Alder Creek Falls
Mariposa County, California
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Mariposa County, California
- Access status
- Partial: parking at the trailheads is not described by NPS
- The walk
- 12 miles round trip from the Alder Creek Trailhead; 7.4 miles round trip from the Mosquito Creek Trailhead (NPS)
- Ground & access
- Very challenging, about 2,500 feet of climbing on the 12 mile route, 7 to 9 hours (NPS). Little shade in places and few visitors.
NPS lists the Alder Creek hike in Wawona as a very challenging uphill route through open pine forest to an infrequently visited 100 foot cascade. Start at the Alder Creek Trailhead on Chilnualna Falls Road for the full 12 mile round trip, or begin at the Mosquito Creek Trailhead on Wawona Road for the shorter 7.4 mile round trip.
Plan your visit
Alder Creek Trail from the Alder Creek Trailhead on Chilnualna Falls Road, or the shorter start at Mosquito Creek on Wawona Road
Both distances are NPS figures for the round trip to the Alder Creek cascade. The two start points give different lengths.
Very challenging, about 2,500 feet of climbing on the 12 mile route, 7 to 9 hours (NPS). Little shade in places and few visitors.
Where to start
The NPS page names the two trailheads but does not describe parking space size; the Mosquito Creek roadside start is reported by others to have very little room.
Timing & water
The NPS page lists the hike without a season; the cascade depends on runoff.
Before you go
Yosemite entrance fees and any current reservation rules were not checked on this page.
Visitor informationMore waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
Chilnualna FallOfficial NPS trail and trailheadMariposa County, CA3.0 miSE
Chilnualna Creek CascadesPartial guide: exact cascade position on the route not confirmedMariposa County, CA3.2 miSE- Lower Chilnualna FallsOfficial NPS trailhead; short steep walkMariposa County, CA3.2 miSE
- Chinquapin FallsMariposa County, CA7.5 miNW
Silver Strand FallsPartial guide: viewpoint from a travel company guide, not confirmed by NPS574 ft (175 m) · Mariposa County, CA7.9 miN
Bridalveil FallSource-reviewed route and parking617 ft (188 m) · Mariposa County, CA8.7 miN- Foresta FallsVisitor-documented walk on old Foresta Road; small pull-offMariposa County, CA8.9 miNW
- Wildcat FallsPublished roadside turnout and short path documented; park entrance fee applies623 ft (190 m) · Mariposa County, CA9.7 miN
- The CascadesRoadside viewing area documented; park entrance fee appliesMariposa County, CA9.8 miN