Yosemite Falls Trail

View at Lower Yosemite Falls.

Yesterday was my first day in Yosemite National Park.  Austin and I arrive about 1130 after spending the night well outside of the Park.  After parking we look a shuttle to the Lower Yosemite Falls trail, which is a short, flat loop.  The view of the falls and the spray was spectacular and got us motivated for a longer hike.

Climber descending face near Camp 4.

  So, we chose the Upper Yosemite Falls trail which begins about ½ mile down valley.  We walked by several rock faces that were being ascended by a couple of pairs of roped climbers. Soon enough the trail proper veered to the right up a steep, wooded draw.

Steep grade near the start of Upper Yosemite Falls trail.

  The trail is sculpted from granite, reportedly beginning in the 1850s. In many places the footpath is a series of stairs that are flanked by expertly constructed retaining walls.  The amount of work that would have been required to construct it is mind-boggling.

Beautiful rock retaining wall.

  

Also mind-boggling is the grade, which is probably between 20 and 30 percent in most places.  The trail is a series of very short switchbacks, sometimes no more than 30 feet long.  After an untold number of these (80?, 1000?) the trail flattens just a bit and heads east toward the falls. All along this section of the trail the views are spectacular, both of the verdant meadows in the valley and the granite walls on the opposite site of the valley.  After a few more switchbacks up the trail levels again and then drops a few hundred feet as it round a corner, bringing the base of Upper Yosemite falls into view.

Upper Yosemite Falls

The view is spectacular as the wind blows the cascading water off of the granite face where it plunges some 1,430 feet.  Then, the realization that the trail has to achieve that same elevation was daunting at best.  Two groups of hikers were resting in this area and each one nearly convinced me to throw in the towel and enjoy the view from below.  The lower hike had been fairly brutal because the temperature was in the upper 80s.   Austin had a different plan though and was excited to continue up.

Intricate rock trail on upper section

Sign at the top of the trail

Rest spot at the top of the trail.

The trail follows another mostly wooded draw between two massive granite walls.  One switchback after another, and another led us to the top.  We crossed paths with many hikers and a few campers along the way as this is a very popular route.  We grew increasingly tired as we neared the end of our journey: the heat, the altitude, and our lack of fitness, combined to take a toll on each of us. The trail splits at the top, the way to the right leads to an overlook of the valley and a bit farther to the creek.  It was quite a relief to pull off the boots and dip ones toes into the cool water. 

Yosemite Creek above the falls

Yosemite Creek above the falls.

The trip down seemed endless. Each of us had run out of water in spite of having well over a gallon between us.  Although faster and not a cardio work-out the steep grade takes a different toll.  After giving regards to a young, fit couple who passed us on the way up and were waiting, apparently well rested at the bottom, we found water at the Camp 4 campground.  We trudged our way back to the car, grumbling about our pain but grateful for the experience.