Joe's Guide to Yosemite National Park -- Favorite Hikes and Viewpoints

YOSEMITE FAVORITE HIKES AND VIEWPOINTS

Yosemite National Park hiking With over 800 miles of trails, Yosemite National Park has a wide range of hiking opportunities ranging from short family-friendly hikes to longer strenuous day hikes and long remote backpacking trips in the wilderness. Several roadside viewpoints scattered throughout the park also offer outstanding views with little effort beyond fighting for a parking space. Bring the National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map with you to find your way through the different sections of Yosemite National Park.

Click on any of the hikes below for full descriptions and photos. IMPORTANT: You are responsible for your own safety. It is up to you to decide and determine if a trail or route is appropriate for you and plan for your hike accordingly.

Hiking symbols used for descriptions:
	YOSEMITE CLASSIC: a must-do hike if you want to see the best of Yosemite!
	FAMILY-FRIENDLY: a good choice for those with children who like to hike.
	BACKPACKING: a route enjoyable as a multi-day hike.
	DIFFICULT: a very strenuous and/or exposed route that may require special attention and/or navigation skills. Not suitable for casual hikers.

BRIDALVEIL FALL
Rating: short family-friendly stroll.
Bridalveil Fall is one of the most famous and recognizable waterfalls in Yosemite National Park, welcoming visitors as they first enter Yosemite Valley. While Bridalveil Fall can be seen from many prominent roadside viewpoints as you drive in from the north or south (most notably the famous Tunnel View along Wawona Road), there is also a short paved trail that you can hike to get close to the base of the falls. Bridalveil Fall flows year round, but it is most impressive in spring and early summer when snowmelt adds to its awesome beauty!
Trail Information Photos
LOWER YOSEMITE FALL
Rating: short family-friendly stroll.
At 2425 feet tall, Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in North America and is one of the most famous landmarks of Yosemite National Park. Conveniently located just west of Yosemite Village (where the Visitor Center and other facilities are located), Yosemite Falls consists of the impressive 1430-tall upper fall, several middle cascades, and the 320-tall lower fall. While a hike up to the top of Yosemite Falls is a long strenuous adventure, a visit to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall is a family-friendly stroll that every first time visitor must do. But since this is one of the most popular landmarks in the park, be prepared to share the trail with crowds of other people.
Trail Information Photos
THE MIST TRAIL (Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, John Muir Trail)
Rating: fairly strenuous to strenuous day hike.
The Mist Trail is one of the amazing quintessential hikes in Yosemite National Park. Starting at the Happy Isles Trailhead, the ingeniously-constructed trail ascends out of Yosemite Valley, working its way up the narrowing gorge of the Merced River. Along the way, hikers enjoy close-up views of two of Yosemite's iconic waterfalls: Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. During the high-flow early summer months, the Mist Trail earns its name, often drenching hikers from all of the spray coming from the falls. For the return hike, the alternative John Muir Trail offers a drier and more gradual descent with sweeping views of the Nevada Falls pantheon.
Trail Information Photos
HALF DOME (via the Mist Trail)
Rating: very strenuous hike with exposure near summit.
What is the most iconic and recognizable rock formation in Yosemite National Park? Half Dome! What peak serves as a beacon and can be seen from all over Yosemite National Park? Half Dome!! What is the most famous and strenuous day hike in Yosemite that includes the intimidating cables near the summit? Half Dome!!! What hike in Yosemite is so overwhelmingly popular that in 2011 the National Park Service had to implement a permit and quota system to eliminate the dangerous crowding and gridlock along the route? HALF DOME!!! For the fit hiker who is up for the physical and logistical challenges, this is an amazing and worthy adventure.
Trail Information Photos
MIRROR LAKE
Rating: family-friendly stroll.
Mirror Lake is one of Yosemite's most popular tourist destinations, located in the northwest corner of Yosemite Valley at the mouth of Tenaya Canyon. During the spring runoff, Tenaya Creek floods and forms several beautiful lakes that are indeed quite reflective, especially in the morning light. But since Mirror Lake is conveniently located in the heart of Yosemite Valley with several hiking trails and a paved biking road leading right to it, be prepared to share the sights with many other people.
Trail Information Photos
UPPER YOSEMITE FALL TRAIL (and Yosemite Point)
Rating: moderately strenuous to strenuous day hike.
