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Upper Yosemite Fall - 2 members in 11 triplogs have rated this an average 5 ( 1 to 5 best )
11 triplogs
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Sep 15 2022
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 Routes 386
 Photos 49
 Triplogs 792

43 female
 Joined Jun 23 2015
 Phoenix, AZ
Upper Yosemite FallSierra Nevada, CA
Upper Yosemite Fall
Sierra Nevada, CA
Hiking avatar Sep 15 2022
emilystardust • Triplogs 792
Hiking7.70 Miles 3,494 AEG
Hiking7.70 Miles   5 Hrs   27 Mns   1.53 mph
3,494 ft AEG      26 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Yosemite Point Trail
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
_____________________
 
May 28 2016
avatar

 Routes 1
 Photos 29,225
 Triplogs 1,447

45 female
 Joined Jan 18 2011
 In the Wild
Upper Yosemite FallSierra Nevada, CA
Upper Yosemite Fall
Sierra Nevada, CA
Hiking avatar May 28 2016
Lucyan • Triplogs 1,447
Hiking6.40 Miles 3,200 AEG
Hiking6.40 Miles
3,200 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
Aug 27 2015
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 54
 Photos 843
 Triplogs 189

37 female
 Joined Jan 21 2013
 Delafield, WI
Upper Yosemite FallSierra Nevada, CA
Upper Yosemite Fall
Sierra Nevada, CA
Hiking avatar Aug 27 2015
zukerrach • Triplogs 189
Hiking8.00 Miles 3,200 AEG
Hiking8.00 Miles
3,200 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Day 3 in Yosemite-- after much debate, Jared and I decided on the Upper Yosemite Falls. We didn't leave the visitor center until mid-afternoon, and our legs were already pretty sore, so we were definitely cutting it close with the timing; a couple people on our way up even warned us that we didn't really have enough time. We pressed on, and made it to the top before our set cut-off time. The falls were entirely dry, but we were surprised to find small pools at the top! We enjoyed our dinner in quiet peace, looking down on the valley below as the mountains lit up. About the last third of the descent was in the relative dark, but the moon lit our way. :)
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Wolf Lichen
_____________________
 
Jul 20 2015
avatar

 Guides 11
 Routes 2
 Photos 3,776
 Triplogs 334

48 male
 Joined Jun 09 2009
 Mesa, AZ
Upper Yosemite FallSierra Nevada, CA
Upper Yosemite Fall
Sierra Nevada, CA
Hiking avatar Jul 20 2015
cw50must • Triplogs 334
Hiking2.80 Miles 3,200 AEG
Hiking2.80 Miles
3,200 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I start out with saying we didn't make the entire trail. We started this pretty late in the afternoon, but I thought we could make pretty good time. AS we got towards the top of the switchbacks it started to thunder and rain pretty bad. I thought at this point we can maybe just make it to Columbia point, but it really started to pour and there was a mass rush of people coming back down the trail so we call it and headed back down. This was my one disapointment with out Yosemite trip is that we didn't finish this hike. I guess that gives an excuse for next time right? :)
_____________________
 
Sep 05 2014
avatar

 Guides 9
 Routes 33
 Photos 780
 Triplogs 4,634

44 male
 Joined Nov 25 2008
 Scottsdale, AZ
Yosemite Point TrailSierra Nevada, CA
Yosemite Point Trail
Sierra Nevada, CA
Hiking avatar Sep 05 2014
Booneman • Triplogs 4,634
Hiking10.95 Miles 3,540 AEG
Hiking10.95 Miles   5 Hrs   16 Mns   2.08 mph
3,540 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Upper Yosemite Fall
Partners none no partners
Steep, rugged, hot and totally dry! Not the most pleasant hike we did this week, and unfortunately the falls were completely dry.
_____________________
 
