Yosemite Falls

If you go to Yosemite, one of the highlights of the trip will be seeing Yosemite Falls. It’s highest measured waterfall in North America with a drop of 2,425 feet (739 meters) and the sixth (sometimes now listed as seventh with the discovery of Gocta Cataracts) highest measured waterfall in the world. While it appears from Yosemite Valley that Yosemite Falls consist of a two-stage drop of Upper Yosemite Falls and Lower Yosemite Falls, there is actually a Yosemite Falls Middle Cascades which consists of five smaller plunges. These are rarely mentioned because they can’t be seen from Yosemite Valley (although they can be seen when hiking the Yosemite Falls trail up to the Upper Yosemite Falls). The Middle Cascades plunge 675 feet (206 meters) which is more than double the drop of Lower Yosemite Falls.

There are a number of vantage points in Yosemite Valley where it’s possible to get a photo of the entire Yosemite Falls which make a spectacular sight.

Yosemite Falls through pine trees

Yosemite Falls Upper and Lower

Upper Yosemite Falls

One of the most spectacular sights in Yosemite is Yosemite Falls which can be seen from a number of spots on the Yosemite Valley floor and makes for breath taking photos. The Yosemite Upper Falls drops 1,430 feet (440 meters), and just the Upper Falls section ranks as a top 20 waterfall in the world. There are hiking trails from the valley floor to both the top and base of Upper Yosemite Falls. Yosemite Upper Falls usually has water flow year round, but there have been occasions when it has gone dry in the past.

Upper Yosemite Falls from visitors center

Yosemite Upper Falls from valley lower falls trail

Upper Yosemite Falls from Sentinel Bridge