23 min
Overview
Start from the end of the main Foresta Road near the last house where the paved road ends and narrows a bit into an unpaved dirt road. Proceed gently downhill, paralleling Crane Creek. Don't be alarmed when the road veers away from the creek, it soon turns back and crosses a bridge at the falls themselves. The best time to visit is during the spring runoff or after a large rainstorm, as the falls will be at their most dramatic after recent precipitation or melt. Despite its proximity to the Valley, you're likely to have this area to yourself since it is such a little-known spot.<br><br>Foresta Falls descends a total of about 200 feet, but the part that's most accessible and safe to reach is the still-impressive 60 foot cascade that flows in a wide spray across rocky ledges. The falls are split somewhat by the footbridge making it hard to visually appreciate the whole drop. It is possible to reach the upper cascades with some determined bush whacking but this is not recommended due to ticks, poison oak and slippery cliffs.
Trail Stats
1.5 km
0 m
1313 m
1216 m
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Photos
The pool below the falls before it crosses under the bridge.
The pool below the falls before it crosses under the bridge.
Flowers can be found along the trail, even in the fall. This Blue-pod Lupine was photographed in November, as the area is warmer than Yosemite Valley and flowers are in bloom later in the season.
Flowers can be found along the trail, even in the fall. This Blue-pod Lupine was photographed in November, as the area is warmer than Yosemite Valley and flowers are in bloom later in the season.
Leaving the Foresta community, you pass back into Yosemite National Park. The sign was damaged in the El Portal fire in 2014.
Leaving the Foresta community, you pass back into Yosemite National Park. The sign was damaged in the El Portal fire in 2014.
While the bridge was damaged during the El Portal Fire and the reason the road is closed to traffic, it is great for crossing the creek to get a better view of the falls.
While the bridge was damaged during the El Portal Fire and the reason the road is closed to traffic, it is great for crossing the creek to get a better view of the falls.
The area below the falls is littered with burnt and damaged trees from the El Portal fire.
The area below the falls is littered with burnt and damaged trees from the El Portal fire.
In the fall, the trees change color along the trail.
In the fall, the trees change color along the trail.
The trail is an old road that leaves the Foresta community and makes its way to the falls.
The trail is an old road that leaves the Foresta community and makes its way to the falls.
Even though the signs say that the road is closed, it is open for pedestrians to make their way to the falls. When parking, be respectful of the residents who live in the area.
Even though the signs say that the road is closed, it is open for pedestrians to make their way to the falls. When parking, be respectful of the residents who live in the area.
From the trail, you can see several cascades and pools in Cane Creek above the falls.
From the trail, you can see several cascades and pools in Cane Creek above the falls.
Evidence of the El Portal Fire in 2014 can be seen on the surrounding hills.
Evidence of the El Portal Fire in 2014 can be seen on the surrounding hills.
Looking up from the bottom of Foresta Falls.
Looking up from the bottom of Foresta Falls.
Foresta Falls in the fall, after a rainstorm had passed through the Yosemite area, re-vitalizing the waterfalls.
Foresta Falls in the fall, after a rainstorm had passed through the Yosemite area, re-vitalizing the waterfalls.