Just got back from Yosemite NP today. All the falls are gushing from the snow melt at YNP. My daughter and I backed packed to the top last Wed. Left around 2:40 pm and got to the top around 6pm. Setup tent, cooked, retired for the night and came down the next day. It’s a strenuous hike. The views are breathtaking. I did not know about “oh my gosh” point until I turned the corner and said “oh my gosh”! The cooling mist from the falls at that point were healing and inspirational to keep going. Thanks for the video.

@AmericasParks

15 күн бұрын

Glad you had a great time on this gem and so encouraged by the time you are investing in your daughter. Memories for a lifetime!

We often experience poetry in words, but in Yosemite, the poetry is in what you see, for no words can capture its beauty. I must say this video may win the award for the most jaw-dropping views. I'm sure it was that and then some in-person. Can't wait to see what else you and Julie do next in that wonderous place :) Thanks for sharing, and much love

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Appreciate those inspiring words, my dear friend!

Thanks for taking me along. I'm not capable of doing it now (if I ever was), due to age. Going with you folks is the next best thing. The filming was superb, the explanation just right, the hike amazing. Thanks again

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

It is a pleasure to have you with us, my friend!

Thank you for posting content like this. And, everyone remember, if you pack it in, PACK IT OUT with you.

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Thank you very much!

This channel has fueled my obsession with Yosemite.

@badlieutenant13

3 ай бұрын

I’ve lived in Fresno my whole life, YNP is in my backyard. I’ll always love seeing videos of YNP.

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

IMHO, one of our finest National Parks!

Look at you both go! Incredible! Base of the upper falls views on the hike were stunning. What a hike! Just Beautiful. The gushing of the falls - and railing view- wow.

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Really appreciate the kind and encouraging words! Enjoy the rest of your weekend, my friends!

@OurNationalAdventure

3 ай бұрын

You too !

Stumbled upon your channel and I love your content. Visiting our National Parks is what my family and I love to do. Next hike....Half Dome? Wife (back then we were dating) and I hiked it long before the passes were required. Scariest thing I ever did/have done is climbing those cables. Keep up the great work. Can't wait for your next post.

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Really enjoyed your kind words! Yes, did the Half Dome hike with my youngest daughter back in 2017 (have the video on the channel). Still my favorite hike with the Grand Canyon coming in at a close second.

Awesome video Randy!! Such a beautiful hike.

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Thank you, Chris! Enjoy the rest of your week!

You made me laugh telling your story about setting off your car alarm. Oops! I understand how you felt though. I would have been mortified. Thank you for a wonderful video.

Incredible hike! Thanks Randy

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed the video!

Fun video to watch and such beautiful scenery. Thanks for taking us along.

Overall scenery and video quality are phenomenal my friend! What a beautiful and unique scenery!

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Really blessed by those kind words!

I did this hike with my dad when I was 9. Best hike of my life.

Loving the falls and the almost 64k subscribers. Up hill alllll the way! Worth every step I bet!

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Thanks buddy!

Thank you both so much for sharing this fantastic adventure in Yosemite Paradise Park ♥The waterfall is breathtakingly beautiful 😍the whole entire park is heavenly. I cannot wait to visit!

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Really glad you enjoyed the video! Hope you can visit there for yourself!

Many thanks for sharing this wonderful hike.

@AmericasParks

Ай бұрын

Thanks! Glad to hear you enjoyed the video!

I did this hike, maybe around 11 years ago, and man, it is a butt kicker! The views are just amazing, though! Plus, just the fact that you're hiking to the top of the tallest waterfall in North America is a great accomplishment! Thanks for bringing me back, Randy! I appreciate the video!

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

You have such a gift for encouragement, my friend!

Another great video. Good production value, good content, and the beauty of God’s creation. God has blessed you! What type of trekking poles do you use?

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Really encouraged by your kind words, brother! I've been using Black Diamond Z poles 120 - really like them. Have a blessed weekend!

Great content, wonderful place for sure👍👍

What an amazing waterfall! So glad you caught it during a high water year! Always enjoy the video tours and how they capture the experience.

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Thanks, my friend! Have a blessed Lord's Day!

Stunning vast sceneries and the gorgeous falls. I really enjoyed this video. Thank you for sharing. Greetings from Japan.

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Much appreciated and greetings back from the US!

