Hike past cascades on Chilnualna Falls Trail

A string of fantastic cascades await day hikers on a segment of the Chilnualna Falls Trail in Yosemite National Park’s Wawona area.

While the entire trail heads to a set of three waterfalls spectacular in their own right, families with children will find that too steep and too far of a walk. Still, hiking the first half-mile for a 1-mile round trip offers an impressive view all its own.

Spring best time to go
Getting to the cascades still requires an elevation gain of about 700 feet, so make sure everyone is in shape and feeling up to it. Early summer marks the best time to hike the trail, as more water runs through the cascades.

To reach the trailhead, from Wawona Road/Calif. Hwy. 41, cross the South Fork of the Merced River bridge then turn right on Chilnualna Road (It later becomes Chilnualna Falls Road). In about 1.6 miles is a trailhead parking lot on the right/south. From the lot, walk northeast along the roadside to the trailhead. Be careful to not take the wrong fork here – hikers go right while those on horses go left.

The trail ascends through a largely evergreen forest, roughly paralleling Chilnualna Creek, though the first major switchback takes you away from the water. The creek heads out of the high mountains down into the valley where it joins with the South Fork of the Merced River near the Wawona Pioneer History Center.

Along the way, the Wawona Dome rises over the creek to the northeast. The dome tops out at 6897 feet.

Safety first
Though the granite rocks overlooking the cascades appears tempting to climb upon, don’t. Wet rock is slick, and you don’t want to fall into a rapidly moving stream concealing hard rocks beneath the surface.

You’ll also want to stay on the trail, not just to prevent erosion but to avoid itchy poison oak. In addition, there are some steep drops.

Once you’ve gone about a half-mile or have reached 4900 feet elevation, feel free to turn around.

If with older teens and if you’re in good shape, you can significantly extend the hike by continuing on, though. Several switchbacks head to the valley rim, where you’ll be rewarded with great views of the Wawona area below as well as of Chilnualna Falls, which tumbles some 690 feet over a set of three waterfalls. That’s a strenuous 8.2-miles round trip with a 2,400 feet elevation gain, however.

Find out about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Swinging bridge, swimming holes, natural waterslide await Yosemite NP day hikers

Swinging Bridge Trail marked in yellow

Old-time fun
just a short hike
in Wawona

Day hikers can enjoy an old-fashion afternoon of fun at the swimming hole on the Swinging Bridge Trail in Yosemite National Park’s Wawona area.

The 1.5-mile round trip out-and-back trail described here is a segment of the Swinging Bridge Loop suggested by the National Park Service. That longer loop, however, largely sends hikers on paved roads for much of its 4.5-mile length.

Your kids (and you) will much more enjoy the shorter hike and the time it allows for the trail’s swinging bridge, swimming hole, and natural waterslide. Pack a picnic lunch as well to make a day of it.

Swinging bridge
To reach the trailhead, from Wawona Road (Calif. Hwy. 41), turn north onto Chilnualna Road (Watch the road signs as this street makes lots of turns and becomes Chilnualna Falls Road along the way) Shortly after you cross a bridge over Chilnualna Creek, the road angles through rental cabins. At its end is a small, dirt parking lot for a half-dozen or so cars.

Fairly flat and easy, the trail briefly heads east then swerves southeast toward the river as angling through a forest with some open space between the tree clumps. In spring through early summer, wildflowers abound.

In 0.75 miles, you’ll reach the river and the swinging bridge. You can have lots of fun trying to keep your balance on the bridge. It’s quite sturdy, though, so don’t worry about it falling into the slow-moving South Fork Merced River below.

After crossing the bridge, follow the trail northwest along the river to granite slabs and perfectly placid swimming holes (except during years following a winter of high snowfall). While the granite slabs nicely radiate heat on a sunny day, be prepared for the water to be cold no matter the time of year, as it flows from snowmelt out of mountains to the east.

Natural waterslide
The granite slabs here also are a great spot to sunbathe or to enjoy a picnic lunch. For the latter, you’ll have to bring your own picnic blanket as there are no tables here. Remember to pack out all trash.

A natural waterslide into another pool is upriver southwest of the bridge. Be sure to wet your swimsuit before heading down the slide, however, as the granite can rip holes in the material. In fact, you may not want to bring your best, most expensive swimsuit for this outing.

When ready to head home, cross the swinging bridge and backtrack the trail to your vehicle.

Learn more about national park day hiking trails in my Best Sights to See at America’s National Parks guidebook.