The Four Mile Trail is reviewed as having the best views for a hike from the valley and I agree. It…read morehas the best ROI for views as there are constant changing views of Yosemite Valley and Yosemite Falls. The hike can be difficult at times as much of it is exposed to the sun, so I recommend going as early as possible. We also encountered rattlesnakes going up and coming back down, so it might be good to be cautious during the rocky middle section. Glacier Point at the end of the trail is absolutely beautiful. It has views of all of the major peaks around. There's also a store with cold drinks and snacks to fuel your way back down.

Because Glacier Point Road was closed for construction (all of 2022 unfortunately), there were only…read more3 ways to reach Glacier Point. All 3 are very strenuous and at least 9 miles round trip, but the 4-mile trail is the least intensive. However this is not stroll in the park. My mother and I (between beginner and intermediate in physical ability and hiking experience) hiked from 7am - 2pm round trip. It took us 3.5 hrs to reach Glacier point from the valley (4.6 miles), we spent about an hour at the top, then took another 2.5 hrs to hike down. We stopped often for pictures and short breaks. The views get better along the way, but it probably wasn't until 2 miles into the hike that they became more spectacular and we started taking photos. The trail itself is easy to follow, dry, and easy to descend. It has roughly 3 sets of switchbacks, the 1st which gets you roughly 2 miles in (start of nice views), the 2nd which takes you to Union point (3 miles in, has a descent panoramic view of valley), and the last set which brings you close to glacier point. There aren't really any easier parts of the trail, it's a constant ascent (3200 feet total). It is a tougher trail, but if you start early enough in the day, bring lots of water and snacks, and take breaks when needed, it is do-able. The views at the top make it all worth it!

BEWARE TOURISTS. THIS HIKE IS NOT FOR YOU…read more I'm in my thirties and not an avid hiker. I'm not going to sugar coat this review because of the views. I'm going to be brutally honest about this trail, which changes from nicely paved dirt path to treacherous piles of jagged rocks (sometimes slippery if you're at Mist trail) that you need to figure out how to get down or up (depending on what direction you are taking) without falling and hurting yourself badly. Also, keep in mind there are other people sharing this path with you in the opposite direction so you not only need to navigate through the treachery of the rocks but also the people sharing them with you. I had planned to do the four mile trail (from Glacier point) because it was shorter but the Glacier point gift shop employee Jeremy said he had done this hike in 2 hours with his 40 year old mom and all he took was one water bottle with no problem. LIES!! The other gift shop employee Olivia said panorama trail was longer but definitely easier than four mile because it was less steep and all downhill. MORE LIES!!! Its because of what they both said that changed my mind to switch from four mile to panoramic trail. This trail is labeled as strenuous but should have "treacherous" added to it. There are parts of the trail where there are no signs and you lose your way because there is no clear path on where to go. At Vernal Falls, after you cross the bridge, you have to walk up a huge slab of rock to figure out which direction to go to continue on (you go right). It was late in the afternoon for us so there wasn't anyone around for us to follow. The bad signage, or lack thereof, was frustrating. If you see squiggly marks on the map (that you can get at the visitor centers) it means you have to walk down jagged/slippery rocks. 99% do not have rails. You could fall hard on your way to Neveda Falls or fall straight down slippery rocks at Mist trail (your shoes will get wet--mine were completely soaked). Some of the trail were paved dirt roads (which was what I was expecting, including the switchbacks) but many parts of this trail were just rocks stacked on top of rocks done by Yosemite staff to create a challenging hiking experience. You are climbing down these rocks for miles non stop. Your knees will hate you. There are no bathrooms. The first bathroom is at Nevada Falls. The first place where you will see a water fountain to refill your water is after Vernal Falls on the Mist trail and before you reach the Happy Isles Nature Center. After you reach the Happy Isles Nature center, you still have to walk a bit to the #16 shuttle stop. Our driver was ending her shift so she was making select stops. Thankfully she stopped at stop #8 to the Yosemite Valley Lodge where we had left our car. We got to our car by 8pm and took off for our hotel by 830pm. We were exhausted and now had to drive home down a winding trail to exit the park in the dark. It was a tough drive back to our hotel and we didn't expect to have a day like this. This trail is not all downhill from Glacier point. You have a good 2 miles of steep uphill hiking. There was not a lot of shade in the day hours during summer. I carried with me 3 waters, 1 gatorade, 1 snapple (bought at gift shop located at Glacier Point) and it was not enough to last me the 9 hours it took for us to complete this trail. I recommend bringing more if you plan to do this complete 9 mile route. Also, I recommend bringing a walking stick (or buying one at the gift shop for $22.99) and a bucket hat for $32.00). These are definitely worth the investment or added weight to your gear because in the 90 degree heat and the treacherous areas of the trail you will be so thankful to have had them. All in all, the waterfalls started to look the same to me. Illilouette Fall and Nevada falls looked very similar. If you want to get misty, do lower yosemite falls and walk towards the bottom of the falls (off trail) instead of Vernal Falls. Or take shuttle #16 and walk to Vernal Falls instead of seeing it from panoramic trail. In my opinion this trail was not worth the energy, sweat and tears. I was more impressed by Igazu falls and Niagara Falls when I visited them. I thought this trail would be like others I've taken when visiting other National parks or International parks. I thought it would be a cleared dirt path. I was WRONG. If you want to get great pictures of everything from Panoramic trail, I recommend breaking up your trip in two. First trip: park at Glacier point, walk to Illilouette Fall, then turn back. Second trip: take shuttle to #16 stop, walk Mist trail to see Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. In my opinion, this is a much less strenuous and treacherous itinerary and you can see everything you would have seen on the Panoramic trail without the pain and stress.

