This short walk puts you right at the base of Lower Yosemite Falls, the spot where Yosemite Creek finally reaches the floor of the valley after plummeting some 2,454 feet. Lower Yosemite Falls makes up just a fraction of that though, rising just 310 feet. In late summer, these falls are dry, but in spring they come to life in a deafening roar and soaking spray.
The trail is paved to the bridge and accessible to wheelchairs, although help will be needed with a short steep section at the very end. The start of the trail provides the only view in the park of Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls one right above the other. The swath of trees was cut here specifically for that purpose. The trailhead is in back of a large parking lot across from Yosemite Lodge. Expect a lot of company on this trail.
On the night of a full moon in spring, hike this trail to the bridge and you get a sight you can rarely see anywhere else, a lunar rainbow! The full moon in Yosemite is so intense and bright and the falls flow so strongly that a rainbow is created in the mist even at night.