Cascade Creek (Yosemite National Park)

Cascade Creek is one of several Creeks feeding the Merced River on the way into Yosemite Valley, and offers a very short sneak route with a shuttle (shown on map). Also, there is a much longer route with or without shuttle (also shown on map). As well, Tamerak Creek is another option doing the longer approach and it has much less flow Cascade Creek, thus offering possible runs in spring when Cascade Creek flow is extreme.

For the Sneak and Shuttle route park one vehicle at the lower parking area 37.723877, -119.712287 (El Portal Road / Hwy 140), drive to the middle parking area 37.727539, -119.712672 (on Big Oak Flat Road / goes to Hwy 120), and hike directly under the bridge adjacent to the middle parking area.

There are many trees, big rocks and plenty of width to Cascade Creek to establish anchors almost anywhere to descend the drops. Depending on where each drop is rigged, the drop lengths and water hazards will vary dramatically. It’s certainly possible to run the creek staying dry, or be totally hammered by huge water flow. For the sneak and shuttle run of the lower creek in low to moderate flow: R-bonus 40' off the Hwy 120 bridge, or just hike down the steep slope DCL side. R0 30-50' anchor off various trees or rocks to get down waterfall just downstream of the bridge, or hike down a use trail DCR. R1 90' ghost off a large tree on an easy accessible shelf DCL, down the water course ramp with a rope (and Fiddlestick) eating crack R2 ~80' pinch point and jammed log, over the rounded ledge straight into the waterfall! R3 ~100' rock horn behind a bush about 50 left of R2 touchdown, down several ledges, vertical to a sizeable ledge with waterflow. If you rappel to the huge sloping ledge further down (~150 feet) you miss the R4 bolts that align you with the R5 bolts, and you will have to work down slimy rock slab and waterflow to get to the R5 bolts. Alternatively, you can cross over the waterflow on the huge slab and use the last bolted anchor for Tamarack Creek which is totally out of the water flow R4 ~100' bolts far DCL side of the sizeable ledge. R5 280/130' traverse DCL to bolts on flat ledge. 280' to the pool at the bottom, or 130' to small ledge behind a huge flake. R6 150' from the bolts behind the flake which may be in heavy spray to powerful waterflow. From the terminal pool stay far DCL on the boulders to a light trail.