Snow Creek Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
| Address: | Snow Creek Falls, California, USA |
| GPS: |
37°45'55.7"N 119°32'5.6"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | California |
| Trail Length: | 5.00 miles |
| Trail Type: | Loop |
| Hike Difficulty: | Beginner |
| Elevation Gain: | 100 feet |
| Trails/Routes: | 2.1 mi |
Restrooms Lakes Waterfalls Streams Trails Rocks National Park Rivers
Backpack and Hike
Snow Creek is one of the more difficult waterfalls to find in the valley, but in the spring and summer months, the elusive waterfall can be seen from the Mirror Lake Trail, a 5 mile loop around Mirror Lake.
The first mile of the Mirror Lake Loop is a flat, straightforward path to Mirror Lake, one of Yosemite's most popular swimming holes. Continuing around the lake, the trail eventually meets the Snow Creek Trail, a separate, strenuous 9 mile hike. It's at this junction that Snow Creek Falls can be spotted.
Snow Creek Falls is 2,140 feet of cascades enveloped in Tenaya Canyon. The entire fall is made up of seven separate drops, the longest being 500 ft. Because of the deep recesses of the rocks it flows over, it is almost tucked away inside the canyon. But if you know where to look, you can find it.
Mirror Lake Loop is the least strenuous way to access the falls, and you can stop for a swim on your way over. However, if you're looking for something more challenging, Snow Creek Falls can also be seen from the "Diving Board," an obscure rock protrusion at the Half Dome summit.
More Information
Yosemite National Park Itinerary
This Yosemite National Park Itinerary will help you get started as you plan your vacation to Yosemite National Park.
https://www.justgotravelstudios.com/collections/national-park-itineraries/products/yosemite-national-park-itinerary?ref=9zpxis0diinBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
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- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
- Head northeast on Northside Dr toward Lower Yosemite Fall TrailToll road(0.5 mi)
- Turn right onto Sentinel DriveToll road(0.3 mi)
- Turn left onto Southside DrToll road(1.0 mi)
- Continue straight onto Happy Isle Loop RdToll road(0.4 mi)
- Turn left to stay on Happy Isle Loop RdToll road(0.2 mi)
- Turn leftToll road(0.1 mi)
- Turn rightToll road(0.1 mi)
Shuttle stop #17 takes you right to Mirror Lake Trailhead
Other Hiking Trails and Backpacking Trails Nearby
Mirror Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
1.5 miles SWA paved, car-free trail winds to this seasonal lake at the base of Half Dome, offering a still mirror reflection and a popular summer swimming hole.
Backpack, Hike, Swim 4.1 mi
North Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
1.5 miles SWA strenuous 10.4-mile hike through Yosemite forest to North Dome, rewarding hikers with the best straight-on view of Half Dome from 7,450 feet — plus a 0.6-mile detour to a 15-foot granite arch.
Backpack, Hike 1.9 mi
Half Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
1.9 miles SEA grueling 14-mile round-trip hike with 4,800 feet of gain to the summit of Half Dome, including a cable section in the final 400 feet — a permit is required and a sunrise start is essential.
Hike 1.9-2.9 mi
Mist Trail
Yosemite National Park
2.6 miles SWA steep, mist-soaked Yosemite staircase hike climbing 639 stone steps past Vernal and Nevada Falls — with Half Dome, Whitecap, and Mt. Broderick views from the switchbacks above.
Backpack, Hike 2.9 mi
Upper Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
2.8 miles WThe tallest waterfall in North America at 2,425 feet — a 7.2-mile, 2,600-ft-gain hike to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls with stunning valley views along the way.
Hike 0.3 mi
Glacier Point
Yosemite National Park
3.3 miles SWPerched at 7,214 feet above Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point delivers bird's-eye views of Half Dome, El Capitan, and multiple waterfalls — accessible by car or a 4.7-mile hike.
Hike 0.7 mi
Cook's Meadow Loop
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
3.5 miles SWA nearly 1-mile, nearly flat loop in Sentinel Meadow with close-up views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Glacier Point, and Sentinel Rock — Yosemite's best easy walk.
Hike 0.8 mi
Lower Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
3.6 miles WA short, flat walk to the base of a 3,967-foot waterfall — twice the height of the Empire State Building and one of North America's tallest, best visited in spring or early summer before it dries.
Hike 4.6 mi
Four Mile Trail
Yosemite National Park
3.6 miles SWA 4.7-mile one-way hike connecting Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point with views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, and the Royal Arches — best visited in spring when the falls run full.
Hike 0.4-2.1 mi
Illilouette Falls
Yosemite West, Yosemite National Park
3.9 miles SA 4-mile hike starting downhill from Glacier Point to a footbridge view of Illilouette Falls — with a side trip on the quieter Panorama Trail adding Half Dome and Nevada Falls views.
Hike 15.9 mi
Valley Loop Trail
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
4.5 miles SWAn 11.5-mile loop trail through the heart of Yosemite Valley following the Merced River past wildflower meadows, the Three Brothers, El Capitan, and Bridalveil Falls — with nearly no elevation gain.
Hike 1.2 mi
Taft Point
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
5.3 miles SWA 5-mile Yosemite loop pairing Sentinel Dome with Taft Point, offering El Capitan views, dramatic cliff fissures, and 3,000-foot valley vistas — no guard rails, so watch your footing.
