waterfalls, especially during the snow melting season, is truly impressive in America! That
's how impressive it is.
Yosemite National Park is a natural paradise in California, with everything from waterfalls, rocky mountains, forests and green meadow grasslands.
It is perfect for hikers who enjoy backpacking and camping, and there are many hiking trails, including not only within the park but also the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, so you can't get through it for a lifetime, which is another attraction. It's a truly irresistible place for outdoor enthusiasts.
Yosemite Falls, boasting the largest drop in North America (739m), consists of three steps: the Upper Fall (436m), Lower Fall (97m), and the Cascade (206m), which are all called Yosemite Falls.
It is not well known, but the waterfall water is extremely impressive from April to June, early spring in Yosemite. In August and September, midsummer, the snow that had accumulated in the mountain ranges completely melts, and the water flows down, and the water flows down may disappear.
The most impressive season is from April to early spring, when the snow suddenly melts and the amount of water flows. The amount of snow fell during that winter was also quite influenced, and in years when there were a lot of snow, the amount of water in the waterfall continued to flow for a long time, and the snowfall was heavy during the winter of 2022 to 2023, so water flowed at Yosemite Falls in August in 2023.
We haven't yet introduced a hiking route that can reach the top of the famous Yosemite Falls (when viewed from below), so this time we'll introduce you to the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail. This is a very popular high-kinning route.
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Trail information for Upper Yosemite Falls Trail
Access (car to the trailhead)
Trailhead Address: Yosemite Falls Trailhead or Yosemite Falls Trail, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389 If you enter it on the United States and Google Maps, you will see it. (Near the Yosemite Valley Lodge. The parking lot at Camp 4 on the other side of the road is the closest parking lot to the trailhead.)
*As the signal conditions are poor, we recommend downloading the map in advance.
What to bring
As before, make sure to prepare the same equipment as a typical American hike.
- Drinks (more in the summer)
- Cold weather clothing that can adjust the temperature (wind-proof shells are useful)
- hat
- sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Snacks and more for eating while hiking
- If you have a regular medicine, first aid such as medicine or band-aid
- Other things you prefer with your regular hiking equipment
Trail data
- For intermediate students
- Season: Best seasons from April to October (This photo is from May.)
- Round-trip distance: Approx. 10.56km (6.6 mi)
- Elevation difference from the trailhead: 895m
- Trailhead elevation: 1,219m
- Yosemite Point Elevation: 2,114 m (6,936 ft)
- Course time: Average 5.5 to 7 hours
Note: Reservations may be required to enter the school for certain dates and times. When entering the nursery, be sure to check the latest information on the site before visiting.
For more information, click here → https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/reservations.htm
The hike started (map 1 above) arrived at the parking lot around 10:30am.
The trailhead in Yosemite Falls starts at a campsite called Camp 4.
There was a parking lot available. Many climbers use this parking lot, so they are typical of America, and you can see serious climbers everywhere climbing El Capitan, known as the largest monolith in the world.
It's crowded during summer vacation, so if the parking lot for Camp 4 is full, it's a good idea to find a space in the parking lot near Yosemite Valley Lodge, which is nearby. The bathrooms are also located in and around the same building as the lobby of Yosemite Valley Lodge.
First, go from the parking lot along the sign to the trailhead.
Hiking departure from the trailhead (trailhead)
This sign is the trailhead sign.
First, the zigzag road begins. It's May, but the temperature is already hot and you need to stay hydrated frequently. The temperature was around 23 degrees.
At first, you will be walking through a place with lots of trees, so there is shade.
As the trail has many stone stairs and many scaffolding areas, we recommend that you always wear trekking shoes.
You can see the scenery seen through the gaps between the trees and gradually climb. And there are also more beautiful viewpoints.
The wonderful thing about this trail is that many spectacular views are truly incredible!
About 45 minutes on foot from the starting point is an observation deck called Columbia Rock, where we took a break here.
You can see the Yosemite Valley at a panoramic view. From here you can see the half dome clearly.
Take a short break and move on.
