Little Yosemite via Canyon View Trail
Sunol, California
Details
Distance
3.01 miles
Elevation Gain
705 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Description
Added by Ed Francisco
Little Yosemite in Sunol is a scenic hike offering breathtaking oak lined canyon views and dramatic waterfalls. It's a short 2 miles upstream from the visitors center and is open 8am to dusk all year long. There are camping options available as well.
Please note this is a fragile ecosystem and watershed. There is NO swimming allowed in Alameda Creek and trespassing is prohibited on Water Department lands that are not accessible to the public. You can learn more about the restrictions and the area at ebparks.org.
After entering the kiosk you’ll be able to pick up a brochure with a map at the trail head. A wooden bridge leads over Alameda Creek and to the right you’ll find Canyon View Trail, which will take you to the falls. The trail narrows after the McCorkle Trail junction and you’ll notice a steep drop off to the right where you can enjoy epic views of the oak canyon. After the canyon, the trail evens out and you’ll hear the falls from Little Yosemite. Here you’ll be able climb the boulders along the gorge with cascading waterfalls. If you’d like to take a direct trail back to the entrance, there’s a wide fire road along the creek.
A permit is required to camp overnight. Gates are locked at night so campers must arrive before dusk. Guided horse rides are also available through Western Trail Riding Services.
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Little Yosemite via Canyon View Trail Reviews
One of the first hikes I went on. Follow the main road/trail then go down towards the water. We missed the entry to the water but found our way down
4.0
It's a fun little hike where you get to climb down some rocks to the water. There are also lots of rocks in the river to walk on.
4.0
When the water is flowing in the spring, Little Yosemite is a site to behold! Even when the water level is low, it’s find to explore the boulders of the creek bed. This park feels more remote than some of the others in the East Bay. In the spring, the green hills are so beautiful. Flowers blooming everywhere. The smell of blooming buckeyes in the air. There has been ongoing construction on a nearby dam, which can be seen a bit during the hike. A bit of an eye sore, but still a hike worth hiking. There are multiple trails you can take to modify the hike and make it harder/longer. A good hike for some kids.
5.0
my friends and I went on a hike/ adventure to the water falls and had a blast. we found the perfect place to jump off small rocks & just explore.
5.0
Definitely bring lots of water as it's mostly uncovered. The hike is gorgeous with its sweeping hillside. Speaking of which there's a quarry close enough to see and hear that's taken down a hill face. Unfortunate it's right on the border of the national park. The creek/falls itself are accessible by car and that means visitors that aren't accustomed to leave-no-trace ethics. I brought a garbage bag and carried out about 15 water bottles, trash, 6 pieces of clothing, a baby towel and a soccer ball out of the creek only within a hundred foot span. This is devastating to the environment. Other than that, this trail is lovely and may need to be closed to give it some time to recover human interference.
4.0
I'm sure there would be more water in the winter but we went in August and had a great time! Love that the park is dog friendly. We enjoyed the views on the canyon trail and found it to be a nice easy hike. The best part was definitely getting to the falls and climbing the boulders! Great fun quick trip!
4.0
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
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