AWESOME! we have not done this one because it is way to steep for us to do as a day hike, wow that is a tough one... sooner or later we will backpack it from the top that is the easy way haha/// fantastic look at the hike and views thanks for taking us along. we just started applying to the yosemite lottery for summer. also got a campsite in sequoia for June/ after seeing your big trees walk we needed more.

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

That is great news, my friend! It's so special to line up some summer trips to look forward to! All the best to both of you!

Awesome upload here friends all the best enjoy the weekend cheers 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

9:04 Yosemite is hands down one of the best parks in the United States. No wonder it was first protected as a park in 1864. I'm adding this hike to my bucket list.

@AmericasParks

Ай бұрын

Good call! Yosemite is a definitely a place all people should attempt to see once in their lifetime. All the best to you for a return visit!

Wow, what an amazing hike and view!

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Do true! Glad you enjoyed the video!

Fantastic views. Thank you for sharing.

Did this hike two weeks ago. The way down was killer on my knees, even with poles. Beautiful hike though!

Amazing views. Awesome hike. Love your videos

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Thank you very much!

Always a great hike! Go early if it’s in the summer 🥵

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Definitely a National Park classic!

@robmartin1064

3 ай бұрын

@@AmericasParks we climbed it once w a friend that was training for Marine Corps boot camp…he poo pooed it beforehand; not after haha!

Can't agree more that people who leave their litter in the parks (or anwhere) are nothing but trash themselves! Thank you for picking up the litter that someone who was too careless and lazy left.

Thank you Randy and Julie for taking us along on another thrilling and very beautiful hike. God bless you and your family... Robin 🙏🙏🙏

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Thanks much, Robin! It's been good to have you with us for such a long time. Blessed that you enjoy the videos!

@lesliesmith7835

3 ай бұрын

@@AmericasParks Thank you Randy, I always look forward to your next wonderful adventure. They are so entertaining and very well done!

Amazing Hike and Nature! Yosemite is amazing

Fabulous video! Sooo beautiful!

Hello Americas Parks and WOW! This definitely looks like Angels Landing but with that SPECTACULAR rushing Waterfall! AMAZING!

The only time I visited Yosemite was in the fall and Yosemite Falls was totally dry. I can't wait to get back!

Love Yosemite... and that's great hike! Going back this summer with the family.

❤❤❤

Thank you for your amazing videos!! Love all your videos!!

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Really blessed by your kind words!

WOW 😍 amazing nature,👏👏👏 ... ( PEOPLE¡¡ NO DUMPING ALLOWED , PLEASE 🙏)

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Right on! We need to get that message out to keep our beautiful National Parks clean and preserved for future generations!

So appreciate your videos

@AmericasParks

2 ай бұрын

Really appreciate hearing that!

Beautiful!

Great views from the top of falls.

That is powerful scenery.

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Right on, my friend!

Great Hat Julie!

Wonderful , so Majestic is the high point waterfall . I hope you don't mind me mentioning that it would be a good idea for Julie to have a pair of walking poles or even just one with the trails being uneven. It's also wonderful that you are meeting subscribers on the trail. Keep on hiking, you're doing a wonderful, passionate work that is touching multitudes of adventure seekers. God bless all of your adventures

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Those are really great words, brother! ...and I've encouraged Julie many times regarding the poles, but she needs to make that decision for herself! :)

Excellent video really enjoyed watching 👌scenery stunning

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Really appreciate that!

Another great video of Yosemite by you, Rande. I really liked your hike with your daughter to the top of Half Dome.

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Thank you! Yes, that Half Dome hike still ranks among my favorites as well! Hope you have a blessed weekend!

Stunning views at the top 🙌🏻 This seemed like such a cool hike. I’m also glad mom didn’t wipe out on the trail!

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Thanks Kayla! Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Hahaha, rough start to the day! Wow, some of that trail is right on the edge isn't it! Wow! That is a massive set of falls! Wow, look at those views once the fog lifted! Stunning!

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Yeah, feel like such an idiot some of the times. Nice to be able to laugh at your mistakes! :) All the best to you my friend!

This looks like an awesome hike! Beautiful waterfalls! Yosemite is amazing. When we see trash on the trail like that, we pick it up too and pack it out. Leave no trace! Thanks for sharing! ❤

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Right on, my friends!

