Little Nellie Falls Trail

Little Nellie Falls Trail is a 5.6-mile out-and-back walk from Big Meadow along Old Coulterville Road to Little Crane Creek. The broad, fairly smooth old road climbs gently; allow about two to four hours for the walk and stops. Most of the route is inside Yosemite, while the falls sit just over the boundary in Stanislaus National Forest. This is a quiet, low-key outing for a small waterfall and a meadow view, not a steep Yosemite climb.

Start at the right fork at Big Meadow's southeast end and follow the road along the meadow's south side before it turns north. Take the right fork at each of the two 1st Street junctions and at Flying Spur Road, then stay left at the last fork; the right branch climbs toward Crane Flat Campground. The stored map follows the road one way and reports the full return distance separately. It ends at the closest mapped road point to the falls, about 440 feet from the mapped waterfall location; the short final approach to the creek is not mapped, so check the tread before leaving the road.

The falls are about 15 feet high, with smaller cascades and a shallow pool below. Spring, especially April and May, is the best-supported time for stronger flow and wildflowers; Indian rhubarb may grow from the streambed below the falls. The picnic-table clearing is across the creek and has no bridge. Reaching it can mean finding a safe rock or log crossing, and it is fine to enjoy the falls from your side instead.

There is a small roadside pullout at the Old Coulterville Road fork on the southeast side of Big Meadow, but no formal trailhead or designated lot. An old creek bridge comes shortly after the meadow. Its current pedestrian status and condition are unclear, so verify safe, legal access before setting out and do not cross if it looks unsound. Pets are not allowed on this unpaved route through Yosemite.