A Hike with a View: Illilouette Falls


Illilouette Falls can be reached via the Panorama Trail, one of the most iconic hikes in Yosemite NP. Several hiking guides list the Panorama Trail as a defining moment in hiking: a trail that will set all other hikes as before and after it. The views along the Panorama Trail are magnificent, indeed.

The hike is fairly easy if you start at Glacier Point because it goes down a trail with spectacular scenes of eastern Yosemite Valley landmarks, including repeated views of Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls, the North Dome, and even the back of the Half Dome. The falls are about 2 miles (3.2 km) from the hiking start. Unfortunately, there is not a designated and safe viewpoint of Illilouette Falls.


A little past the point in the first photo, you get to a particular spot to stop and take a break by the Illilouette Creek, which I show above. We stopped here and tracked back to Glacier Point instead of going forward. If you choose to continue the hike, you can go all the way down to Yosemite Valley, an 8.5-mile (13.5-km) one-way trip. A lot of people make arrangements to leave a second car at Yosemite Valley so they can return to Glacier Point. I believe there is also a shuttle available at that point.

Illilouette Creek

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