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Eagle Peak via Yosemite Falls (Yosemite Falls Trailhead to Eagle Peak)
Hiking Trail
Hard
11.28 mi
4,276 ft
Make the arduous climb to Upper Yosemite Falls, then go even farther to find the highest point on this side of Yosemite Valley.
Eagle Peak is the highest point on the north rim of Yosemite Valley and grants an astounding view to those who reach it. It’s the top of the Three Brothers formation, a stair-stepped trio of towering promontories. The hike begins at the popular Yosemite Falls Trailhead. The falls are, of course, the destination for most, but for those with sights set on Eagle Peak, the [Yosemite Falls Trail]( is only the first part of the journey.
More than 100 switchbacks and seemingly endless stairs make the approximately 3-mile ascent from the valley floor to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls. A side trail leads down to the brink of the waterfall, but the Eagle Peak Trail branches off and continues uphill. The slope is gentle, however, compared to what it takes to get there.
The rest of the way to Eagle Peak is mostly in the forest, sometimes crossing rocky clearings and grassy meadows. It’s hilly terrain with various ups and downs, culminating in a steady uphill to reach the peak. The final stretch is a boulder-strewn ridge with an airy vantage down to the valley floor. It feels almost as if you’re “walking the plank” over the abyss below, but you can stay a safe distance from the edge. The panorama includes the heart of Yosemite Valley, with its broad meadows and the meandering Merced River, plus Half Dome and Clouds Rest rising above. To the other side, you’ll see the top of El Capitan in profile, with its domed summit tipping suddenly to a vertical face.
This route from Yosemite Falls Trailhead is not the only way to reach Eagle Peak, but it is the most direct and, because of the waterfalls, provides the most bang for your buck as a day hike. If you prefer to do Eagle Peak as a multi-day backpacking trip ([wilderness permit]( required), consider starting from Tamarack Flat or Tuolumne Meadows instead, making a longer hike with less elevation gain.
Sources:
Written by Jesse Weber
Eagle Peak is the highest point on the north rim of Yosemite Valley and grants an astounding view to those who reach it. It’s the top of the Three Brothers formation, a stair-stepped trio of towering promontories. The hike begins at the popular Yosemite Falls Trailhead. The falls are, of course, the destination for most, but for those with sights set on Eagle Peak, the [Yosemite Falls Trail]( is only the first part of the journey.
More than 100 switchbacks and seemingly endless stairs make the approximately 3-mile ascent from the valley floor to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls. A side trail leads down to the brink of the waterfall, but the Eagle Peak Trail branches off and continues uphill. The slope is gentle, however, compared to what it takes to get there.
The rest of the way to Eagle Peak is mostly in the forest, sometimes crossing rocky clearings and grassy meadows. It’s hilly terrain with various ups and downs, culminating in a steady uphill to reach the peak. The final stretch is a boulder-strewn ridge with an airy vantage down to the valley floor. It feels almost as if you’re “walking the plank” over the abyss below, but you can stay a safe distance from the edge. The panorama includes the heart of Yosemite Valley, with its broad meadows and the meandering Merced River, plus Half Dome and Clouds Rest rising above. To the other side, you’ll see the top of El Capitan in profile, with its domed summit tipping suddenly to a vertical face.
This route from Yosemite Falls Trailhead is not the only way to reach Eagle Peak, but it is the most direct and, because of the waterfalls, provides the most bang for your buck as a day hike. If you prefer to do Eagle Peak as a multi-day backpacking trip ([wilderness permit]( required), consider starting from Tamarack Flat or Tuolumne Meadows instead, making a longer hike with less elevation gain.
Sources:
Written by Jesse Weber
Created By
Strava Routes
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Rock | 1.06 mi | 1,040 ft | 18.5% |
| Upper yosemite waterfalls | 1.58 mi | 1,201 ft | 13.5% |
| Yosemite Falls (Trailhead to First View) | 1.28 mi | 1,207 ft | 16.1% |
| Yosemite Falls | 3.07 mi | 2,592 ft | 16.0% |
| Camp 4 Parking Climb | 0.40 mi | 184 ft | 8.6% |
| Lower Yosemite Fall Trail Climb | 0.51 mi | 666 ft | 24.3% |
| Lower Yosemite Fall Trail Climb | 0.09 mi | 486 ft | 92.8% |
| Lower Yosemite Fall Trail Climb | 0.33 mi | 394 ft | 20.3% |
| Hiking Trail Climb | 0.28 mi | 177 ft | 11.7% |
| Northside Dr Climb | 0.58 mi | 390 ft | 12.6% |
| Yosemite Fall Down | 1.00 mi | -1,644 ft | -30.7% |
| Lower Yosemite Fall Trail Climb | 0.45 mi | 308 ft | 11.7% |
| Hiking Trail Climb | 0.24 mi | 82 ft | 6.3% |