Hike
Horsetail Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
5.7 miles SWFor a few weeks in mid-to-late February, Horsetail Falls glows orange with reflected sunset light — a rare 'firefall' phenomenon requiring clear skies and a parking permit.
Hike
Tenaya Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
6.0 miles NETenaya Lake's glacier-carved granite shoreline offers a spacious east-beach for swimming, canoeing, and kayaking with stunning Yosemite dome views all around.
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim 1.3-1.6 mi
May Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
6.1 miles NA 2.5-mile roundtrip hike to a scenic 9,270-foot lake at the base of Mt. Hoffmann — with views of Clouds Rest, Half Dome, and Teyana Lake, plus the option to summit the peak for even grander panoramas.
Hike, Swim 0.2 mi
Ribbon Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
6.4 miles SWThe longest single-drop waterfall in North America at 1,612 feet — seasonal and best seen in late morning when the sun hits it directly, visible from El Capitan Road as you enter Yosemite Valley.
Hike 0.2 mi
Bridalveil Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
7.0 miles SWA 620-foot waterfall that flows year-round and soaks onlookers with mist — Bridalveil Falls is just a quick half-mile paved walk from the trailhead, wheelchair accessible and pet friendly.
Hike 1.7 mi
Mono Meadow
Yosemite West, Yosemite National Park
7.0 miles SWA short, lightly trafficked 3-mile round-trip hike through a wildflower meadow recovering from wildfire, offering simultaneous views of Mt. Starr King, Clarke Range, and Half Dome.
Hike 0.7 mi
Lukens Lake
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
7.3 miles NWA short 1.6-mile forest walk to a secluded lake famous for the luminescent shooting stars visible while you swim, plus a wildflower meadow that peaks in July.
Hike, Swim 0.9-3.2 mi
Cathedral Lakes
Wawona, California
8.2 miles NEA gorgeous 7-mile High Sierra hike along the John Muir Trail to twin lakes at 10,000 feet, framed by Cathedral, Echo, and Tressider Peaks with sweeping views of Tenaya Lake from a rock shelf.
Hike, SwimNearby Campsites
Merced River
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
3.1 miles SWThe Merced River circles Yosemite Valley with whitewater, swimming holes, gold-panning spots, and unbeatable views of Yosemite Falls and Glacier Point at every bend.
Camp, Swim, Whitewater 5.7 mi
Ten Lakes
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
9.4 miles NA 6.4-mile hike from Yosemite Creek to three of the Ten Lakes Basin's seven lakes, through wildflower meadows, forests, and past the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, gaining 2,200 feet.
Backpack, Camp, Hike 6.1 mi
Glen Aulin
Wawona, California
11.8 miles NEAn 11-mile hike along the Tuolumne River to Glen Aulin with 800 feet of gain, passing Tuolumne Falls, Soda Springs, wildflower meadows, and the stunning White Cascade.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Glen Aulin
Glen Aulin, California
11.8 miles NEA popular introductory Yosemite High Country backcountry hike following the Tuolumne River to a High Sierra Camp beside the White Cascade waterfall, with further options to Waterwheel Falls.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Swim
Tuolumne Meadows
Tuolumne County, California
12.9 miles NEA stunning alpine meadow in the high Sierra with granite domes and mountain views, the meandering Tuolumne River, and access to Yosemite backcountry — open summer only when the park road is clear.
Camp, Hike
Crane Flat
Big Oak Flat, Yosemite National Park
14.5 miles WFramed between two giant sequoia groves, Crane Flat meadow is a quiet Yosemite base camp for birding, stargazing, and seasonal hikes to Lukens and Harden Lake.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Snowshoe 4.0 mi
Saddlebag Lake
Lee Vining, California
20.0 miles NEAt 10,008 ft, this Eastern Sierra alpine lake offers exceptional trout fishing, a scenic four-mile loop, and a water taxi into the heart of the Twenty Lakes Basin.
Camp, Canoe, Hike
Briceburg Recreation Area
Midpines, California
27.2 miles SWBriceburg is where State Route 140 drops out of the Sierra foothills and meets the Wild and Scenic Merced River, twelve miles east of Mariposa on the road to Yosemite, and it's one of the best public...
Camp, Kayak, Swim
Crystal Lake
Mammoth Lakes, California
30.8 miles EA 3.2-mile roundtrip Sierra day hike past Lake George, Lake Marie, and Lake Mamie, ending at Crystal Lake beneath the monolith Crystal Crag — shaded trail with room to swim, fish, or picnic lakeside.
Camp, Hike
Standish Hickey Area
Lakeshore, California
41.6 miles SEA two-mile stretch of the south fork of the Eel River inside a redwood canyon 180 miles from San Francisco — swim, kayak, fish, or hike, then camp near the 1,200-year-old Captain Miles Standish Tree.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Wild Willy's Hot Spring
Mammoth Lakes, California
42.4 miles EA soaking hot spring in Long Valley's open sagebrush plain — pools range from 95°F to 105°F, with a larger deeper pool and smaller, hotter pools, reached by a 0.2-mile wooden boardwalk from the parking area.
Camp, Hot Springs
Crowley Lake Campground
Crowley Lake, California
44.1 miles ENestled in the stunning Eastern Sierra near Crowley Lake, this BLM campground offers first-come, first-served sites for tents, RVs, and trailers with breathtaking high-desert views.
Camp
