Yosemite Falls — A Deep Dive
Yosemite Falls is a three-step cascade in Yosemite National Park, California, with a total drop of 739 metres — North America's tallest waterfall. The falls are on the map.
Three steps
Upper Yosemite Fall: 436 m. Middle Cascades: 205 m. Lower Yosemite Fall: 98 m. The full set is visible from the valley floor at Cook's Meadow.
Seasonality
Snowmelt-fed: peak flow May-June. By August often dry; by September completely dry in most years. Reactivates in November after first storms.
Hiking the falls
Lower Fall: 1.6 km flat loop. Upper Fall trail: 11.6 km return, 822 m elevation gain — strenuous, full day. Both start from Yosemite Valley Lodge area.
Moonbow
April-May full moons regularly produce a moonbow in the spray of Lower Yosemite Fall. Photographers gather; tripods required for the long exposures.
Park practicalities
Reservation system for entry in summer months (May-September). Closest airport: Fresno or Mariposa. Yosemite Valley Lodge or Curry Village for in-park lodging. Book a year ahead.
Other Yosemite falls
Bridalveil (189 m, see separate deep-dive), Vernal (97 m on the Mist Trail), Nevada (181 m above Vernal), Horsetail (470 m, the February 'firefall'). The valley is a waterfall paradise in spring.
Keep exploring
All of these are pinned on our interactive map.