ILLILOUETTE FALLS

Illilouette Fall represents several polar extremes among the waterfalls in Yosemite Valley. On one hand, it is the most difficult of the major waterfalls in Yosemite Valley to properly view - requiring a moderate 4-mile hike from Glacier Point to reach - and as such is without question the least visited of the valley's major waterfalls. Though the falls can be distantly seen from the John Muir Trail between Happy Isles and the Vernal Falls bridge, the angle at which the falls drop makes it nearly invisible outside of the heavy flow season (and even then the profile view is that of a very narrow column of water). Proper up-close views of the falls require a head-on view from the rim of the gorge, where the true nature of the explosive 381-foot tempest can be appreciated as it thunders into the craggy canyon. 

On the other hand, Illilouette Creek is the most voluminous and consistent tributary of the Merced River within Yosemite Valley and in following the falls are in full display for a longer period than any other waterfall in the valley, and do not run dry during the late summer months. We have not yet been able to find trustworthy data documenting the volume of water present in Illilouette Creek itself, but operating under the assumption that it's volume is - on average - greater than Yosemite Creek, we can infer based on the stream gauge on the Merced at the Happy Isles bridge that the springtime volume of Illilouette Creek can regularly eclipse 300 cubic feet per second, thanks to the 62-square mile drainage area.

HISTORY AND NAMES

Also Known as: Glacier Fall, South Canyon Fall, Too-lool-lo-we-ak
Illilouette Fall is the Official name of this waterfall
According to Lafayette Bunnell the Indian name for this waterfall was Too-lool-lo-we-ak, but suggested that it's literal interpretation was not appropriate for everyday use (what that translation is seems to have been lost in time). Bunnell proposed the name South Canyon Fall in following but this led to confusion in that the stream was thought to be the South Fork of the Merced River (which in actuality lies much further south). Josiah Whitney proposed the fall be called by its Indian name, which may have been bastardized into Illilouette, to which Bunnell then countered with the name Glacier Fall (for nearby Glacier Point) because the word "Illilouette" isn't an Indian word. In the end Whitney's suggested naming convention won out, but the real meaning of Illilouette remains unknown to this day.

OUR THOUGHTS

Even though it's one of the five largest waterfalls in Yosemite Valley, Illilouette Fall doesn't quite have the 
same luster and visual impact as the others do - whether this is due to the fairly limited viewpoint looking down on the falls from above, or because you aren't afforded the same kind of grand, sweeping vistas of the falls as are available at Yosemite, Bridalveil or Nevada Falls is not immediately clear and is probably subject to individual interpretation. Don't take this as an indictment against the falls however, Illilouette Fall is still an extremely impressive waterfall, and for those who find themselves at Glacier Point looking for something to do, the hike down is certainly highly recommended, and all personal feelings aside it is still one of the best waterfalls in California. 

LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS

Illilouette Fall is best accessed from Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park - itself located about 30 circuitous miles from Yosemite Village via the Wawona Road and the Glacier Point Road (consult a park map when visiting). From the parking area find the large metal signs indicating the Panorama Trail which heads south from the trails heading to the viewpoints. The signs seem to have their distances a bit off, because one suggests the falls are 2-miles away, while the next says 1.6 miles. The actual distance is about 2 1/4 miles each way - stay left at the signed junction at the 1.7 mile mark. The viewpoint for the falls is unsigned but is fairly obvious. No guardrails are present at the viewpoint, and the ground is somewhat crumbly, so get no closer to the edge than your are comfortable with.


Getting There:  The trailhead is at the terminus of Glacier Point Road - a 16-mile (25 km) drive from the Glacier Point turnoff. From the South entrance to Yosemite, swing left on highway 41 and head 17 miles (28 km) to Glacier Point Road. From Yosemite Valley, take highway 41 nine miles (14.5 km) to the same road.

Illilouette Fall is a 370 feet (110 m) waterfall in Yosemite National Park. It is located on the Illilouette Creek, a left tributary of the Merced River, in a small side canyon directly across from Vernal Falls, and is visible from the trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls. The best vantage point is from the Panorama Trail as it descends from Glacier Point.

To get to this waterfall you need to drive to the top of Glacier Point and hike down to the waterfall. When you get to Glacier Point, walk toward the rim and you will see a dirt path and trail head sign on your right. This will be the trail head for the Panorama hike.