Alder Creek Trail

Alder Creek Trail starts from an unmarked pullout on Wawona Road, at a hairpin curve a few miles toward Yosemite Valley from Wawona — itself just up the road from Fish Camp. From there it drops hikers into a stretch of southern Yosemite that sees a fraction of the traffic on the park's famous routes. The payoff is Alder Creek Falls, a multi-tiered cascade reached by a trail that's rated hard and, in sections, genuinely primitive — expect unmarked junctions and a real workout for the distance.

Distance and Difficulty

The out-and-back route to the falls runs 11.8 miles with about 2,129 feet of elevation gain, roughly 6 to 6.5 hours round trip. Hikers who want to see more of the drainage can extend it into the 15.5-mile Alder Creek Loop, which adds elevation and time (about 2,253 feet of gain, 7 to 7.5 hours) but avoids retracing the same trail twice. Both versions are rated hard — this isn't a casual afternoon walk.

What You'll See

• Alder Creek Falls, dropping through a series of cascades in a forested canyon
• Mixed conifer forest, wildflower meadows, and long stretches alongside the creek
• Scattered rails, ties, and other debris from the Yosemite Lumber Company, which clearcut this drainage between 1920 and 1942

Before You Go

The trail is unsigned from the road and stays lightly marked for much of its length, so carry a GPS track or downloaded offline map rather than relying on signage alone. A day hike doesn't require a permit, but overnight camping in the surrounding Yosemite Wilderness does — confirm current wilderness permit requirements with the park before you head out.