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Short Easy Spectacular Mist Eating Opportunity! by desertgirl This short, easy walk with spectacular views of Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls. Begin at the Lower Yosemite Fall Trailhead (Shuttle stop #6) - a short paved trail of 0.25 miles (Wheel-Chair Accessible) goes across the bridge over Yosemite Creek and winds through fir & pine forest and eventually will take you to the viewing platform at the base of Lower Yosemite falls where the frothy white raging waters of the falls crashes on many large granite boulders. Its windy here and the fine mist rises from the buolders and soaks the area. The views are awesome looking directly up at the lower falls & being treated to a sensory experience of the power of water! You will get soaked in mist especially in spring & early summer when the falls are running full force. The rocks around the base of the falls are wet and slippery: going beyond the end of the trail is not encouraged. Also note the waterfalls is often dry from late July or August through October. Yosemite falls is the tallest waterfalls in North America - dropping 2425 feet in 3 tiers (Upper Yosemite Fall: 1,430 feet, Middle Cascades:675 feet, & Lower Yosemite Fall:320 feet) set against some towering granite cliffs. You will be able to see just the Lower Falls from the base. Enjoy ponderosa pine/incense cedar framed views of both the upper & lower falls as you make your way to the falls along the trail. These views are just as remarkable as that of the lower falls up close. You can return the way you came for a short 0.5 mile trip or continue on across the bridge at the base of the falls along a shaded path that goes along & across the branches of the creek & back to the stop for a 1.1 mile long loop. Along this loop is a view point (Falls View) that offers a view of both Upper & Lower falls & there is a memorial bench for some contemplative reflection! This trail is a 1.5 mile RT from the visitor center & about 1.3 miles from Yosemite Lodge at the Falls ( longer depending on where you have your room at). You can walk all the way to Mirror Lake. You cannot reach the Upper Yosemite Falls from here. The trail to Upper Yosemite Falls which starts 0.6 miles west along the road at Camp 4. This is a streneous 3.6 mile hike with 2600ft elevation gain. Photo Tips: The fall is in shade in the morning & its about 9:30 - 10:00 before the waterfall itself is lit up. Also this makes for some nice nighttime images! Check out the Official Route and Triplogs. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
One-Way Notice This hike is listed as One-Way. When hiking several trails on a single "hike", log it with a generic name that describes the hike. Then link the trails traveled, check out the example. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Most recent Triplog Reviews
Lower Yosemite Fall
Yosemite Valley Tourist Day
we packed up our camp at crane flat early and hit the road into yosemite valley
parked at the tunnel and hiked up to inspiration point on the pohono trail
extremely smoky this day, limiting views
a good hike anyway
next hit the very short trail to bridal veil fall
still flowing due to abundance of snow this year
made one stop across from el capitan and walked down to the river
we saw a doe with two fawns and a very nice view of el cap
parked at yosemite valley lodge where we would be staying the next two nights
did the easy loop to lower yosemite fall, also flowing well
jumped on the shuttle to mirror lake trailhead
there were a lot of gnats on this hike but we did the full loop anyway
back on the shuttle for lunch at the grill in the village, then checked into the lodge
ended up going back out to tunnel view close to sunset
photo ops were much better with less smoke
fun day doing most of the easy valley hikes
totally touristy for our first visit to the park
this was kind of a plan b since glacier point road was closed due to fire
parked at the tunnel and hiked up to inspiration point on the pohono trail
extremely smoky this day, limiting views
a good hike anyway
next hit the very short trail to bridal veil fall
still flowing due to abundance of snow this year
made one stop across from el capitan and walked down to the river
we saw a doe with two fawns and a very nice view of el cap
parked at yosemite valley lodge where we would be staying the next two nights
did the easy loop to lower yosemite fall, also flowing well
jumped on the shuttle to mirror lake trailhead
there were a lot of gnats on this hike but we did the full loop anyway
back on the shuttle for lunch at the grill in the village, then checked into the lodge
ended up going back out to tunnel view close to sunset
photo ops were much better with less smoke
fun day doing most of the easy valley hikes
totally touristy for our first visit to the park
this was kind of a plan b since glacier point road was closed due to fire
2017-09-10 trekkin_gecko
Lower Yosemite Fall
No water in the falls. Tall trees. Lots of people.