-“I can’t believe you talked me into this!!,” your wife said. I believe the quote you used on your earlier youtube videos and your wife was not happy you convinced her to come along on one of your adventures. So, I’m glad both of you enjoyed your trip and adventures in Yosemite. Take care and God bless.

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

That's funny... and you have an incredible memory! She always enjoys the adventures when were done and she savors the memories. lol!

@angelzaragoza9952

3 ай бұрын

@@AmericasParks - Not really I just keep going back through the “Playlist” and rewatch videos of your earlier adventures. That’s where I stumbled on to that “quote.”

love Yosemite, ill have to do this hike next time I'm there.

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

So worth it! A classic National Park hike!

That was WONDERFUL! I could never do that hike, or most of what you've done, thank you for sharing it. I saw a glimpse of GCC Shepards conference awhile back in a video. Would love to hear you preach! Thank you again.

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! Would love to have you visit our church in NJ! Here's a link to my sermons if interested: www.jerseygrace.org/sermons/preacher/u/19/randy-smith

@lorimb4753

3 ай бұрын

@AmericasParks Thank you! I do alot of driving and like to listen to sermons in the car and in the evening. Appreciate the link!

Very nice video! That trail is not to be taken lightly it is indeed a strenuous hike and I have done it dozens of times from the 70’s to the 90’s. One year two people got caught in the pool above the falls and went over. I'm always amazed going up there in the summer seeing people going up there without any water, one has to be prepared for this. Beyond the falls is Yosemite point which is a little higher and has jaw dropping views as well.

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Cool to learn of your many adventures on this trail. What a classic NP hike!

Nice trek!

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Thanks for joining us!

God's country! Beautiful!

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Amen to that!

Will be in Yosemite next month from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 maybe do this trail , we done mist trail last year and attempted half dome no permit unfortunately I tried still a magic day of hiking

@AmericasParks

Ай бұрын

Hope you have a blessed trip at Yosemite! Welcome back to the USA!

Nice! We came in early October a few years ago and the falls weren't nearly as powerful.

Absolutely stunning. I learned the hard way though - never go to Yosemite on a weekend! 2hr drive, 2-3hrs in a line of cars. Turned into a scenic restroom stop and that's it (when we found a parking spot for that on full bladders lol. Ended up going right back out. Definitely a unique place though, especially when it's green

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Oh no... so sorry to hear that! Appreciate the warning for others!

@jshepard152

2 ай бұрын

The National Parks belong to early risers. Hit the entrance gate at 5am and you won't have any trouble.

Hello again from Michigan, and thank you for this series on Yosemite! Even though I've been to 23 national parks (and 34 other NPS units), I'm still surprisingly uneducated on Yosemite, so I'm using your videos to get up to speed. Video was beautiful and the hiking conditions looked ideal! Thank you for slowing it down and taking it in on certain parts. I shared this with a friend from church and he was wondering what time of day you began the hike. Would you be able to share what time of day you started? Whatever time it was, it worked!

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Hey brother, Yosemite is among the best NP's! Half Done is still my all-time favorite hike. Really hope you can get out there! We started just as the sun was coming up to beat the heat, crowds and not feel rushed on the trail. Left the campsite at 4 am and were on the trial at sunrise - I'd say around 6-6:30 am.

@jameswaldecker1236

3 ай бұрын

Thank you! Much appreciated on the reply. Thank you as always for all you do to present God's creation in a manner that glorifies Him!

Randy, I heard a few weeks ago here on You Tube that, due to the many historic disappearances of people, this park was scheduled to be closed this season. Good news that it isn't, but what happened to change it? Wow! What a view! I don't think I'd be able to do the section at 9:25, as I'd be hyperventilating, most likely.

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Wow, heard about that situation, but never knew they considered closing the park.

Was this in July 2023? Me and my wife hiked halfway to Oh My Gosh point on this trail last July... and the conditions looked eerily similar.... got up at 4am, parked at camp 4, waterfall raging well into July from the snow melt and lots of smoke from the Pika fire above north dome. Would've totally said what's up if we saw you! awesome video

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

That is really funny... probably passed each other on the trail! July 21.

@radioasis007

3 ай бұрын

@@AmericasParks I knew it! We were there a week earlier on July 13th, exact conditions 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

Wow, Angel's Landing has multiple climbing points... of which I almost died on, compare to the Mist Trail!