Jun 29 2012
avatar

 Guides 6
 Routes 183
 Photos 5,612
 Triplogs 1,647

male
 Joined Mar 12 2004
 Scottsdale, AZ
The North RimSierra Nevada, CA
The North Rim
Sierra Nevada, CA
Hiking avatar Jun 29 2012
John9L • Triplogs 1,647
Hiking13.24 Miles 1,729 AEG
Hiking13.24 Miles
1,729 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Yosemite Point Trail
North Dome - Yosemite
Upper Yosemite Fall
Partners none no partners
My last day in Yosemite. It's been a heck of a trip! I've already hiked close to 50 miles and I know I'm near my limit. I was seriously considering spending the day relaxing but I could not resist the call of North Dome. The Dome looms over Curry Village. It's one of the last areas of Yosemite Valley I have not been.

My plan: I would pay the $11.50 for a 8am bus ride on the Tuolumne Hikers Express shuttle. I was lucky to get a seat because it was originally sold out. I double checked later in the day and picked up the one remaining seat for a cancelled reservation. The shuttle would drop me off at Porcupine Creek and I would hike down to North Dome. My original plan was to retrace my steps from North Dome and then connect to the Snow Creek Trail which would lead me down to Mirror Lake and back to Curry Village. I changed my plan and headed west on the North Rim Trail and made my way down the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail. This was a hard decision!

I arrived at the shuttle at 8am and I was ready to hike! The bus was very slow going with a stop at Yosemite Lodge and another stop at Crane Flat for a bathroom break. I got off the bus and started hiking at 10:15am. This is late for me! After stepping off the bus I gear up and prepare myself for the hike. To be honest I was dead tired and almost regretted riding the bus. I had to dig deep for this one!

The first few miles of the North Dome Trail lead down a gentle grade through the forest. There are no views for a while. Eventually the trail starts to head uphill and the views start to open up. One of the first things I see is Clouds Rest. I continued on and views into Yosemite Valley open up as well. Half Dome then comes into view and really grabs your attention. It is one hell of a large piece of granite! Finally my goal North Dome comes into focus. It looks a lot different from up here! The trail makes a slight turn to the left and then hooks back toward the summit. You follow the granite and find yourself at the end in few minutes.

By this time I've been seeing epic views for six days! I'm kind of getting numb to them. I have to pinch myself to remind me where I am and what I'm doing. There is no where else on earth I'd rather be then right here. From North Dome, Half Dome looms straight ahead. Clouds Rest rises to the east and Basket Dome looks inviting as well. It's similar to North Dome. To the west is the top of El Capitan and Yosemite Falls trail. I wish I could spend eternity right here.

Time is wasting so I started my return. At this point I changed my plan to head for the Upper Yosemite Falls trail. I'm really slogging at this point and I want the easiest and quickest way back to the valley floor. The Snow Creek Tail is longer and more isolated. I also can't resist hiking past falls...they are spectacular.

I left North Dome and headed west on the North Rim Trail. This trail is easy to follow as you head into the forest and away from the edge. I followed this for roughly three miles and only saw one other hiker. There were a couple of nice creeks that I used to splash some water in my face and soak my bandana. This helped rejuvenate me! I continued on and the trail lead out of the forest to Yosemite Point. This is another epic view! I continued and dropped down near the bridge above Upper Yosemite Falls. The water was flowing very low compared to my trip here two years ago.

On the way down I made a quick detour to the top of the falls. There were a bunch of people. I walked up and took my pics and then headed out. It was around 2pm and I wanted to get back. I hit the trail and cruised down stopping quickly for a pic here and there. Several groups asked me how much further to the top. I could not give them a good answer. After an hour or so I reached the valley floor and was back at Curry Village shortly afterward.

This has been the trip of a lifetime for me. Everything came together and I accomplished all of my hiking goals and then some! I finished with roughly 63 miles and 14,500 feet of gain over six full days. By the end, the sun and dehydration were a constant threat. This was not easy. The hiking began to feel like a job. I needed a break was happy to return to Phoenix. All good things come to an end.