Sat next to falls viewing area on a bench and watch rock climbers scaling wall through binoculars. Cheering when they got to the top - listening to all the people in different languages in shock/awe tracking the little specks of climbers. Huge French contingent - - exciting to use that rarely used high school skill to translate for Brad.
Went to lavish dinner at the fancy hotel and had drinks outside at sunset (@azchumley's advice) - he should be a romance concierge for outdorsy-people. But since I was the one planning things - not as romantic in real life - but as the controlling force in marriage - it's just the way things work. I plan - he follows and pays - everyone is happy.
Since our home base was Mariposa - we brought extra clothes and deodorant. Parked near Ahwahnee Hotel right after lunch - that was smart. Tiny nap in the car then walked to Lower Falls - walked back to car - changed clothes - deodorant shower - brushed hair - heels/purse/eyeliner - and went in for dinner #likeAboss. Somehow we got back to Mariposa.
Sat next to falls viewing area on a bench and watch rock climbers scaling wall through binoculars. Cheering when they got to the top - listening to all the people in different languages in shock/awe tracking the little specks of climbers. Huge French contingent - - exciting to use that rarely used high school skill to translate for Brad.
Went to lavish dinner at the fancy hotel and had drinks outside at sunset (@azchumley's advice) - he should be a romance concierge for outdorsy-people. But since I was the one planning things - not as romantic in real life - but as the controlling force in marriage - it's just the way things work. I plan - he follows and pays - everyone is happy.
Since our home base was Mariposa - we brought extra clothes and deodorant. Parked near Ahwahnee Hotel right after lunch - that was smart. Tiny nap in the car then walked to Lower Falls - walked back to car - changed clothes - deodorant shower - brushed hair - heels/purse/eyeliner - and went in for dinner #likeAboss. Somehow we got back to Mariposa.
2015-09-18 Crzy4AZ
Lower Yosemite Fall
Lower Yosemite Fall is pretty nice, you can also get a view of both upper and lower at once here. Be warned that this is a paved trail, and near Yosemite Village so pretty much everyone who has entered the park that day will be at this trail. It was crowded. You still get some awesome views though. If you visit Yosemite, you need to check it out.
https://youtube.com ... SZtc
https://youtube.com ... SZtc
2015-07-20 cw50must
Lower Yosemite Fall
While staying in Yosemite Valley, we took the bus over to the Village Store and made our way to Lower Yosemite Falls. You follow a paved trail through the trees that leads to a bridge below the lower falls. The waterfall was flowing lite so people were able to work their way right up to the bottom of the falls. We took our pics from the bridge area and then returned to the road where we picked up the village bus and returned to Curry Village.
2012-06-27 John9L
Lower Yosemite Fall
Just one of the obligatory visits everybody must make during their first visit to Yosemite. This is a flip-flop, drinking-a-beer kind of stroll with occasional crowds depending on when you're there.
Let me just call shenanigans on whoever decided this is the tallest fall in North America. Clearly it's NOT one fall, and therefore should not be counted as one fall. Under this logic, why not add up Nevada and Vernal into the same fall too?
Anyway, rumor has it this will slow to a trickle by the end of summer, so spring is the best time to see it flowing nicely. The wind off the face made it seem as though there were times when the water didn't ever come down, reduced to clouds of mist.
Worth the visit, but I think these falls look cooler from a distance from various points across Yosemite Valley.
Let me just call shenanigans on whoever decided this is the tallest fall in North America. Clearly it's NOT one fall, and therefore should not be counted as one fall. Under this logic, why not add up Nevada and Vernal into the same fall too?
Anyway, rumor has it this will slow to a trickle by the end of summer, so spring is the best time to see it flowing nicely. The wind off the face made it seem as though there were times when the water didn't ever come down, reduced to clouds of mist.
Worth the visit, but I think these falls look cooler from a distance from various points across Yosemite Valley.
2012-05-24 chumley
