The Columbia Rock Hike is a beautiful albeit strenuous path that rewards you after a straight vertical ascent with gorgeous views out over the Yosemite Valley and of its surrounding mountains.
Apparently, it really follows the Higher Yosemite Falls Path, although it’s an awesome possibility for individuals who might not need to do the extraordinarily strenuous 7.2-mile round-trip trek to the highest of the waterfall.
This hike is an particularly nice possibility when you’ve solely acquired a number of hours to fill or when you’ve performed the opposite scenic hikes within the Yosemite Valley and don’t need to drive all the way in which to Tuolumne Meadows or Tioga Highway.
We’ll go over extra causes so as to add this path to your Yosemite itinerary beneath — with images!
What Sort Of Hiker Are You? [Free Quiz]
However first, earlier than we dive into find out how to do probably the greatest Yosemite mountaineering trails, I need to share a free persona quiz I believe you’ll love:
Uncover your mountaineering persona on this enjoyable and brief hiker persona quiz, which additionally shares path ideas primarily based in your outcomes.
When you’ve grabbed the quiz, let’s talk about find out how to do the Columbia Rock Path Yosemite, one in all my favourite California journey experiences! By the top, it’ll be clear why you must add this hike to your itinerary for Yosemite Nationwide Park and in your bigger Southern California street journey itinerary.
Yosemite Nationwide Park Map
Earlier than mountaineering the Higher Yosemite Falls Path to the Columbia Rock view level, it’s advisable to print out a map of Yosemite Nationwide Park. You’ll be able to click on right here to try this.
You too can get a map for the Columbia Rock Path particularly right here (Google Map model).
Observe: You’ll get a paper Yosemite Path Map when getting into the park (proven beneath) and there are maps posted in all places so that you can simply take a photograph of along with your cellphone.
Columbia Rock Hike Yosemite: Fast Information
Problem Degree: Strenuous
Trailhead: Camp 4 (the Sunnyside Campground). The tackle is Yosemite Falls Path, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389. That is additionally the Yosemite Falls Trailhead and likewise the place you can begin the Decrease Yosemite Falls Path.
*Observe that until you’re tenting at Camp 4 you’ll be able to’t park there, however you’ll be able to park proper throughout the road within the Yosemite Valley Lodge car parking zone or you’ll be able to take the free inexperienced shuttle bus to cease #7.
Path Size: 2 miles round-trip; about 2-3 hours.
Elevation Achieve: A steep uphill 1,000-foot elevation acquire.
Path Sort: Out and again.
Nearest Park Entrance: South Entrance/Mariposa Grove.
Restrooms: There are restrooms on the trailhead.
Path Highlights: The primary spotlight of this path is the gorgeous panoramic view from Columbia Rock, which is perched up excessive at 5,031 ft (1533 meters). As you make the ascent, there are additionally quite a few vistas alongside the way in which.
Columbia Rock Hike trailhead. Photograph through Jessie Festa.
How To Hike The Columbia Rock Path In Yosemite Nationwide Park
The unique plan was to do the 7.2-mile path to the Higher Yosemite Falls.
Whereas thought of “very strenuous” the hike is meant to award stunning views from the highest of America’s tallest waterfall at 2,425 ft.
The issue?
The falls dry up in late summer time, which is when my husband Andy and I are visiting!
Fortunately, there’s nonetheless a method to absorb beautiful views from the Higher Yosemite Falls Path by mountaineering it to Columbia Rock.
The 2-mile hike continues to be strenuous with a 1,000-mile elevation acquire, although is way shorter and completely well worth the problem for the views.
The hike begins from the Camp 4 car parking zone, throughout from the Yosemite Valley Lodge.
The Columbia Rock Path in Yosemite Nationwide Park is tremendous steep! Photograph through Jessie Festa.
Virtually instantly we’re heading uphill, uneven stone steps coated in sand making a slippery and difficult ascent.
Big rock formations and stone partitions encompass us, and I really feel like I’m in medieval instances.
Up, up — and up and up — we go over dozens of steep switchbacks, my calves wincing with every raise of my leg.
Thankfully, there are a variety of viewpoints alongside the way in which for resting with a view, like these:
One of many many viewpoints alongside the Columbia Rock Path in Yosemite Nationwide Park. Photograph through Jessie Festa.
