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)

Overnight
A 10 percent chance of rain after 4am. Snow level 5800 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday
A 20 percent chance of rain before 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday
A 50 percent chance of rain after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday Night
Rain. Low around 38. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Saturday
Rain. High near 50. South southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Saturday Night
Rain before 4am, then rain, possibly mixed with snow. Low around 30. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Sunday
Rain and snow likely, becoming all rain after 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Sunday Night
A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. South wind 5 to 10 mph. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Monday Night
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tuesday
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night
Rain and snow likely. Snow level 5700 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.