1. This hike has been called by many as the most beautiful hike in Yosemite. Ok, if not many…read morepeople, at least me, who has done almost all the hikes in this park, except Half Dome. 2. We drove in just as Glacier Point was opening for the season in May 2015 . This year being El Nino with huge snowdrifts, Glacier Point road will be closed until June 2016. 3. We did both the Taft Point and Sentinel Dome hikes, using the single pit toilet bathroom at the trailhead, just in time ahead of a bus load of hikers. 4. Drove to nearby Glacier Point, overrun with tourists, checking out the views of the Yosemite Valley 3000 feet below, taking in awesome sights of El Capitan, 2425' Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls, tallest waterfall in North America, before heading onto the Panorama Trail. 5. Hardly a person on the Panorama Trail at 7,200 feet elevation, with an in your face view of Half Dome. This massive granite mountain is an awesome sight, dominating the landscape. 6. The trail becomes a series of downhill switchbacks, through vast forests of trees. In the distance we can see Vernal and Nevada Falls coming closer, roaring full blast in the late Spring, but disappearing by late Fall. 7. We walk along the edge of a cliff, fronting the Yosemite Valley, somewhat similar to walking along the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Great photographer's spots everywhere, of Half dome, and the two waterfalls, framed between the trees, as we go downhill. 8. Walk down the path two miles to the Illilouette Fall, and then on the John Muir trail to Nevada Falls, and then to Vernal Falls, and down the 700+ granite stairs of the Mist trail. We go past the Vernal Falls footbridge, onto the lower mist trail, all alongside the raging Merced river, swollen by the melted snow of winter. 9. People wade in the water in the summer, when the falls are a trickle, only to slip on the wet rocks, and fall into the river and become one of 200+ people each year who need to be rescued, and taken out on a stretcher on an equipment cart on the paved Lower Mist Trail 10. The entire trail is 8.5 miles one way, starting at 7,200 feet and ending at 4,020 feet elevation, taking about 8 hours, open from June to October. 11. We walk only two hours, one hour from Glacier Point, and one hour back, taking in the best views of the Panorama trail -the time limit for the wife before making another pit stop! 12. We come back in time to enjoy a awesome view of the sun glimmering on Half Dome, and then the sunset on the Dome, before a harrowing drive in the darkness along the winding Glacier Point mountain road at night, with speeding tailgaters close on my tail.

