Wildcat Falls & The Cascades - Yosemite National Park

The Cascades from the El Portal Road viewing area

Spring is the perfect time for waterfall adventures in Yosemite, and this week we’re exploring two lesser visited, yet strikingly beautiful waterfalls located inside the park. Join me at Wildcat Falls and the Cascades.

Wildcat Falls

Located less than 3 miles from the Arch Rock Yosemite Valley entrance (coming from the El Portal area), Wildcat Falls is comprised of seven thin drops rushing down over 700 feet. While it’s the first waterfall visible when entering the park, this beautiful waterfall is often overlooked by park visitors. If you don’t know to look up for it, you’d probably miss it entirely driving by on your way to more popular Yosemite Valley locations.

A short stroll along the unmarked single-track trail from El Portal Road (Highway 140) leads you into rich vegetation and a mossy pool at the base of the waterfall. Trees and lush landscape obscure hundreds of feet of falls above, but from the base of the falls you can see water crashing down the last 50 feet. This hike is under 1/2 a mile round trip, but it’s important to note Wildcat Falls is a seasonal waterfall. Wildcat Creek is fed by snowmelt and often runs dry by mid-Summer, so plan a Spring trip (April & May are often best) to see this park attraction in all its glory.

Rock scrambling towards the base of Cascade Falls

The Cascades

The Cascades drop nearly 600 feet starting near the Big Oak Flat Road and finishing just above Highway 140. Tamarack Creek merges with Cascade Creek just above the falls, plunging into the Merced Gorge. During the Spring snow melt, you can enjoy a second segment of falling water at the top of falls as it partially funnels towards the cliff.

The Cascades seen from the El Portal Road viewing area

While there are multiple spots to view the Cascades, the marked lookout point is located a 1/4 mile from Wildcat Falls at the Cascade Falls parking area. The pullout for this spot is on El Portal Road (Highway 140) along the Merced Canyon about 3 miles east of the Arch Rock Entrance (the Western Entrance) of the park. A bit of scrambling and rock hopping is required to get up close views at the base of this waterfall, and as with most Yosemite waterfalls, the Cascades are best viewed during the Spring months with the snow melt.

Rock scrambling near the base of Cascade Falls

Pools created near the base of the Cascades

Know Before You Go

• As with most of Yosemite’s waterfalls, plan your trip in late Spring or early Summer for the most impressive water flow.

• There are restrooms and trashcans at the Cascades Picnic Area, which is halfway between Wildcat Falls and the Cascades along El Portal Road.

• Always check the NPS website prior to visiting Yosemite for road closures, weather information, and visiting guidelines. At the time of this article, reservations are required to enter the park, which can be obtained here.

• Please remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints. If you’re not familiar with the Leave No Trace Principles, consider familiarizing yourself with them before your trip. Please help leave this special place better than you found it, so its natural beauty can be enjoyed for years to come.

Top 10 Yosemite Attractions

In Summary & Behind the Blog Video

Thanks so much for joining me this week in Yosemite. For a virtual visit to these great waterfalls, see my Behind the Blog YouTube video below. Until next week I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.

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