Lower Yosemite Falls - Yosemite National Park

Thanks so much for joining me on my second blog post of National Park Week! Today we celebrate John Muir’s Birthday by heading back to one of my all time favorite parks and the spot where he built a sugar pine cabin in 1869 with some spectacular views. Let’s head to Yosemite Valley for a hike to Lower Yosemite Falls.

History

Formed by creeks tumbling into the Yosemite Valley into the Merced River below, Yosemite Falls is North America’s tallest waterfall at 2,425 ft. This waterfall consists of three falls…the upper fall drops 1,430 feet, the middle cascade is 675 feet, and the lower fall drops 320 feet. The main village of the native people of Yosemite Valley, the Aheahneechee, was located at the base of the falls. The Ahwahneechee people called the waterfall "Cholock" and believed that the pool at the base was inhabited by the spirits. The 1849 gold rush brought thousands of non-indigenous miners and settlers to the region. In 1869 young wilderness explorer John Muir built a sugar pine cabin at the base of Yosemite Falls while rebuilding and helping to operate a sawmill.

Hike

The falls often rage from April to June and can completely dry up by October, but lower Yosemite Falls Trail makes for an easy, family friendly hike anytime of year. I’ve visited this wonderful spot many times throughout the years, and most recently during my Winter Firefall visit (a great time of year to see the falls start to flow again and hear large chunks of ice crash down the falls). The entire hike is less than 1 mile round trip on a flat even paved path with minimal elevation change. The eastern trail of this loop is wheelchair accessible, and less than a quarter mile into the hike make the short detour to the viewing area. At this viewing spot you can get great perspectives of the upper and lower falls, and see the location where John Muir built his cabin. Then head back to the main trail crossing the short footbridges to the base of the falls. The path can get very busy in early Summer when the water rages, but it’s often less busy early in the morning on weekdays (and this is also a great time to try and catch a rainbow at the base of the falls).

Know Before You Go

• If visiting in the Winter consider bringing snow cleats and/or hiking poles because the trail can become icy in spots.

• Stay on the established trails and never cross the marked barriers to enter the water. The water can rage dangerously especially in the Spring snow melt.

• Be bear wise…never leave food unattended and always keep a safe distance from local wildlife.

• Please remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints. Pack out everything you pack in and stay on the designated paths. If you’re not familiar with the Leave No Trace Principles, consider familiarizing yourself with them before your trip. Please help leave this special place better than you found it so its natural beauty can be enjoyed for years to come.

Other Yosemite Points of Interest

• Firefall
• Sentinel Dome
• Taft Point
• Roosevelt Point
• Glacier Point
• Yosemite Valley
• Tunnel View
• Cooks Meadow/Lower Falls Loop
• Pioneer Yosemite History Center
• Wawona Swinging Bridge
• Tioga Pass
• Mammoth Lakes
• Sequoia/Kings Canyon NP

Yosemite Valley Top 12 Travel Guide

Thanks for joining me today at Lower Yosemite Falls. If you haven’t already, make sure to sign up here for my monthly newsletter so you can have access to the Yosemite Valley Top 12 Travel Guide, along with free Travel Guides for Lassen and Sequoia!

In Summary & Behind the Blog Video

For a virtual visit of Lower Yosemite Falls, check out my Behind the Blog video below…and make sure to check back on Friday for my final National Park Week blog post. Until then, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go!

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