WaterfallNear Me

Upper Yosemite Fall

Mariposa County, California

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
1,444 ft (440 m)
Location
Mariposa County, California
Access status
Source-reviewed route and parking
The walk
7.2 miles round trip to the top
Ground & access
Strenuous, steep rocky switchbacks with exposed drop-offs and slippery loose granite.
Upper Yosemite Fall, CA.
Upper Yosemite Fall, CA.
Photo creditPhoto: chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Start near Camp 4 and climb the maintained switchbacks past Columbia Rock to the upper falls. The full route gains 2,700 feet. Do not confuse the two-mile Columbia Rock return hike with a waterfall viewpoint: NPS says the falls view is another half mile beyond that rock.

Plan your visit

Upper Yosemite Fall via Yosemite Falls Trail

7.2 miles is the return hike to the top, not to Columbia Rock or the earlier falls view.

Strenuous, steep rocky switchbacks with exposed drop-offs and slippery loose granite.

Where to start

Use Yosemite Falls parking across the street from and beyond the Camp 4 entrance. Camp 4 parking is for campers only. Valleywide Shuttle stop 7 also serves the trailhead area.

Timing & water

Year-round trail; upper sections can be icy or snow-covered in winter. Falls often diminish substantially by August.

Before you go

Unknown: current fees or reservation requirements were not established in the reviewed source.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore California

Waterfall location

Mariposa County, California.

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