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Yeah, Angel's Landing is still the scariest hike I have ever done. Although by the fourth (and probably final) trip I was getting more comfortable.

Well I hope you gained some more muscles, pastor MacMuscles! Great video.

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Not sure about the muscle gain, but probably lost 5 pounds. lol!

@davepage2466

3 ай бұрын

@@AmericasParksWell that's never a bad thing either!

OMG. The spouse says we did this hike and I only have vague memories of it. Would have been in the late 90s. And I can't find any photos. So, did we do it? Or, is he imagining we did? Or have I blanked it out because it was so physically difficult? Well, I did totally forget a hike to the top of Half Dome...I thought I had only done it twice but actually did it 3 times. Found the photographic evidence. Thank you so much for this trip since I will never do it again. Like: Kalalau Trail, Angels Landing, Half Dome. Wow.

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Great and funny story! You guys sure have hit some of our nation's best trails! Glad to hear about your zeal for adventure! Take care!

Another amazing video! How would you rate the difficulty of this hike (compared with other hikes you've done)? Personally, I felt like I struggled just as much going to the top of Mt. Lassen as I did climbing Half Dome (including the Mist Trail and the cables). I suppose that the Half Dome hike was much longer and the cables were tough for the faint of heart. However, the hike had plenty of horizontal stretches (such as the Little Yosemite Valley). Maybe it was just those particular days and I was better prepared for Half Dome. Someone asked about the hike to the top of Yosemite Falls. I stated that it feels like an amalgamation of the Mist Trail and the Lassen Peak trail (the steps that rise for a couple thousand feet). Your comparison with Angel's Landing is probably even better. Do you have suggestion for a good hiking backpack? I tend to be that guy who carries the water bottles/Gatorade for everyone else. It doesn't take long before that load begins to be felt. I keep wondering if there is a type of backpack that can spread that load better. Otherwise, I suppose that a better back-strengthening routine would be in order.

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Appreciate the comment, my friend! For some reason, Lassen didn't bother me as much. However my wife said that hike was more difficult for her than Yosemite Falls. I wouldn't personally put this hike in the Grand Canyon, St. Helens or H. Dome category, but this was one of my 10 most challenging. As for a backpack, I've been using a Gregory Zulu 30 Liter for about 4 years. Really enjoy it!

How long did it take you to reach just the lower falls area? Also, thanks for picking up the trash, we do the same.

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

If I recall, the trail kind of goes around the lower falls area. If you just want to see that, you can walk right up to the base shortly after the parking lot.

I visited Yosemite few times and this coming July I want to commit to few hikes and one of them is upper Yosemite fall. I don’t really hike often so do you think people who don’t hike much will be able to handle this hike??

@AmericasParks

2 ай бұрын

It's steep, but the trail is rather developed and there are few exposed cliffs. I'd start early and go slow. If you begin to get over-exerted, perhaps turn around that that point. It is a challenging hike so use caution.

Does the top of Taft Point to the bottom of the Yosemite Valley floor really seem that far of a drop?

how does this hike compare to all the hikes you've done in terms of hardness?

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Probably in the top 5 - begin Grand Canyon, Half Dome, Mt. St. Helens, etc.

Can I get a link to where you got your hat? Thx

@AmericasParks

Ай бұрын

Never thought I'd get any interest on that one! :) Actually, I purchased the hat at Walmart on a previous trip in Utah.

How long did it take to go up vs down?

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Average hikers are 6-8 hours for the round trip. We were probably in the 8 hour range due to the filming. Roughly twice as long to get up as compared to descending to the base.

@base4267

3 ай бұрын

@@AmericasParks I only asked because I'm around the same age and shape as you. My wife isn't in the best shape as she has scoliosis. She can do Disney all day and several mile hikes but I think this may too much for her especially being mostly uphill through rocks. Maybe I will solo this one 🤔

I have hiked all trails up and out of the valley and the best views are on the way up. There is no real good view and not worth the hike to the top and down over the edge to look down at it but if you just want to feel good about getting to the top more power to you.

@AmericasParks

3 ай бұрын

Appreciate your perspective! Yes, the views of the falls on this like are limited. Kind of expected more myself, but it was cool to make it to the top of the tallest waterfall in N. America. Fun goal to set and thrill to accomplish.