Cook's Meadow Loop Trail is a 2.3 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Yosemite Valley,…read moreCalifornia that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. It's a flat, easy hike that takes you around and through a pair of meadows and includes multiple views of Yosemite Falls and Half Dome.This is a great intro-to-Yosemite hike, especially if you've just arrived at Yosemite and are starting your trip. This short, easy walk offers stunning views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Glacier Point, and Sentinel Rock. The Cook's Meadow Trail is open year-round and is a great spot to visit no matter when you come to Yosemite as you are always rewarded with a great view. In winter, the path may be snow-covered or icy.

We took the Sentinel Meadow/Cook's Meadow Loop on our second day since it was an easier hike (~2…read moremiles). We drove around the Yosemite Valley area too: stopping by the Tunnel View of El Capitan & bottom view, Happy Isles Bridge near the Half Dome, Bridalveil Falls, and view of the Yosemite Valley. This Sentinel Meadow/Cook's Meadow Loop isn't "marked," but there is a path for you to walk. During winter/off-season, some areas on the path have black ice, so be careful. This loop gives you different vantage point of Yosemite Falls (Upper & Lower), takes you through the old Yosemite Village (last standing building is the Chapel), and decent views of all the granite rock mountains. We also took the Lower Yosemite Falls trail to get a closer look at the waterfall. It's an easy trail that isn't too long. Restrooms are available near the Yosemite Lodge/Lower Yosemite Falls trail.

Elizabeth Lake is a spectacular lake you can hike to when traveling in Yosemite along Tioga Pass…read more There's no roadside signs pointing to it, as the trailhead begins at the back of the Tuolumne Meadows campground. There's a parking lot just prior to the entrance to the campground that is for general parking, if you're coming from the direction of Tenaya Lake (go past the Cathedral Lakes and Visitor Center parking.) There was also a small lot near the trailhead itself but it wasn't clear if it was reserved for campers or not. Parking at the lot just prior to the campgrounds, I took a small path through the woods and followed the "B" campsites to B50, towards the back of the campgrounds. There's a restroom with flush toilets and the sign to the trail itself you'll see facing the woods. The trail climbs steadily but not too steeply. You'll gain about 900 feet over about 1.5 miles, then it levels out a bit until you reach a signed junction to Elizabeth Lake on your right. That's where the real views begin. While it's a nice forested hike, on the way up, the scenery is average. Once you turn off towards the lake, though, you start to get more spectacular views of the granite peaks, rock hop across a creek and wind your way over to the lake itself. It's a beautiful area with the reflection of granite peaks visible with the right lighting. There's a discernible trail to take all the way around the lake, which I decided to do, since out and back to the lake itself is short (less than 5 miles RT.) Around the lake had a few muddy patches and I would imagine that early in the summer, it may be too muddy to take the full trail around. After doing the full loop, it was nice to sit on the lakeside boulders to enjoy lunch before heading back down the trail. It's either flat or all downhill on the way back. Not too crowded on a weekday-we saw about 5 other parties the whole way there and back. Great way to experience the higher elevation hiking of Yosemite on a fairly moderate, shorter hike.

Activity Type: Hiking Nearby City: Cathedral Range…read moreLength: 4.6 total miles Elevation Gain: Minimal Trail Type: Out-and-back Skill Level: Moderate, only because of steady climbing Duration: 2 to 4 hours Season: All summer; whenever Tioga Road is open Local Contacts: Yosemite National Park Local Maps: USGS Vogelsang Peak quad Elizabeth Lake lies in a picture postcard setting at the foot of Unicorn Peak, a walk of only an hour or two from the Tuolumne Meadows Campground, so it is very popular; start early in the morning to avoid the crowds. If you have less than a full day to spend in the high country, but would like a true taste of subalpine backcountry travel in a small dose, this hike is a good choice. It?s also a perfect warm-up hike if you have just arrived in Tuolumne Meadows and need to acclimatize before tackling a longer or more demanding trip.

