Yosemite Falls can be viewed from several locations throughout Yosemite National Park. Southside Drive, the one-way road into Yosemite Valley, even widens a mile or so past Bridalveil Fall to allow parking on the northerly side so guests can stop to gawk at the view of Upper Yosemite Fall and to snap photos. At that location, the wide-open landscape of Sentinel Meadow presents a clear line of vision to the Falls, while being framed by the meadow grasses, granite walls, and skies above.
Upper Yosemite Fall from Southside Drive. Photo courtesy of Bing Maps.
The “Hanging Bridge” also provides a popular stopping point to view Upper Yosemite Fall (the bridge has retained the name of “Hanging” from long ago when it really did hang although now it spans the river with the aid of rock-faced pillars--See photo to the right.). Because this bridge view gets mentioned in so many ‘Best-Spots-to-Photograph-Yosemite’ articles, books, and websites, the parking lot along Southside Drive fills quickly, making it difficult to find parking during the summer. Once you walk onto the bridge, you will see Upper Yosemite Fall reflected upstream on the surface of the Merced River, especially when the Fall is flowing fully. This elevated vantage point of water mirroring water enhances the impact of the Fall amidst the Valley setting and solidifies the popularity of this location among photographers.
Other “classic” viewing points of Yosemite Falls include, but are not limited to, Glacier Point, Sierra Point, the Yosemite Valley Lodge parking lot, behind the Ahwahnee Hotel, off to the side of the Yosemite Chapel, above from Taft Point, and then from the Sentinel Bridge parking lot that looks out over Cook’s Meadow. Each of these destinations highlights different features of the Falls’ character while emphasizing its claim to fame as one of the tallest waterfalls in North America.
Yosemite Falls from Sentinel Bridge Viewing Area.
Photo courtesy of National Park Service.
I cannot fail to mention my own most often viewed “location” for getting my daily fix of seeing Upper Yosemite Fall. This viewing spot originates from the Yosemite Conservancy webcam which I can view from any of my electronic devices that have internet access. This allows me to monitor the Fall’s water volume, its visibility, and the prevailing weather patterns for any particular day. Even when dry, I watch closely to count its days of absence while I expectantly await its return.
This past year has been no different. I have monitored the volume of water every day throughout the year via the visual feed on the webcam. For the past ten years, this has provided me, not only a snapshot of Upper Yosemite Fall’s status in real-time but also a daily update of Yosemite’s weather conditions and how the Fall is impacted.
Unfortunately, the continuing drought in California produced a minimal snowpack for the winter of 2022. Consequently, Yosemite Falls nearly disappeared in late July. However, a vigorous monsoon season brought rains to the watershed that drains into Yosemite Creek allowing the Falls to maintain a trickle of water throughout August, September, and October. It did return more strongly with the first Pacific Storm of the autumn on November 7th.
Despite the convenience of seeing Yosemite Falls daily from the webcam, this most often-viewed snapshot of Yosemite Falls is not my favorite view. The most pleasing location for me to watch Upper Yosemite Fall originates high above Yosemite Valley where Yosemite Creek begins its 2,600-foot journey to the Valley floor.
The trip to get there, however, does not come as effortlessly as clicking a computer key. Rather, the trail to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls requires a 3 ½-mile-hike to overcome the 2,600 feet (792 m) in elevation gain. That trek also includes 135 steep switchbacks. Most trail guides rate this hike at least an “8” out of “10” in terms of difficulty, with ten being considered very strenuous. Yosemitehikes.com notes that the hike is comparable to climbing “the equivalent of just over two Empire State Buildings.” Additionally, a large portion of the hike includes rocky terrain that heats up during the midday sun, doubling the effort needed as the heat reflects off the exposed granite.
At the highest point on the trail, hikers gather to take selfies and group photos to document their summit success. The view looks out over Yosemite Valley as well as Half Dome and the southern mountain ridges of Yosemite; all of which make a suitable backdrop for a confirmation photo on top.
Yet, one must go further to reach my favorite spot, an area that I completely missed the first time I ever hiked the Upper Yosemite Fall trail. The trail becomes hard to find here on top because of the smooth granite and only a few rocks to identify the way. True, a sign does point the way, but having been overwhelmingly defaced, it can easily be missed as a mere canvas for vandals instead of a directional landmark.
About 30 feet beyond the sign, the trail curves through a narrow crease between granite stones and then down some rocky steps that provide open views of the Valley. From there, one rounds a bend where a steep staircase awaits with about 40 steps that appear to have been “super-glued” to the side of the granite cliff. Adventurers will love it, but those sensitive to heights may find even clinging to the handrail that runs along the rockface insufficient to allay fears.
At the bottom of the staircase, a natural outcropping provides a firmer footing to reach the viewing point of Upper Yosemite Fall where it leaps into space from the top of the Valley wall. A railing keeps visitors from falling to the depths below.
On the far end of the ledge, my favorite view of Upper Yosemite Fall awaits. Getting as close as I can and peering downward against the railing, I am greeted by the roar of Yosemite Creek shooshing itself off the side of the Valley wall as it transforms itself from creek to waterfall. Occasionally, a strong wind will send the spray of the Fall to this viewing point, making it much more than just a “classic” location to view the Fall. Although the other locations where Yosemite Falls can be seen may provide better photographs, taking in this close-up view from the top provides far greater impact and far-lasting memories. This location remains my favorite no matter the effort needed to get here at the top.
Yosemite Creek as it transforms into Yosemite Fall high above Yosemite Valley.