Chilnualna Falls - Hike near Wowana, Yosemite National Park
Chilnualna Falls Rd, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389, USA,Wowana,California
37.5478584, -119.6431818
Address: Chilnualna Falls Rd, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389, USA
GPS: 37°32'52.3"N 119°38'35.5"W
Maps | Directions
State: California
Trail Length: 8.40 miles
Trail Type: Out & Back
Hike Difficulty: Intermediate
Elevation Gain: 2300 feet
Trails/Routes: 2.5 mi

Restrooms Rivers Waterfalls Streams Trails National Park

Hike

Located near the southern entrance of the valley, Chilnualna Falls is one of the lesser known waterfalls in Yosemite. The hike is about 8 miles round trip and takes you to the upper part of the falls which runs into a few small nature pools. The lower 240 ft are difficult to see from the top, but can be seen at various points throughout the hike. The best view of the entirety of the falls is when you're about a quarter of a mile away, but a switchback leads you back into the forest and away from the water.

Although it's a steady climb up, the hike also takes you through several forests and you can stop at Chilnualna Creek on your way up. Because the trail goes in and out of shady wooded areas, it's not too difficult to keep cool if you go early enough. In the spring, there will often be mist rising from the falls and the creek that help cool you down as well.

Horses are allowed on this trail. There is a fork in the trail towards the beginning of the hike. The left allows horses, and the right is for hikers only. Watch out for rattlesnakes and the ocassional poison oak.

942 Written by smbrady17

Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.

Read More
  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel & camp on durable surfaces
  3. Dispose of waste properly
  4. Leave what you find
  5. Minimize campfire impacts
  6. Respect wildlife
  7. Be considerate of other visitors

Directions

From Wowana, Yosemite National Park

  1. Head south on Chowchilla Mountain Rd toward Wawona Rd
    Toll road
    (377 ft)
  2. Turn right onto Wawona Rd
    Toll road
    (0.3 mi)
  3. Turn right onto Chilnualna Falls Rd
    Toll road
    (1.1 mi)
  4. Turn right to stay on Chilnualna Falls Rd
    Toll road
    (0.2 mi)
or

Parking is in a dirt lot just outside the trailhead.

to add photos & videos and suggest edits

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Chilnualna Falls 2006 courtesy of Ben Lane Chilnualna Falls 2006 courtesy of Ben Lane↗
942

Added by smbrady17

Trails

Distance ?

2.5 miles

Elevation Gain ?

2,116 feet

Real Ascent ?

2,301 feet

Real Descent ?

185 feet

Avg Grade (9°)

17%

Grade (-12° to 44°)

-21% to 96%

Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.

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