Snow Creek Falls, Waterfall cascade in Yosemite Valley, United States

Snow Creek Falls is a long series of cascades at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley, dropping through a steep gorge on a sizeable stream that rises at May Lake to the north. The falls descend east of the trail that climbs from above Mirror Lake toward North Dome and other north-rim destinations. At its height it is the second-highest waterfall in Yosemite National Park.

This waterfall system became part of Yosemite when the park was established as a protected landscape in the late 1800s. Trails and viewpoints were developed over the following decades to give visitors access to the falls.

The falls take their name from Snow Creek, the stream that rises at May Lake to the north and feeds the cascade. The trail that passes the falls above Mirror Lake continues to North Dome and other north-rim destinations, so hikers see the gorge on the way to those viewpoints.

The falls drop east of the trail that leaves Yosemite Valley above Mirror Lake toward North Dome and other north-rim destinations. Reaching them means a long climb on that route, so allow a full day and carry water. The stream comes from May Lake to the north, and flow is highest during snowmelt.

Snow Creek Falls is the second-highest waterfall in Yosemite National Park, yet it has no single plunge: the stream from May Lake drops through a steep gorge in a long series of cascades. The trail to North Dome passes east of the falls above Mirror Lake.