Alder Creek Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Best season is mid-may to October. The relatively low elevation of this trail makes it a good early season option when other trails are still too snowy.

This trail starts directly uphill from the Wawona horse stables, off Chilnualna Road. The trail starts with a gentle incline, but gets steeper as it climbs a hillside through open stands of oak and manzanita. The trail becomes more exposed and passes between encroaching mountain misery bushes with their sticky residue.

After a breather while traversing nearly level ground at 4600 feet, a considerably steeper section follows. Continue the ascent of Turner Ridge, contouring around its base on the west side. The grade mellows near the top and reaches a small saddle and junction with the trail coming from Mosquito Creek.

Stay right here, heading east and uphill through dense, shadowy forest. Contour around a serene hillside that forms the headwaters for Mosquito Creek. For a time, the trail follows the railroad bed that the defunct Yosemite Lumber Company used to harvest sugar pine. Between 1920 and 1942 this area was clearcut. You can still find old wooden ties, rails, and scattered debris.

Travel about 1 mile along the rail grade through blasted out sections and over small streams that drain into Alder Creek. After some travel over more mellow terrain, you hear the crashing Alder Fall, and soon it comes into view. There are nice spots here to sit and have a rest or snack. Off-trail bushwhacking to the base of the falls is not recommended. (Note that the falls are much less impressive during droughts or late in summer)

Continue north along the railroad grade, making good time on the relatively flat ground. Join Alder Creek where it is pinched into a steep valley below Yosemite National Park Road. Follow alongside Alder Creek for the remainder of the route, crossing over to the western bank around the 5.5 mile mark. Soon after, the Deer Camp Road Bypass junction appears on the right. Stay left at this fork, continuing north and crossing more tributaries. The trail ends by climbing steeply up to Hennes Ridge Drive.

Bear clover, fiesta flower, California Indian pink, lupine, snow plant, manzanita,cedar, oak, sugar pine, dogwood, mushrooms. Bears.