Upper Yosemite Falls

Hiked: 8/14/2020
Distance: 7.6 miles round trip on trail
Summit Elevation: 6526'
Elevation Gain: 3000'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 2.4
Round trip time: 5 hour 20 minutes
Recommended water: 80 oz.
Parking/Fees: $35 National Parks (good for 7 days for one vehicle)
Difficulty: Moderate

Leisa and I drove in the Valley and parked at the trailhead for Upper Yosemite Falls. We started early since it was going to be hot and the trail was almost empty. Looking up from the start, the falls looked like it might be completely dry. Not the best time for this hike, but it was our only opportunity this year. The trail began immediately with stair climbing. The stonework was remarkable. Care was necessary though, since the steps were uneven, some small, some 2' or more, and rocks of all sizes filled the path. The first mile went quickly and we stopped at Columbia Rock for a break. The heat was already building. A little above Columbia Rock, the trail flattens out, the drops a couple hundred feet as it approaches a ravine where the trail switchbacks the rest of the way to the falls. You have to make this up as gain on the way back.

Fine stonework

Looking down from Columbia Rock

From the parking lot, you can't see the trail, but part of it can be seen from Glacier Point. The upper part is deceiving, because in many places it looks like you are going to top out, but the ascent seems to go on forever. During this part of the hike, it was clear we underestimated the amount of water we needed. I began rationing to try to preserve it for later when it would be even hotter. The high in the Valley was going to be above 90F. Eventually, we topped out and were the 2nd party of the day to make the falls. There were two large pools of water in massive gorge but only a trickle of water between them and over the falls. It was barely flowing. I walked down to the lower lookout, which involves a slightly exposed ledge traverse with a metal pole handhold in the rock. There is railing at the bottom to keep people away from the cliff. With almost no water, the view was unimpressive. Back at the main overlook, I followed a class 2 section of rock down 50' to the falls area. I stood over what was left of the falls as it flowed between the two major pools. Normally, the whole gorge is filled with water and you could not stand in the middle. A small consolation. Our return trip was very hot and we met dozens of parties on the way up, over 100 people. About 75% were masked. I ran out of water with about a mile to go, but Leisa had an extra water and was not quite as dehydrated. The heat really gave this hike an extra challenge. There were hikers just leaving the trailhead when we got back at noon in the full heat of the day. I didn't think their chances were very good. After getting down, we drove to the Yosemite general store and got ice cream and two cold drinks each.

The upper falls look dry from here, ascent gully on the left

Sheer cliffs played havoc with the GPS

Leisa in the ascent gully

Large pools in the falls

Standing in the center of the falls

Half Dome on the way down