Carlon Falls

May 12, 2012
Carlon Falls
Total distance: 2 miles

The unmarked trail to Carlon Falls began in the Stanislaus National Forest on the north bank of the South Fork Tuolumne River. The trail entered Yosemite National Park through a metal maze.

The metal maze you walk through when entering Yosemite National Park. — The metal maze you walk through when entering Yosemite National Park from this trail.

I hiked alone through the shady forest on my way to Carlon Falls. Spider webs strewn across the trail tickled my face as I broke the invisible snares.

An orb web. (Click to enlarge photo.) — An orb web.

The sandy trail bordering the river led to a private beach.

It turned away from the water then led steeply uphill along an eroded hillside, down a slippery slope and back towards the water.

A tree blocking the trail that I had to climb over. — A tree that I had to climb over because it was blocking the trail.

The closer I came to the falls, the harder it was to see a clear path. Climbing over boulders and rocks, I forged my own way.

Making my way to the river included walking through this rocky patch.

Scanning the area, I eventually found a barely visible animal trail and followed that up to the next level. The granite near the water’s edge was smoothly polished.