A Hike with a View: Illilouette Falls


Happy World Environment Day!

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 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 continue the hike, you can go to Yosemite Valley, an 8.5-mile (13.5-km) one-way trip. Many people make arrangements to leave a second car at Yosemite Valley to return to Glacier Point. I believe there is also a shuttle available at that point.

Illilouette Creek

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22 Responses

  1. margaret21
    | Reply

    What an appetising looking walk!

  2. Anne Sandler
    | Reply

    Beautiful images Egidio!

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thank you very much, Anne. That trail is one of the most scenic we’ve ever hiked.

  3. myrelar
    | Reply

    <3 <3 <3

  4. Aletta - nowathome
    | Reply

    I love photos of this beautiful waterfall and surrounding areas.

  5. Amy
    | Reply

    What a hiking adventure! Beautiful photos, Egidio!

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thank you, Amy. We were so pleased with that hike. It was wonderful.

  6. Writing to Freedom
    | Reply

    Great images Egidio and again I’m struck by how much you get out exploring. I did a lot of exploring our National Parks in my 30s and 40s, but haven’t done so in years. Kudos.

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Brad, thank you so much for your comments. When we were still working, our vacations were always planned one year in the US (national parks) and the next in a foreign country. That is how we got to see so many parks. Nowadays, we tend to go back to places we’ve seen and enjoyed before. Thank you.

  7. Toonsarah
    | Reply

    Beautiful views! I do love waterfalls 🙂

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thank you, Sarah. There is something so powerful about waterfalls, big or small.

  8. Beautiful clicks!
    What was the temperature, when you were trekking?

  9. Tra Italia e Finlandia
    | Reply

    Un percorso molto pittoresco. 👍

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