Classic Yosemite backpacking route. 30 miles, +/- 4000 feet…read moreelevation. White Wolf to Glen Aulin/Tuolumne Meadow. Either way is good, it goes down and goes up, so either way is similar elevation wise. This is one way route, so carshuttle is required. Or you could catch YARTS but it could be full, so it is risky. 2 night/3 days is appropriate. This route is along Tuolumne River. This has massive amount of water. Since there is a lot of elevation gain/loss, you can see many beautiful waterfalls. The most specutacular falls is Waterwheel falls. As the name indicates, the falls look like waterwheel. It is gorgious. I was just staring at the falls for a while. Not only waterwheel falls, california falls, White Cascades are also very pretty. This is real wilderness Yosemite.

Activity Type: Hiking Nearby City: Lee Vining…read moreLength: 9.6 totalmiles Elevation Gain: 1,400 feet Trail Type: Out-and-back Skill Level: Moderately strenuous Duration: 3-5 days Season: Best mid-July through September Trailhead Elevation: 10,150 feet Top Elevation: 11,300 feet This trip, part cross-country and suitable only for hikers with ample cross-country and route finding experience, leads over the Sierra crest to a remote lake basin in Yosemite National Park, offering ample solitude, good fishing, and memorable vistas. Located in Hoover Wilderness (Inyo National Forest) and Yosemite Wilderness, 7 miles west of Lee Vining and 3.5 miles north of Tioga Pass. A wilderness permit is required for overnight camping in the Hoover Wilderness and Yosemite National Park.

Super beautiful area. As it is called 20+ lakes, you can see a lot of extraordinary lake…read more I started at Saddlebag lake and hike all the lakes. It is not for easy hikers because of high altitude and trails are not very clear at some resions. This is near Yosemite NP but not inside the park. I camped 3 nights (2 and 1, twice) last smmer at Saddlebag lake campsite. This is a great campsite. Pretty, quiet, and clean!

Activity Type: Hiking Nearby City: El Portal…read moreLength: 12.6 total miles Elevation Gain: 2,170 feet Trail Type: Out-and-back Skill Level: Moderate to Difficult Duration: 6 hours-2 days Season: Best July to September Trailhead Elevation: 7,500 feet Top Elevation: 9,670 feet Other Uses: Horses The Ten Lakes Basin is extremely popular with weekend backpackers, for with only a few hours' hiking effort you can attain any of its seven major lakes. The three most accessible receive moderate-to-heavy use, but the other four, off the beaten track, are worth the effort for those who want relatively secluded camping. These lakes plus the two Grant Lakes are situated at about 8950 to 9400 feet, making them subalpine. Still, at least the three lowest of the Ten Lakes Basin warm sufficiently for enjoyable midsummer swimming

Trail head Elevation: 3818 Feet…read more Top Elevation: 5,900 Feet Trail Type: Out-and-back Range: 2.7 Miles from Rancheria Falls Type: Moderate to Strenuous Tiltill Valley is a remote valley in northern Yosemite National Park. It is accessible only to hikers. The valley is most easily reached via trail heads in the vicinity of the Hetch Hetchy Valley and Lake Eleanor.The valley provides access to many remote alpine lakes throughout the largely untamed wilderness that defines the northern portion of Yosemite National Park and the adjacent Emigrant Wilderness. This route tours the northern edge of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Across the lake, the views of Kolana Rock and the sheer granite walls of the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne are majestic, contrasting pleasantly with the intimate serenity of Tiltill Valley. The trail was barely used. Strewn with broken trees and branches. We had to jump over some big branches and I have a few scratches to show for. This is one of our three day hikes from the base camp in Rancheria falls Sunday. It was a solitary hike. No one was there at all. We can not see the trail at 5900 feet. At the top at 5900 feet there was about two feet of snow. We were sinking and it was fun for a little bit but without our snow shoes it just won't work. We also decided that since we can not see the trail it is not safe to proceed. So we headed back down to camp.