There’s a reason Yosemite Falls is the most visited landmark in Yosemite Valley. Quite frankly, it’s a spectacular sight.  May is usually the best time to see Yosemite Falls at its peak; and the good news is, there’s a nice wheelchair-accessible trail to the base of this Yosemite landmark.

Along the Way

Located about 150 miles east of San Francisco, Yosemite National Park (www.nps.gov/yose) is certainly a doable day trip from the Bay Area. That said, it will be a long day; and although you’ll certainly have time to enjoy the falls, one day is simply not enough time for a comprehensive visit. So if it’s your first visit to the park, plan to spend several days there; however, if you’re a repeat visitor who just wants to see the falls, then get an early start and make a day of it.

From the San Francisco area, head east through the Central Valley and connect to Highway 120 to Yosemite. The Priest  Station Café (www.prieststation.com), which is located at the top of Priest Grade, makes an excellent lunch stop.

Built in 2010, the Priest Station Café stands near the site of the historic stage and wagon stop on the route to Yosemite. And although the Anker family wanted to preserve the local history of Priest Station when they built the restaurant, they also did a nice job of incorporating wheelchair access into it.

There’s accessible parking in the paved lot, with level access to the restaurant and to an accessible family restroom. There’s good pathway access inside the restaurant, as well as on the deck; but try and snag a spot outside if you can.

The lunch menu features a variety of sandwiches, burgers and salads; and although they’re known for their hamburgers, they also have a number of vegan options. Don’t forget to try their home made potato chips — you won’t be disappointed. After lunch, save some time to check out the historic photos inside the restaurant, before you continue on to Yosemite.

Hit the Trail

For the easiest access to lower Yosemite Fall, park in the day use area in Yosemite Village and take the free shuttle bus to Yosemite Falls. All park buses are lift-equipped, and it’s really the easiest way to get around Yosemite Valley.

The accessible trail to Lower Yosemite Fall is located on the east side of the falls, with the trailhead directly in back of the shuttle bus stop. This gently graded paved trail leads to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall, and has a number of pull outs, resting spots and benches along the way.

The trail on the west side of the falls is also paved, however it’s not accessible, due to the steep grade near the top; so be careful which trail you take. If you’re walking, use the shuttle bus stop as a landmark and go from there The two trails join at a bridge at the base of Lower Yosemite Falls to form a one-mile loop. And if you can’t do distances at all, you can still get a great view of the falls from the shuttle bus stop.

Tips and Tricks

In normal years Yosemite Falls is just a mere trickle by July and almost nonexistent in August, but in years of a heavy snowfall it can run well into the fall. Generally speaking, if you want to see the falls at their finest, plan for an early season visit. Additionally, it’s a good idea to take a light jacket with you, if you don’t want to get wet from the spray at the base of the falls.

And if you visit between Memorial Day and Labor Day, be prepared for crowds. Try and avoid holiday weeks and weekends, as these are the busiest times; and if you absolutely have to come in summer, shoot for a midweek visit.

Last but not least, make sure and get your America the Beautiful Access Pass for free admission to all National Parks and Recreation Areas. This lifetime pass is available to any US resident with a permanent disability, and can be obtained at any national park entrance. For more information on the America the Beautiful Access Pass, visit www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm.

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