Address: Yosemite Village, CA 95389 (near Yosemite Valley Lodge)
The Yosemite Falls is the most popular and most visited falls at Yosemite National Park. It is formed by creeks tumbling into the Yosemite Valley into the Merced River down below. The water comes from the snow that is above 6,000 feet during winter, creating a reservoir of water. Yosemite Falls is 2,435 feet from the top to the base and the highest falls at Yosemite National Park. The Yosemite Falls is composed of three waterfalls or drops which are the top, middle and bottom falls. The waterfall is at its peak flow in May and the water flowing through the falls usually stops in late summer and fall.
We drove for about 5 hours from San Francisco via US-140 El Portal to Yosemite National Park entrance. We stayed for two days at Yosemite Valley Lodge which is inside the park and about a 10-15 minutes walk to the base of Yosemite Falls. There were a lot of visual signs leading to the upper and lower falls. There is a public restroom available onsite and a shuttle bus stop #6 situated in front of the park. But the Yosemite National Park shuttle bus is currently not in service due to Covid-19 safety restrictions. There were a lot of people wearing masks but it is challenging to practice social distancing due to a large crowd.
When we arrived at the entrance we immediately took a picture of the beautiful Yosemite Falls with the three waterfalls or drops which are visible from a far. When we got to the base or viewing point area of the Yosemite Falls we were mesmerized by the Majestic beauty and the very loud roar from the waterfalls. The view area was crowded with lots of people wearing masks, posing, and taking pictures but it was very challenging to practice social distancing due to large crowds. We took a family picture on the bridge with the Yosemite Falls as our background. Some people were considerate, taking turns in taking a picture.
After the bridge, we merged to the left and proceeded towards the base of the waterfalls to get a closer look and feel the water mist from the bottom of the falls. We had to go through a lot of huge, wet, and slippery granite rocks. We were just wearing regular running shoes which made us slipped through some rocks. We forgot to change into our hiking boots which is highly recommended when going through the slippery rocks to prevent slips and falls. As we got closer to the falls we heard the deafening loud noise from the falls, saw a beautiful rainbow, and was soaked from the water mist coming from the waterfalls. We took lots of pictures and videos closer to the Majestic and beautiful Yosemite Falls.
Overall it was a great experience for us to experience again. It is my daughter’s first experience of visiting Yosemite Falls with all the waterfalls flowing. We also saw a lot of people with their smaller/younger kids on a stroller as the trail is paved and easy.
Tips: Ensure that you pack lots of bottled water to stay hydrated, wear hiking shoes especially when you want to get closer to the bottom of the falls to prevent slips and falls. Wear a waterproof jacket to minimize getting soak and to keep you warm as the weather is unpredictable. Bring a sanitizer to clean your hands after holding on to the slippery rocks, and a small cloth to wipe yourself from the strong mist. Always remember safety first and don’t do anything unsafe or beyond your comfort level. We even pack a first aid kit just in case of an emergency.
Let me know if you have any questions, comments or what you think about Yosemite Falls (lower falls) after your visit in the comments below. And kindly share our family travel blog site with your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you.