Chilnualna Falls
Enjoy the waterfalls and scenery along the Chilnualna Falls Trail. Photo: Nancy Robbins
Spend the day hiking right from the doorstep of your Wawona cabin.
Because it starts in Wawona instead of Yosemite Valley, many people overlook this scenic trail, making it a good option for anyone looking for a little more quiet and solitude. It also passes a series of waterfalls, including the 240-foot (73 m) Chilnualna Fall.
Distance: 8.4 miles (13.5 km) round trip (or less)
Trailhead Elevation: 4,200 feet (1,280 meters)
Elevation Gain: 2,300 feet (700 meters)
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
What to Expect on the Chilnualna Falls Trail
If you want to hike all the way up to the tallest waterfall on the trail, plan for a relatively strenuous hike, similar to what you'd find on the steep trails that climb out of Yosemite Valley like the Mist Trail or Upper Yosemite Falls Trail. The trail passes beautiful vistas of the forested Wawona area, and delightful waterfalls and cascades. Peak waterfall season in Yosemite is usually around May and June, when there is still plenty of melting snow in the high country feeding the rivers and waterfalls. This is also true for Chilnualna Falls, though unlike some of the Yosemite Valley waterfalls, this one runs year-round.
The Evening Stroll Version
The first cascades on the Chilnualna Falls Trail are only a short walk from the Wawona cabins.
Even if you don't have time for the full hike, there is plenty to enjoy on the first portion of the trail. From the trailhead sign, it's less than a quarter mile to the first cascade. When the trail forks, follow the signs for the foot trail rather than the stock trail.
In spring, navigating the trail at the base of the waterfall is a mini Mist Trail experience, with spray filling the air and soaking the trail. Later in the season, it's more like an elaborate garden fountain with streams of water tumbling over terraced granite ledges. Worth a visit even if you don't want to go further.
Beyond the First Waterfall
The Chilnualna Falls Trail's spring wildflowers grace views of the different cascades visible a little further up the trail.
The trail continues to climb steeply for a short distance and then settles into a more gentle angle, winding through fragrant forests and past views looking back toward the Wawona area and across the valley to Wawona Dome. In the right season, large sections of the trail are surrounded by broad carpets of white blossoms from Mountain Misery (also called Bear Clover). Don't let the name fool you: these plants in the rose family put on a showy display for a few weeks every June.
After about 2 miles, keep your eyes open for views of the largest waterfall through the trees to the right. When you pass through a narrow corridor up some steps and between a granite wall on your left and a big boulder on the right, you're nearly to the top of that waterfall.
There's no viewing platform for a full view of the waterfall below, and scrambling on water-polished slippery rocks next to a big drop is too risky, but it's a great place to relax next to the river and enjoy the views.
Continue a little further to see the upper waterfalls, a series of cascades tumbling down in multiple tiers, before heading back down to your cabin.
How to Get to the Chilnualna Falls Trailhead
From your cabin in Wawona, step out the front door and make your way back to the main road (Chilnualna Falls Road), then follow it away from Highway 41 and toward the back of the community.
Continue past the parking area on your right and keep your eyes open for the metal trail signs that mark the start of the trail on the left.
Have a great hike!
Discover more things to do close to your Wawona cabin.
Explore Cabins Near Chilnualna Falls
More Photos of Chilnualna Falls Trail
Photo Credit: Yuli Gotsev
Panoramic view from the top of Chilnualna Falls looking out over the Sierras.
Keep your eyes open for the metal Yosemite trail signs like this one at the top of Chilnualna Falls, pointing toward other destinations you could walk to.
During the winter months, the cascades above Chilnualna Fall freeze into tendrils of ice, forming natural ice sculptures.
The trail treats you to a series of cascades as Chilnualna Creek splashes down granite cliffs and gullies, like this 50-foot cascade. Notice the snow lining the water in winter.
Winter's ice-lined pools become refreshing places for a quick dip in summer's heat. (Note: Do not swim or wade in pools close to the edge of cliffs or waterfalls; the rocks can be slipperier than you think.)
