tiers are considered as a whole, Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in North America and the fifth highest in
the world. The three tiers include the Upper Fall (1430ft), middle cascades (675ft) and the lower fall (320ft)
Sections of Yosemite Falls
Upper Yosemite Falls
Water drops 1430ft at the Upper Falls, which means that even individually, it would place among the top 20 highest
waterfalls in the world. Unlike the Lower Falls, the Upper Falls are not easy to access. In fact, reaching the Upper
Falls requires taking a 7.2 mile round trip, with 2700ft elevation gain. The majority of the route is exposed to sun,
and therefore it is recommended to start early in order to avoid the midday heat.
Middle Cascades
The middle cascades are located between the Upper and Lower falls, and cannot be seen from the majority of vantage
points. In a series of five smaller cascades, water descends a total of 675ft.
Lower Yosemite Falls
At the Lower Falls, water descends 320ft; almost twice the drop of Niagara Falls. It is the easiest section to
access, with only a short walk from the Yosemite Lodge to the base of the falls required. If visiting in spring,
then be aware that the viewing area will receive a lot of spray from the falls. However, by the middle of summer,
the spray is replaced by calm, cool air and possibly a little mist.
