Upper Yosemite Falls - California Waterfalls; Yosemite Natl. Park, Yosemite Village-hike/trail/map/directions

Upper Yosemite Falls in Yosemite National Park, California, is one of the most spectacular sights in all of the United States. In the summer, the water flow dwindles to almost nothing, but in the spring during snow melt, the waterfall is overwhelming. Upper Yosemite Falls can be seen along the roadside at a number of viewpoints along Southside Drive. The best ones are at Cooks Meadow and Swinging Bridge, and it also can be seen along the trail to Lower Yosemite Falls.

For those with a lot of energy, it is a grueling 3 hour hike to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls. It is well worth the effort, however. The best views of the upper falls you will find a little ways past Columbia Rock, about 1.5 miles from the bottom. Also just past Columbia Rock, there is a little side trail on the right, just before you get your first view. Take it. It is a very short walk that leads to a single viewpoint of the upper, middle, and lower falls (it is the only viewpoint for the middle falls). If you continue up the trail, you will get some closer views of Upper Yosemite Falls. Then the trail continues to the top (another 2 hours of hiking). There is not really a good view of the upper falls at the top, though you can get to a scary ledge beside the waterfall, looking down to the bottom. There are awesome views of the valley from the top, and if you are there in the summer months, you can actually swim in Yosemite Creek at the top. Now that is refreshing after a grueling 3 hour hike! But in the spring, the creek is flowing far too fast.

Together with Lower Yosemite Falls (320 ft.) and the middle cascades (675 ft.), the total height of the waterfalls is 2425 ft., making this the one of the highest waterfalls in the world. It is often said to be the 5th highest, though actually there are quite a few others that are higher (unofficially). At any rate, it is easily the single best thing in a national park that has plenty of incredible sights to see.

Yosemite Valley CA (Elev. 4760 ft)

Today
A chance of rain and snow before 10am, then a slight chance of rain. Snow level rising to 5500 feet in the afternoon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. Wind chill values as low as 29 early. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Tonight
Snow, mainly after 4am. Low around 25. East northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Monday
Rain and snow, becoming all rain after 8am. High near 48. Wind chill values as low as 30 early. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Monday Night
Rain. Low around 36. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Tuesday
Rain. High near 48. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Tuesday Night
Rain likely before 4am, then rain likely, possibly mixed with snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Wednesday
A chance of rain and snow before 7am, then a chance of rain. Snow level 5900 feet. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. South southeast wind around 5 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Wednesday Night
A 20 percent chance of rain. Snow level 5800 feet. Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. East northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thanksgiving Day
Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. East northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday Night
A 20 percent chance of rain after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. East northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday
A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 56. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night
A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. North wind around 5 mph.