Upper Yosemite Fall Trail

The Upper Yosemite Fall Trail is the original route to the top of Yosemite Falls, and it climbs exactly as hard as its history suggests — Valley crews cut these switchbacks by hand between 1873 and 1877, making it one of the park's oldest trails, and the grade hasn't softened since. From the trailhead near Camp 4, it's a 7.2-mile round trip with about 2,700 feet of elevation gain, taking most hikers 6 to 8 hours according to the National Park Service.

The Short Version: Columbia Rock

If the full climb is more than you're up for, hike just the first stretch to Columbia Rock — a 2-mile round trip with roughly 1,000 feet of elevation gain, taking about 2 to 3 hours. It's the trail's most popular turnaround point, and it delivers a real Valley overlook without demanding the whole day.

What's at the Top

Push all the way up and you're standing above Yosemite Falls, which drops 2,425 feet to the Valley floor in three tiers — the tallest waterfall in North America. Timing is everything here: the falls are fed entirely by snowmelt, thundering in May and typically down to a trickle or completely dry by August in an average year, so what you see depends heavily on when you go.

Know Before You Go

• The trail is fully exposed switchbacks with almost no shade — start early, especially in summer heat.
• The upper section runs close to cliff edges near the fall's brink; stay behind railings and off wet or polished rock, which has been the site of serious falls.
• There's no potable water past the trailhead, so carry everything you'll need for the full round trip.