Exploring
Yosemite on foot
is truly the best
way to soak in the
spectacular scenery
and avoid most of
the crowds. Yosemite
has numerous trails
all offering extraordinary
views and unparalled
experiences. Camping
is not allowed on
the valley floor
outside of established
campgrounds, so all
hikes in the valley
are day hikes. Many
take nearly a day
to complete. For
all hikes, plan to
get a very early
start and bring plenty
of water and food
for the day. Here
are three of our
favorite routes:
Half
Dome Trail
Description: Very
Strenuous
Many
consider Half
Dome the ultimate
Yosemite hike. The
cables that assist
hikers up the last
400 feet are only
up from late May
through early October: Always
check for an update
on conditions and weather before
setting out. Do
not ascend to the
top of Half Dome
if storm clouds are
visible anywhere
in the sky.
Distance: 17
miles roundtrip
(10 – 12
hours)
Elevation
Gain: 5,000
ft.
Trailhead:
From the Happy Isles
shuttle bus stop
(#16), find the Mist
Trail.
The
first four miles
climbs out of Yosemite
Valley, past Vernal
and Nevada Falls,
towards Little Yosemite
Valley Campground.
There are a several
routes to choose
from, all which provide
stunning views of
the falls.
After
about 1.5 miles,
you'll cross a footbridge
with a view of Vernal
Falls. The trail
ascends to the top
of the 317-foot falls
and then bridges
back across the Merced
River. Soon
you'll see the spectacular
Nevada Falls. A
series of switchbacks
leads you to the
brink of the falls--nearly
halfway to your destination.
At the trail junction,
turn left onto the
John Muir Trail.
After about a mile,
you’ll
see the Half Dome
Trail on the left.
Clouds
Rest
Description: Strenuous.
At
9,926 feet in elevation,
the summit of Clouds
Rest rewards you
with the best
views of Half Dome
and Yosemite Valley.The
last three hundred
yards is a bit harrowing
because the trail
drops off on both
sides. Nevertheless,
it is safer and easier
than the final ascent
of Half Dome. Carry
plenty of water,
especially in summer.
Distance: 14.4
miles round-trip,
7- 10 hours
Elevation
Gain:
2,300 feet
Trailhead: Sunrise
Lakes Trailhead at
Tenaya Lake
The
trail begins relatively
easy and then begins
a tough climb that
crests on a ridge
at about 3 miles.
Stay straight at
the junction. The
trail will drop steeply
for about ½ a
mile and then ascends
at a more moderate
pace. You’ll
reach another junction
at about 5 miles. Continue
straight towards
the ridge. Near
the top you will
have to walk across
a narrow ridge and
do a bit of scrambling,
but the views are
well worth it.
Panorama
Trail
The
Panorama Trail is
a showcase of natural
wonders, including
Half Dome, Liberty
Cap, Royal Arches,
Tenaya Canyon and
close-up views of
three waterfalls
Difficulty: Moderate
to Strenuous
Distance: 8.5
miles (one way) (4 – 6
hours)
Elevation
gain/loss: 3,200-foot
elevation loss, one
750-foot gain
Trailhead: Glacier
Point. (To make the
one-way option work,
take a shuttle bus
from Yosemite Lodge
to Glacier Point
to start the trip.)
From
Glacier Point, the
Panorama Trail descends
into the river canyon
on a series of switchbacks
that bottom out at
Illilouette waterfall.
From here, ascend
to the junction of
the Mist Trail. Turn
left and again enjoy
going downhill, past
Vernal Falls.
High
Sierra Camps Loop
High
in Yosemite's beautiful
backcountry, are
five rustic camps
spaced a days’ hike
apart along a loop
trail. Overnight
stays include full
dinner and breakfast. Box
lunches for the next
day on the trail
are available at
an additional cost
and may be ordered
the night before
departure.
The
camps are operated
by DNC Parks & Resorts,
which holds a lottery
each December for
trips the following
summer. Applications
for the lottery are
accepted between
September 1 and December
1. To download an
application, visit
the YosemitePark.com reservation
website. Even
if you are not chosen
in the lottery, you
may still be able
to reserve leftover
spots after the lottery
has been filled.
You may also hike
the loop and camp
at other designated
wilderness campsites
along the way. Permits are
required and may
be reserved in advance
(recommended) or
on the day of/day
prior to your trip.
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 47.6
miles round trip
(5 – 7
days)
Elevation
Gain: 2380
feet
Trailhead: Glen
Aulen Trailhead near
Lembert Dome (8,500
feet)
High
Sierra Camps (Counterclockwise
loop):
--Glen
Aulin (7,800 feet): 5.2
miles from trailhead
--May
Lake (9,270 feet): 13.3
miles from trailhead
--Sunrise
(9,400 feet): 21.1
miles from trailhead
--Merced
Lake (7,150 feet): 31.0
miles from trailhead
--Vogel
sang (10,500 feet):
39.0 miles from trailhead
Other
Yosemite Trail
Descriptions.
YOSEMITE
VALLEY CAMPGROUNDS
Most
campsites in Yosemite
National Park are
on a reservation
system. The National
Park Reservations
Service takes reservations
five months in advance.
Reservations can
be made online or
by phone: 800/436-7275.
Camping
information
Campgrounds
YOSEMITE
VALLEY LODGES
DNC
Parks & Resorts
at Yosemite
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