One of many many viewpoints alongside the Columbia Rock Path in Yosemite Nationwide Park
Lastly, after what looks like eternally, we emerge from the bushes into the solar, taking in unobstructed valley and mountain views.
They get higher and higher the upper we go, and I nearly don’t discover how out of breath I’m.
Finally, the enduring Half Dome — a rock formation named for its distinctive form — comes into view. It’s one of the crucial iconic visuals of the park, and one you’ll see on many postcards.
However, as I prefer to say, landmarks and pure websites are at all times higher in individual, and the scene earlier than me proves this.
After about an hour and 20 minutes of uphill mountaineering, together with time for images, we arrive to Columbia Rock.
There is no such thing as a signal, however we determine it out once we see an enormous rock with a viewing platform and various folks stopped for lunch who affirm that we’re in the proper place.
For a visible, it appears like this:
We’ve formally made it to Columbia Rock Yosemite! Photograph through Jessie Festa.
Oh, and the spectacular views additionally clue us in.
From Columbia Rock, there’s an expansive vista showcasing the Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Higher Yosemite Falls, Sentinel Rock, and Eagle Peak (which appears a bit just like El Capitan) from 5,031 ft.
You too can look all the way down to see Yosemite Village apparing like tiny LEGO items.
It’s the proper spot to take images and luxuriate in lunch with a phenomenal Yosemite Nationwide Park view.
Columbia Rock Path viewpoint in Yosemite Nationwide Park. Photograph through Jessie Festa.
Columbia Rock Path viewpoint in Yosemite Nationwide Park. Photograph through Jessie Festa.
After consuming, we make our method again down — which is sort of tougher than going up because it’s very steep and slippery from the sandy rocks (so put on correct mountaineering clothes and footwear and think about mountaineering poles!).
And whereas the trek is probably not as thrilling as different Yosemite Valley hikes like Sentinel Dome to Glacier Level and the Mist Path, the problem is totally well worth the effort for these vistas.
Professional tip:
Wish to prolong your hike however don’t need to do anything strenuous? You’ll discover the trailhead for the Valley Ground Loop on the trailhead.
The Valley Loop path may be performed as a half loop (6.5 miles) or a full loop (13 miles) and provides views trying up towards a lot of Yosemite Nationwide Park’s most iconic websites like Sentinel Rock, Cathedral Rocks, Bridalveil Fall, El Capitan, Three Brothers, and Yosemite Falls.
Yosemite Nationwide Park Mountain climbing Suggestions
Mountain climbing in Yosemite Nationwide Park? Listed here are a number of essential items of recommendation, whether or not you hike Columbia Rock or some place else.
-Know that you simply’re on Indigenous land. The Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation have been the unique inhabitants of the land that Yosemite Nationwide Park resides on, however have been displaced and/or pressured to relocate.
Together with educating your self on the historical past and tradition of this Indigenous tribe, think about making a donation to causes and charities that straight assist them. Furthermore, the place potential rent Indigenous guides and buy from Indigenous-owned companies.
-Know which Yosemite Nationwide Park entrance is finest. When reserving your Yosemite Nationwide Park lodging, do your analysis to be sure to’re staying close to your required entrance gate. The park is very large and it will probably take you hours to drive to a specific trailhead when you’re not staying in the proper location.
-Preserve wildlife wild. Don’t feed, pet, or get too near wildlife. In the event that they grow to be too used to people they might grow to be aggressive, and sadly might finally should be put down.
-Drive slowly. Ensure you’re going at or beneath the velocity restrict to keep away from hitting animals. In keeping with Yosemite Nationwide Park’s web site, over 400 bears have been hit by vehicles since 1995. Don’t grow to be part of that statistic.
–Know the very best time to go to Yosemite Nationwide Park. If potential, go to between Might and September — although notice that in summer time the waterfalls could also be dried up, so that you may need to keep away from July and August.
–Perceive what to put on once you go mountaineering. Gadgets like moisture-wicking clothes, sun shades, and a hat may also help hold you secure and comfy.
-Keep on marked mountaineering trails. Going off-trail could cause path erosion.
One of many many viewpoints alongside the Columbia Rock Path in Yosemite Nationwide Park. Photograph through Jessie Festa.