Waterwheel Falls

Waterwheel Falls is a multi-step cascade on the Tuolumne River at the head of the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne. At peak flow, water shoots up from the granite ledges in the wheel-like bursts that give the falls their name. This is a strenuous, roughly 19–21-mile round trip from Lembert Dome parking via Glen Aulin, not a quick stop. Go for a full day on the river and its chain of waterfalls; skip it if you're short on time. The return climbs after the trail descends to the falls. Pack all the food and drinking water you'll need; services around Tuolumne Meadows are very limited. Tioga Road is usually open from May or June into November, depending on conditions. Day hikers don't need a wilderness permit; an overnight stay does.

The trail follows the Tuolumne River about 5.5 miles to Glen Aulin, then continues roughly four miles to Waterwheel Falls. Along the way are Tuolumne Falls, White Cascade, California Falls and LeConte Falls; LeConte Falls is a separate waterfall upstream, despite its similar waterwheel-like spray. The route passes through forest and open meadows before dropping toward the rocky overlook above Waterwheel Falls and the canyon. You'll need to make that descent back uphill on the way out.

In high flow, the river hits a submerged granite ledge and is thrown upward in curling arcs. The effect can be strongest during the early snowmelt season, though flow varies year to year. The cascade is spread across several steps rather than one clean plunge; a LiDAR-based estimate puts the combined drop at about 380 feet over at least four steps. From the rocky overlook, frame the upward spray with the canyon behind it; the waterwheel shape depends on having enough flow.

The waterfall had several names before Waterwheel Falls became common. Josiah Whitney called it Rocket Cascade after seeing it in 1874; a 1895 map used Le Conte Cascade. By 1911, Waterwheel Falls had become the common name. The older Le Conte name is one reason the falls can be confused with nearby LeConte Falls, which is a different cascade upstream.