Parting words, Yosemite and the Sierras are heaven on earth for me. I miss them already! I shall return!
 Geology
 Geology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Glacial Valley
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Clouds Rest  Half Dome  Tenaya Canyon  Yosemite Valley
_____________________
 
Jul 10 2011
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 9
 Photos 1,486
 Triplogs 944

female
 Joined Apr 28 2010
 Tucson, AZ
Upper Yosemite FallSierra Nevada, CA
Upper Yosemite Fall
Sierra Nevada, CA
Hiking avatar Jul 10 2011
uphill_junkie • Triplogs 944
Hiking13.10 Miles 3,519 AEG
Hiking13.10 Miles   3 Hrs   48 Mns   3.45 mph
3,519 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Started from the Mirror Lake Trail since I didn't know where to park and didn't want to deal with the Yosemite Village traffic/crowds. This was an AWESOME trail. Lots of stairs, which I LOVE!!! What an amazing workout :sweat: and views to boot!!!! It was pretty warm, so it was nice once you got to the part where the falls are misting on you! Once at the top, it's a perfect place to hang out for the day. I kept going to Yosemite Point, which was nice because it was away from all the crowds. Hung out there for a while, then went back to the falls, actually sat in the FREEZING water and soaked myself down from head to toe for the walk down. A couple other brave souls tried it too after they saw me do it. :) Of course it ended up being shaded the whole way down! :D

None of my friends made it because they were all too sore from Half-Dome. :-({|=
_____________________
No pants!
 
Jun 07 2010
avatar

 Guides 6
 Routes 183
 Photos 5,612
 Triplogs 1,647

male
 Joined Mar 12 2004
 Scottsdale, AZ
Upper Yosemite FallSierra Nevada, CA
Upper Yosemite Fall
Sierra Nevada, CA
Hiking avatar Jun 07 2010
John9L • Triplogs 1,647
Hiking9.00 Miles 2,900 AEG
Hiking9.00 Miles   5 Hrs      1.80 mph
2,900 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Yosemite Point Trail
Partners none no partners
This was my second trip to Yosemite. I made a day trip back in October and knew I'd be back! I originally planned on hiking Half Dome but the trail was still listed as closed so I decided to do two medium length hikes. I chose Upper Yosemite Falls and the Mist Trail.

I stayed at Curry Village and rode the bus over to Camp 4. I chatted it up with several folks on the beginning switchbacks and really enjoyed the shade. Eventually the trail leveled off and you work your way towards the falls. The views are amazing along the way! Half Dome looms in the distance! And Sentinel Dome and Sentinel Falls lie directly across the valley.

The strange thing is you know Yosemite Falls is right around the corner but you can't hear it. You work your way and then finally you catch the hum of the water...and then it gets louder...and then louder! The next thing you know the falls appear and its roaring! You feel the cool air and the mist picks up as you proceed. Your rewarded with a stunningly close view! I took a bunch of pics and then continued up the trail.

After a bit you work your way up and away from the falls. You come to a challenging section with loads of switchbacks. I took my time heading up this. Again the views are amazing the entire way! You can judge the end as you slowly ascend. It feels like it will never come and then you finally see a sign for trail splits...Eagle Point, North Dome, Yosemite Point and Yosemite Falls overlook.

At the top, I started by following the markers to the Yosemite Falls overlook. You arrive to breathtaking views! You can work your way down some rails that take you right to the falls edge. You can really feel the power of the water as it burst over! I took a load of pics and then turned and headed back to the trail markers.

From the markers, I then headed towards Yosemite Point. It was roughly a mile away and featured a modest elevation gain. You cross the creek and then work your way up and then over to Yosemite Point. I asked a few people to make sure I was going the right way. Route finding was straightforward but I wanted to be sure.

