Tuolumne Falls Trail

Description:

• The trailhead for the Tuolumne Falls Trail is in the Tuolumne Meadows area of the park at the Lembert Dome/Glen Aulin Trailhead. Begin the hike from the western side of the trailhead parking area on the trail toward Soda Springs.

  The route leads northwestward past a locked gate into an abandoned camping area and the natural spring. Continue along the main trail as it descends slowly to a stream crossing. In the next half mile there are two more stream crossings. Approximately one and a half miles from the trailhead the Young Lakes Trail forks to the right. Continue past this fork. Within a mile the trail reaches the Tuolumne River. The trail meanders along the river and crosses Dingley Creek, and its tributaries, as they enter the river. As it follows the river for slightly more than a mile from Dingley Creek the trail begins to descend more steeply. Approximately four and a half miles from the trailhead you'll reach Tuolumne Falls. The waterfall makes a spectacular 100-foot drop and the trail gets very steep. At the base of the falls the trail crosses the river on a bridge and a view of the cascade from a sandy beach is accessible. After crossing the bridge below the falls the trail is on the same side of the river as the Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp. This is a backcountry camp used mostly by backpackers. Hot meals are served with no reservations at the camp, although a tent site needs to be reserved. Take the second bridge to the right to enter the camp.