The Upper Yosemite Falls hike is one of the most beautiful and most challenging hikes in Yosemite Valley. This trail indulges you in the stunning landscapes of the Yosemite Valley with views of waterfalls, Half Dome, and granite mountains.
The peak of the Upper Yosemite Falls trail places you right at the brink of the falls with a mountain fresh water pool to submerge your feet in. If you continue about a mile further up the trail, you reach Yosemite Point, with even more eye-catching views.
Upper Yosemite Falls – NEED TO KNOW
- This is a HARD and STRENUOUS hike.
- Do not attempt if you are not in peak physical shape.
- You need a minimum of 4 liters of water per person on this hike.
- I also recommend bringing a water filtration device to drink water on the trail. I used the LifeStraw -which you can find here.
- Upper Yosemite Falls is a 6.6 round-trip trail with around 3,254 feet of elevation gain.
- Reaching Yosemite Point round-trip is approximately 8.4 miles and 3,723 feet of elevation gain.
- Time will vary depending on your speed—at least 5 hours, upwards of 7+ hours.
- Start early to avoid the heavy sun exposure while ascending the trail.
- Bring sun protection (hat, sun shirt, sunscreen, sunglasses).
- Wear sturdy shoes.
- Bring trekking poles if you use them.
- Pack a first aid kit. This is the one hike in Yosemite where I sprained my ankle.
- Bring hiking essentials.
- Wear bug repellent.
- Pack food and snacks.
- No dogs.
Getting To Upper Yosemite Falls
This trail is located in the heart of Yosemite Valley. You’ll need to pay a fee to enter the park ($35/private vehicle) and follow their timed reservation system entry requirements.
Please review Yosemite’s website to determine if you need a timed reservation for entry. Also, review the website for any additional information and alerts about trail, weather, and road closures.
Once you are inside the park, the trailhead is located in the Sunnyside Camp (Camp 4).
It’s closest to the shuttle stop #7.
Parking in Yosemite Valley is challenging. There is a parking lot at the trailead. However, I recommend parking where you can and taking the shuttle to the trailhead.
I recommend downloading the trail from AllTrails before arrival at Yosemite since there is poor cell reception in the valley.
AllTrails Pages & Trail Maps
My Personal Experience
I hiked this trail when I was in good physical condition and took many breaks along the way.
My mileage tracker clocked me at walking 9.2 miles from the trailhead to Yosemite Point and back.
It took 7 hours, and I drank approximately 3.5 liters of water on the trail and more when I got to the car and had water in a cooler.
I used one hiking pole for assistance on the trail.
This trail left me completely exhausted. I also sprained my ankle on the descent.
More Yosemite Hikes
Hiking to Columbia Rock
As you ascend the trail, which is primarily switchbacks, to Upper Yosemite Falls, you’ll pass the iconic Columbia Rock approximately 2.2 miles into the trail.
At around 1,013 feet of elevation gain, Columbia Rock is a great place to take a rest, have a snack, and enjoy magnificent views of Yosemite Valley.
If you found the hike to Columbia Rock to be challenging, this may also be a good place to rest and turn around. From here on, the trail becomes more difficult due to increased sun exposure and loose gravel.
Columbia Rock To Upper Yosemite Falls
From Columbia Rock, the trail gets more intense. The switchbacks are steeper and more rocky, with more loose gravel to slide on. It feels like you are walking up a Stair Master. There is very little shade and heavy sun exposure.
As I mentioned above, I unfortunately fell on this trail and sprained my ankle towards the top of the switchbacks. Luckily, I had a first aid kit and was able to wrap my ankle, but it was still challenging to walk.
I also passed many people who were resting on the edge of the trail, struggling to walk. This is not a trail for beginners and not something you want to attempt without proper water and nutrition.
I’ll be honest, this part of the trail feels never-ending. It’s the type of hike where you keep on thinking you’re almost at the top, but you’re at least a mile away.
I must have asked a hundred hikers, “How close to the top?” because I kept on feeling like I was hitting the summit, yet I was a world away.
Again, start early (before 7 or 8 am) to avoid the brutal midday sun.
Those warnings aside, the trail is absolutely stunning with views of the waterfall and the valley.
The summit of Upper Yosemite Falls has beautiful views of Yosemite Valley. You genuinely feel like you are on top of the world.
There’s also a pool with icy, fresh mountain water where you can rest your feet, swim if you want, and relax.
If you have a water filtration system, this pool is a great place to enjoy the taste of mountain water. I don’t recommend drinking without cleaning the water first.
Upper Yosemite Falls to Yosemite Point
When you reach Upper Yosemite Falls, take time to bask in the beauty, shade, and your accomplishments.
Reaching the top of this trail is no joke – you did it!
But there’s more…
If you’re ambitious, from Upper Yosemite Falls, you can hike another 0.8 mile to Yosemite Point. This peak, at a higher elevation, has a slightly better view of Yosemite Valley and is less trafficked.
The trail to the top of Yosemite Point is less maintained and trafficked than the rest of the Upper Yosemite Falls trail. Thus, it was more complex to follow and a more slippery, technical trail. It was pretty slick on the descent.
Personally, I don’t think the extra mileage to get to Yosemite Point offered anything significantly different than the rest of the trail. I did it once, and if I were to do the trail again, I would just go to the falls and not Yosemite Point.
Final Thoughts
Upper Yosemite Falls is a strenuous trail offering beautiful views of Yosemite Valley. Start the trail early, bring plenty of water, and wear sturdy shoes for this challenging hike. This is not a trail for beginners, and you should be in good shape to hike this.