Jessie goes hiking
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Yosemite Falls
This is the tallest waterfall in the continental U.S. (2,245 ft / 739m) and is actually comprised of three waterfalls: Upper Yosemite Falls, Lower Yosemite Falls, and the Middle Cascades. You can also see a great Moonbow here, if the conditions are right.
Quick notes
Who: Jessie, Jodie
When: April 2026
Hike type: Out-and-back
Accommodation: Hike-in site #001, Hodgdon Meadow campground
Permits: America the Beautiful Annual Pass
Getting there and accommodation
Left Sacramento the day after my thirtieth and drove three hours to the campground, stopping in Copperopolis (obvs) for fuel and a milkshake. After we arrived at the campground, I realised we scored the best site (IMO). It’s classed as a walk-in, but it’s only a 10m walk to the site, and it’s super private! You only have one neighbour that is mostly obscured by trees, and you’re surrounded by trees and the camp boundary on the other three sides. Comes with the standard fire ring, picnic table, bear box and space for multiple tents and camp chairs. Will be gunning for this site every time I stay here.
After setting up camp, we drove 45 min to the Valley and checked out the Merced River, Curry Village, and walked around the Valley meadow, before heading back to camp for the night. Driving out at sunset, we saw a bear and her cub near the base of El Cap..! The next morning we packed up camp and legged it to the Valley for the hike.
Upper Yosemite Falls (~6,500 ft)
Stats: 9.39 mi; 4,240 ft gain
Difficulty: Medium (It’s not technical, but there were 60 switchbacks)
Start/end: Camp 4
Parking: Sentinel Bridge parking lot (free, all day)
Trails: Cook’s Meadow Trail -> Valley Loop Trail -> Upper Yosemite Falls Trail
Wildlife: BEARS(!), ground squirrels, lizards
This was so sick. Lots of stairs, lots of up, but we took it slow and enjoyed the views. We started the hike around 9:30am, so by the time we ascended out of the tree-covered section, the lizards were out doing their push ups everywhere. Coming around the bend to “Oh My Gosh Point” was breathtaking. Saw a bear and her cub off the trail after ascending past the middle cascades. Once we got to the top, it was a good opportunity for me to scout for potential campsites as I’ll be backpacking around here in a couple months. It was very windy at the top, and the spring snowmelt was FLOWING. The waterfall was deafening. The top provided a great view of the Cathedral Range and Half Dome, and of course the Valley floor. Negatives of the hike: (i) lots of mosquitos in the first section of switchbacks (it was also approaching sunset), (ii) it’s a popular trail (but not as popular as the Mist Trail), and (iii) very exposed with virtually no shade after Oh My Gosh Point. Regardless, I enjoyed this hike and stoked to tick it off the list, but probably wouldn’t do it in the summer.
