This blog will be the sixth about the Sierra Nevada. This time, instead of entering from the east, our journey begins from the crowded west side that over 90% of the public uses. In order to avoid the crowds, it’s essential to enter Yosemite National Parks as early as possible. If you make the mistake of not leaving Fresno until 8:30am (even in April as your blogger did!) be prepared to spend considerable time in search of a parking spot. In addition to the crowds, Yosemite Valley frequently has temperatures above 90 degrees in the summer and forest fires are a real possibility. Once you are on the trail to upper Yosemite Falls, the 2,700 foot elevation gain of the 7.2 mile round trip thins the population density out considerably. It took me about five hours to get to the top of Yosemite Falls and back down. Be aware that high temperatures should increase that time, though of course they should coincide with more daylight hours to frolick in. Doing the trail in the spring allows you to see the waterfalls when they are most spectacular and there is considerable snow near the iconic Half Dome and the other mountains as high as 11,000 feet to the east of the Valley.
This blog is being published as wintry temperatures and heavy precipitation falls upon the Sierra Nevada. Since the trail described goes above 6,000 feet, at some point snow will stick and night time freezing could make it quite slippery with ice. Since it’s a steep trail that should be a definite caution signal to wait till roughly April (depending on conditions) for going all the way to the top. The first two miles of the Yosemite Falls Trail to Columbia Rock is sun exposed and may be safe even in winter. Even if the trail to Yosemite Falls is too dangerous to undertake when you get there, the stunning pictures you can take from the valley floor should make the trip more than worthwhile.
To get to the trail head drive into Yosemite Valley by heading north from Fresno. Take Highway 41 north about 61 miles into Yosemite Valley (where you will pay your park entrance fee) and proceed on Wawona Road another 32 miles and try to park as close to Yosemite Falls as you can. Upper Yosemite Falls Trail is just to the west of lower Yosemite Falls and the Disneyland-like crowds that prevail in that area during the summer vacation season. I have included a pair of links for more specific information on the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail here and here.
