Discover this 10.6-km 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.
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Not for the faint of heart! We started around 7:45am and made it down around 2/2:30 after a nice break at the top. Wouldn't recommend starting any later than 8/8:30 as there was no shade on the back third half of the trail! Bring water, don't be the people we saw in flip flops with a baby bottle of water
This hike is intense, but once you reach the top of the waterfall, it is 100% worth it. You shouldn't underestimate the altitude, and I wouldn't recommend a beginner to do the full hike. The nice thing about this route, however, is that you can stop halfway at the waterfall and decide to go back. Don't forget to bring enough water and food and do the hike with walking shoes. A tip: take mosquito spray with you, because half of the path goes through a forest. We didn't have one and were often bitten by mosquitoes.
Started at 8 am, still quite a bit of parking left at camp 4/start of Yosemite falls trail. Lots of mosquitoes. Going up was in lots of shade, but coming down was in the sun about half the time. Wear sunscreen and good shoes. Hiked to Oh My Gosh point then came back down. Brought 2 L of water and drank it all, didn’t have enough for the full trail.
We hiked the full trail and were exhausted. If we were to do it again, we would turn around after having a good look of the upper fall(~2.5 miles out). Yes the view at the top is great, but it’s similar to the view at Columbia Rock and the following 1-1.5 miles. I don’t think the view at the top is worth the torture of the last mile of steep climbing.
Tough but rewarding hike. If you were planning to turn at Columbia Rock, I would think about resting then pushing a little further to Oh My Gosh Point for a spectacular view of the falls. Definitely heed the warnings about bringing enough water. I overheard a lot of thirsty hiker regrets on the way down. I finished the last of my 3 liters as I exited the trail.
This is a strenuous hike. This is not one to take grandma and the kiddos on, unless of course your grandma is double tough. This is also not one to just casually decide to try. Start early, plan ahead. And, I shouldn’t have to say it, but don’t forget to bring plenty of water, even when it’s not hot. A 350ml plastic bottle will not be enough. But if you plan ahead, carry more water than you think you’ll need, wear good shoes or hiking boots, bring hiking poles if you have them, and if you know your own limitations, this is a pretty good way to spend a day, with stunning views down to and across the Valley on top. (You can’t actually see the falls from the overlook.)
Did upper and lower. Started at upper falls shuttle station and ended at lower falls. Consistently uphill hike not crazy just be prepared for your quads to burn. The way up is easier than the way down in my opinion. Views at the top were incredibly mid. Best view was at Columbia Rock for sure which is about a mile into the trail if you’re looking for something shorter. All in all I loved doing this in the spring time because the snowmelt makes the falls so powerful.
We started around 9 am and it took about 6 hours with breaks. I brought 2 liters of water and drank it all, but if you go later the day you may need more. I would recommend packing lunch to eat on the way there. Hiking poles were helpful, I also wore knee sleeves which saved my knees on the way down. The best views of the waterfall were on the way up, but at the top of the trail you get to see the whole valley from a high point.
Steady and steep elevation gain pretty much the whole way. Look out for the “Oh my gosh” viewpoint around the first mile or so. I think it’s the best view of the trail. I gave it 3 stars because I don’t think the effort is worth the end at all. I short hike to the viewpoint I mentioned earlier is the best effort/reward ration by FAR.
Very rocky, and very slick on some smooth rock. The trip down took about the same time as the t rip up. It wasn't 6 miles round trip. I got 4.4 to the top. 8.7 total. Views are epic, saw a baby bear in a tree. Not an easy hike terrain is rugged. It's like going up very uneven rough steps for 4.5 miles.
We read the reviews last night and almost got psyched out of doing the full thing. But it’s not as bad as you think. We went very slow and took lots of breaks and made it in 3.5 hours. We also started around 8am and got up there at 11:30am. We originally agreed to stop at “oh my gosh” point/lower gate which is 1.5 miles up the trail, but we knew we could go further. Just go slow and take your time. Don’t be in a rush to go up or down! Going down can be slippery because of the gravel and the mist makes the trail wet especially after noon when wind picks up. The view is completely worth all of the hard work. If you are able to, start early and take a day to do this hike.
Easily the toughest hike I have ever done, between the jagged, rocky path and the treacherously slippery rocks. Some sections are chilly from the waterfall mist, and other sections are punishingly hot. That is even without bringing the elevation into the equation. I started feeling lightheaded after climbing about 1,000 feet, and it would get better with a little rest before returning a few steps later. Take breaks when you need them. Slow and steady will finish. We complete 10- to 14-mile hikes weekly, and this still took us 6 hours round-trip to complete. Bring lots of water and use hiking sticks. Do not start after 12 noon. The hot sections will be too hot, and it might be dark by the time you return. Views at the top make it all worth it. Take time to savor it.
Unfortunately, my trail was paused on the way up, so the tracking is not accurate. My Garmin clocked the entire trail at 7.85 miles and 5 hours 31 minutes. It was a strenuous trail but very rewarding! A little before halfway there the trail levels off before climbing up again. You get misted by the waterfall as you pass the bottom, but if you go on a sunny day, you dry out pretty quickly. It is windy at the top and the trail takes a bit of a sketchy route down to the overlook. Just take your time & careful. It’s a good one!
Be prepared for an all vertical hike to the top. Easily the most difficult hike I’ve ever done but the rewards were worth it. Spectacular views of the valley all along the trail with the very best being at the top. It’s best to start this trail the earliest you can. I started around 11am and got back down around 5:30pm. Bring LOTS of water and lunch. Hiking sticks are a necessity if you don’t want to get jello knees. Overall, best hike I’ve done so far and I highly recommend it if you’re up to the challenge.
Started at 6am and were grateful, as the trail gets hot and crowded later. Hard climbing all the way up and very steep going down. Calves and knees were singing at the end. The trail is spectacular and well worth it. You’re literally on top of the world with views of the entire valley and snow peaks. Would do again. Good hiking boots, poles, bug spray if going early. Used 1.5 liters of water.
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What is the expected weather this week for Upper Yosemite Falls Trail?
- Thu 30 May - 21 degrees/mostly sunny
- Fri 31 May - 22 degrees/sunny
- Sat 1 June - 20 degrees/sunny
- Sun 2 June - 21 degrees/partly cloudy
- Mon 3 June - 21 degrees/partly cloudy
