Story:
Yosemite Valley possesses one of the most beatiful scenary in the world and is particularly renowned for its spectacular waterfalls and giant rocks. Among them, Yosemite Fall is probably the most vistied place in the valley. While most people visit Lower Yosemite Fall only, Upper Yostemite Fall is definitely worthy to pay a visit at least once in a lifetime for its great views on the valley and surroundings.
The hike to Upper Yosemite Fall is about 3 miles for one way, and gaining 3,000 feet in elevation along the way. Be sure that your physical condition is fit for the hike as it will surely be heart-pounding to get to the top. The trailhead is located at Camp 4 (Sunnyside), near Yosemite Lodge. The hike begins with a lot of switchbacks, steepy but well shaded, from the trailhead. One hour into the hike, you arrive at Columbia Rock to take a brief break and enjoy the view of the valley and its rims. Another 10 minutes of climbing after Columiba Rock, the trail begins to descend for about 200 feet in altitude before you meet the lower gate of Upper Yosemite Fall Trail, which is used to close the trail in dangerous situations. After the gate, the trail becomes flat for about 500 feet before it ascends again. Here is also the best place to take shots of Upper Yosemite Fall and enjoy the moisture from it. After leaving the comfort of soothing moisture, you continue hiking up with more switchbacks, steepier and totally exposed. More attention is required on this section of the trail as it is often slippery due to loose gravels.
In about 2 hours, you will finally arrive at the upper gate and the ascent is finally over. Make a right turn at the junction for Yosemite Fall Overlook. In about 10 minutes, you can see the sign pole for the overlook. Make a left turn there and you will descend on the stairway to the overlook. It would be sort of scary here as only the guardrail keep you from falling all the way to the bottom of the valley. At the overlook, you can enjoy the view of the mouth of Yosemite Fall. Quiet an impressive experience. When you are ready to return, just take the same way back to the trailhead. You probably want to pick a cool day for the hike or be sure to bring a lot of water.
Check out the current conditions of Yosemite National Park at:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
Type: Class 1 Out-and-backp roundtrip hike
Distance: 7 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 3,000 feet
Duration: 6 - 8 hours
Difficulty Level: Very strenuous
Start / End: Trailhead at Camp 4 (4,000 ft - 11 S 270626 4180489)
Yosemite Fall Overlook: (6,680 ft - 11 S 271160 4182047)
Route:
Trailhead -(Steep Up)-> Columbia Rock -(Up, then Down)-> Lower Gate -(Flat, then Steep Up) -> Upper Gate -(Flat)-> Trail Junction -(Turn Right)-> Yosemite Fall Overlook -(Flat)-> Trail Junction -(Flat)-> Upper Gate -(Steep down, then Flat)-> Lower Gate -(Up, then Down)-> Columbia Rock -(Steep Down)-> Trailhead
Yosemite Valley possesses one of the most beatiful scenary in the world and is particularly renowned for its spectacular waterfalls and giant rocks. Among them, Yosemite Fall is probably the most vistied place in the valley. While most people visit Lower Yosemite Fall only, Upper Yostemite Fall is definitely worthy to pay a visit at least once in a lifetime for its great views on the valley and surroundings.
The hike to Upper Yosemite Fall is about 3 miles for one way, and gaining 3,000 feet in elevation along the way. Be sure that your physical condition is fit for the hike as it will surely be heart-pounding to get to the top. The trailhead is located at Camp 4 (Sunnyside), near Yosemite Lodge. The hike begins with a lot of switchbacks, steepy but well shaded, from the trailhead. One hour into the hike, you arrive at Columbia Rock to take a brief break and enjoy the view of the valley and its rims. Another 10 minutes of climbing after Columiba Rock, the trail begins to descend for about 200 feet in altitude before you meet the lower gate of Upper Yosemite Fall Trail, which is used to close the trail in dangerous situations. After the gate, the trail becomes flat for about 500 feet before it ascends again. Here is also the best place to take shots of Upper Yosemite Fall and enjoy the moisture from it. After leaving the comfort of soothing moisture, you continue hiking up with more switchbacks, steepier and totally exposed. More attention is required on this section of the trail as it is often slippery due to loose gravels.
In about 2 hours, you will finally arrive at the upper gate and the ascent is finally over. Make a right turn at the junction for Yosemite Fall Overlook. In about 10 minutes, you can see the sign pole for the overlook. Make a left turn there and you will descend on the stairway to the overlook. It would be sort of scary here as only the guardrail keep you from falling all the way to the bottom of the valley. At the overlook, you can enjoy the view of the mouth of Yosemite Fall. Quiet an impressive experience. When you are ready to return, just take the same way back to the trailhead. You probably want to pick a cool day for the hike or be sure to bring a lot of water.
Check out the current conditions of Yosemite National Park at:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
Type: Class 1 Out-and-backp roundtrip hike
Distance: 7 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 3,000 feet
Duration: 6 - 8 hours
Difficulty Level: Very strenuous
Start / End: Trailhead at Camp 4 (4,000 ft - 11 S 270626 4180489)
Yosemite Fall Overlook: (6,680 ft - 11 S 271160 4182047)
Route:
Trailhead -(Steep Up)-> Columbia Rock -(Up, then Down)-> Lower Gate -(Flat, then Steep Up) -> Upper Gate -(Flat)-> Trail Junction -(Turn Right)-> Yosemite Fall Overlook -(Flat)-> Trail Junction -(Flat)-> Upper Gate -(Steep down, then Flat)-> Lower Gate -(Up, then Down)-> Columbia Rock -(Steep Down)-> Trailhead
Tips:
Bring water.
Be careful of slippery gravels.
Bring water.
Be careful of slippery gravels.
Tags:
Yosemite
Yosemite
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