Chilnualna Fall viewpoint

Chilnualna Falls is a series of cascades dropping roughly 690 feet down granite above the small community of Wawona, just north of Fish Camp. The trail up to it is one of the better-kept secrets in the park — a steady, strenuous climb that rewards you with a waterfall almost nobody else bothers to see, plus wide views back over the Wawona valley.

What to Expect on the Trail

The out-and-back route runs about 8.4 miles with roughly 2,300 feet of elevation gain, putting it in the same league of effort as the Mist Trail or the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail — plan on 4 to 6 hours. The first half-mile follows cascading Chilnualna Creek before the trail switchbacks up through forest, with several spots along the way that open up as informal viewpoints over the falls and the canyon below.

• Distance: about 8.4 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: approximately 2,300 feet
• Difficulty: strenuous

Getting to the Trailhead

Drive to Wawona on Highway 41, then head up Chilnualna Falls Road to its end at the parking area — about two miles from the Wawona Hotel and General Store. There's no shuttle service out here, so you're on your own for parking.

When to Go

Chilnualna Creek runs year-round, unlike some of the seasonal falls in Yosemite Valley, but flow is heaviest during spring snowmelt. By midsummer the climb can get hot with little shade, so an early start pays off.