Finally arrived at Yosemite Point and felt weak in the knees! The view again is just thrilling! Looking at Half Dome gave me goose bumps! I worked my way over to a nice shade spot and sat down for some lunch. I had to pinch myself to remind me I'm not in a dream...this IS really happening! Places like this do exist!

Unfortunately I couldn't stay up there forever. I slowly made my way back and then down the trail. Heading down was a breeze. I stopped for a handful of pics and found myself back at Camp 4 in no time. I ended up completely draining 3 litres of water on the hike.

To sum up Yosemite Falls is a challenge! To say this is the greatest trail I have ever hiked is a huge understatement! The views! The terrain! The waterfall! It is a work of art! Upper Yosemite Falls is an absolute must for any avid hiker! You will not be disappointed! Keep in mind the water is seasonal. I was out here last October and Yosemite Falls appeared dry from a distance. Go in the spring and early summer.
_____________________
 
May 23 2010
avatar

 Photos 818
 Triplogs 34

60 male
 Joined Dec 26 2003
 Mesa, AZ
Upper Yosemite FallSierra Nevada, CA
Upper Yosemite Fall
Sierra Nevada, CA
Hiking avatar May 23 2010
Chriskup • Triplogs 34
Hiking9.20 Miles 3,000 AEG
Hiking9.20 Miles   8 Hrs      1.15 mph
3,000 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Staying over in San Jose for two weeks, so took the opportunity to head over to Yosemite. My first choice, the Four Mile Trail, was closed half way - so based on a recommendation from a ranger did the Upper Yosemite Falls (and onward to the Yosemite Point). It was unseasonably cold in Yosemite, highs in the valley forecasted to 45. Bought some winter gear (gloves, cap, and raincoat) and was very glad I did! Parked very near the trailhead in Yosemite Lodge, no need for a shuttle. First part of the hike was exhausting, with many layers of clothing coming off on the way. At the falls, the clothes were being put back on, as the temps fell and the falls mist started to get me wet (and I was already quite wet from sweat!). Mid point of the hike leveled out a bit and you could catch your breath. The falls were beautiful from this vantage point! Continued the climb to the overlook. The overlook itself was so cold with the temps, wind, and mist - I had to many times turn my face from the wind to stop the burn. Took some nice shots of the falls and ice covered plants - climbed out to a warmer wind blocked area above and had a much needed lunch. Headed on to the point, about a mile from the falls on the opposite side of the climb up. Lots of snow here! Clouds and an impending snow shower blocked the views of the valley that would have been awesome. Headed down to face the aforementioned snow shower/storm - which made the granite rock path very slick, so it was slow going. Got to the car at five, exhausted as usual - but very happy to have been on another great hiking adventure!
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Steller's Jay
_____________________
  1 archive
Aug 20 2009
avatar

 Guides 3
 Routes 4
 Photos 8,687
 Triplogs 931

46 male
 Joined Mar 28 2005
 Gilbert, AZ
Upper Yosemite FallSierra Nevada, CA
Upper Yosemite Fall
Sierra Nevada, CA
Hiking avatar Aug 20 2009
Vaporman • Triplogs 931
Hiking8.00 Miles 2,700 AEG
Hiking8.00 Miles
2,700 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
Yea, canyoneering is an extreme sport... EXTREMELY dramatic!!! =p
  1 archive
Jun 20 2006
avatar

 Guides 3
 Routes 4
 Photos 8,687
 Triplogs 931

46 male
 Joined Mar 28 2005
 Gilbert, AZ
Yosemite Falls to El Capitan, CA 
Yosemite Falls to El Capitan, CA
 
Hiking avatar Jun 20 2006
Vaporman • Triplogs 931
Hiking18.00 Miles 3,000 AEG
Hiking18.00 Miles
3,000 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Upper Yosemite Fall
Partners none no partners
_____________________
Yea, canyoneering is an extreme sport... EXTREMELY dramatic!!! =p
  2 archives
average hiking speed 1.64 mph

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.

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