Then suddenly, a waterfall appeared in front of me. It's a huge surprise as it suddenly appears.
This is another spectacular view! As you get closer to the waterfall, you can feel the splashing water, making it a truly negative ion. The sound is also amazing.
There is no shade in this area anymore, and on hot days the droplets here are pleasant.
If you continue further, you will reach the viewpoint of Lower Falls about an hour after the start (Map 2). Approximately 2.5km from the start, you can see the incredibly impressive waterfall on the right.
This spot, where you can see the waterfall from the side, is something you can only see until you walk along this trail, so I'm really glad that you came! I think you'll feel that way. It's also possible to turn around here according to the person's level.
Let's go further. The steep slope continues, but take a break and take a leisurely ride.
And beyond this you will see the Yosemite Falls Overview and Yosemite Point fork. Yosemite Overview is closer, but if you're physically fit, I recommend you visit Yosemite Point and enjoy both scenery.
The overview gives you a spectacular view of the volleyball.
Even further ahead, Yosemite Point is a spot where you can look into Yosemite Falls from above.
Once you've come this far, be sure to stretch your legs and head to Yosemite Point!
First, go to Yosemite Falls Overview (2029m)
You will see a guide to the fork on the right of the overview and on the left of Yosemite Point. There is a small stream flowing to the right, so cross the stream and follow the sign to follow the direction of Yosemite Falls Overview.
Then, a sign will appear where you move on. This is the first viewpoint for the goal. It's a brief break with a spectacular view. Lunch is really good here.
The weather is also wonderful and the view is truly spectacular.
As is typical of America, even if the cliffs start right in front of them, there are almost no handrails, so please be careful when taking photos at your own risk. lol
After taking a break at Yosemite Falls Overview, head to the next Yosemite Point.
This will be today's main goal.
Follow the sign and return to the fork and then head towards Yosemite Point.
The climb continues down the stone staircase, and as you continue further you will hear the flow of the river and the bridge will appear (Map 3).
This is a bridge over Upper Yosemite Falls.
Looking at the waterfall from below, you can't imagine this scenery, but in fact there is a river like this above the waterfall, where the snow melts and falls into a waterfall. It's a refreshing and very pleasant place.
I finished around 1.6 km from here. A little more.
As I continued across the bridge, there was still some snow.
The open scenery appears and the last sprint comes out. Yosemite Point (Map 4).
This one is definitely a spectacular view.
However, there are other highlights here.
The reason for this place's popularity is that it doesn't end with just a spectacular view.
The key here is that you can overlook the waterfall from above.
There is a stone stair trail that descends below, between the rocks in the back left of the point.
It's quite steep and in some areas it's too narrow to see whether a person can pass by or not, so I'll have to go down the stairs to get along with someone from below.
I grabbed the railing too thin that didn't seem to fit, and went down further.
It's really scary because it's just next to it, as it's a cliff and a waterfall.
If you're afraid of heights, this place is not possible. lol
Finally, we arrived at the area directly above the waterfall. As it is directly above the waterfall when viewed from below, the waterfall originally flows from above, but it is a place where you can look into Yosemite Point, the waterfall, which is the finish line for today.
Rather than being a spectacular view, it is also a place where you can feel terrifying in the power and sound of the incredible waterfall, and the reality that if you were actually there and there were no handrails, you would be swayed. I don't usually worry about high places, but here I was timid and looked at the waterfall below. My hips were completely back.
This feeling is unique to America, and I think it's great that there are many places where you can feel this kind of thrilling place through hiking.
I don't think this is the real joy of hiking Yosemite Falls. On my way back, I went far the way I came. We left around 10am and arrived at the parking lot at 5pm. It was a 6.5 hour hiking trail.
On the way back, there was a rainbow and other items hanging near the waterfall, so it's not very clear in the photos, but it was very beautiful.
It's a one-day hike and is easily accessible from the volleyball area, so this course is definitely recommended for those who like hiking (mountain climbing). This is a truly spectacular view!
Kato Sayaka