While just about every visitor to Yosemite Valley takes the short stroll to see Lower Yosemite Fall, a visit to the top of the falls is a much more strenuous adventure. The Yosemite Falls Trail (Upper Yosemite Fall Trail) is a clever constructed trail that zigzags its way up and around faults and ramps to the rim at the top of the falls. From 3000 feet above the valley floor, hikers can enjoy awe-inspiring views of the surrounding area and those who are willing to hike a bit further to Yosemite Point are also treated to some classic views of Half Dome. For those looking for a shorter adventure, a hike just to Columbia Rock offers good views from 1100 feet up.
Trail Information Photos
DISCOVERY VIEW (Tunnel View)
Rating: roadside viewpoint.
Located along Wawona Road (Route 41) heading south up and out of Yosemite Valley, Tunnel View (also known as "Discovery View") is one of the most famous roadside viewpoints in Yosemite National Park, offering up a classic Ansel Adams view that is one of the best of the park. From the viewing area, you can get a wondrous view of Yosemite Valley several miles in the distance, framed by El Capitan on the left (north) and Bridalveil Fall on the right (south). On a clear day, Half Dome can be seen in the center of the frame with Clouds Rest to the left and Sentinel Dome above on the right.
Trail Information Photos
GLACIER POINT (and Washburn Point)
Rating: short family-friendly stroll.
Located on the southern rim high above Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point is one of the most famous and awe-inspiring overlooks in Yosemite National Park and it's also one of the few viewpoints that you can drive to. From Glacier Point, you can get a 180-degree view of many of Yosemite's famous landmarks, from Yosemite Falls to the northwest to Clouds Rest, Half Dome, Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall to the east. As one of Yosemite's most famous and accessible tourist spots, be prepared to deal crowds and parking headaches, especially during the summer tourist season.
Trail Information Photos
TAFT POINT and SENTINEL DOME
Rating: easy to moderately strenuous day hike.
While most tourists who drive the Glacier Point Road are intent on going all the way to the popular Glacier Point, the Sentinel Trailhead is located roughly two miles from the end of the road and is the starting point for a hike to two scenic and easily accessible viewpoints. Taft Point is an amazing viewpoint along an exposed ridgeline with sheer vertical cliffs that offer amazing views down into Yosemite Valley. Sentinel Dome is the inconspicuous highpoint far above Glacier Point that offers panoramic views in all directions. A hike to either or both landmarks makes for a wonderful and not-too-strenuous day hike with even more inspiring views found along the connecting section of the Pohono Trail.
Trail Information Photos
PANORAMA TRAIL
Rating: fairly strenuous day hike.
There are several longer trails that start at Glacier Point and wander back down into Yosemite Valley. The Panorama Trail is probably one of the most famous hikes, heading southeast away from Glacier Point to offer inspiring views of Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall from above as well as the backside of Half Dome. Along the way, the trail crosses Illilouette Creek just above the impressive Illilouette Fall, and at an old spot known as Panorama Point, hikers can take in one of the best views looking down into Yosemite Valley. A hike along the Panorama Trail to the John Muir Trail ending at the Happy Isles Trailhead makes for a great day hike.
Trail Information Photos
MARIPOSA GROVE OF GIANT SEQUOIAS
Rating: family-friendly stroll to strenuous hike.
The Mariposa Grove is the largest and most famous grove of giant sequoias in Yosemite National Park and has been a large tourist draw for over a century and a half. With over 500 mature sequoia trees, some over 2000 years old, the idea of the National Park System can be traced back to the desire to protect the grove. For modern-day visitors, several trails allow you to walk in the shadows of these magnificent giants, including the famous "Grizzly Giant," "Faithful Couple," and the now-fallen "Wawona Tunnel Tree." Hiking options range from a family-friendly stroll to a long and strenuous hike all the way up to Wawona Point.
Trail Information Photos
OLMSTED POINT
Rating: roadside viewpoint and short stroll.
Located along Tioga Road in the heart of Yosemite high country north of Yosemite Valley, Olmsted Point is one of the more prominent roadside pullovers and viewpoints. Named after Frederick Olmsted Sr. and Jr., this is a worthy spot to get out of your car and take in the views of the surrounding area. Olmsted Point offers a wonderful straight-shot view down Tenaya Canyon with Clouds Rest high in the foreground and Half Dome far in the distance. A short 10-minute hike takes you to a little viewpoint that gives you an even better view.
Trail Information Photos
NORTH DOME and INDIAN ROCK
Rating: fairly strenuous day hike.
North Dome is one of the more prominent dome formations located far above the northern side of Yosemite Valley and it stands directly across from the face of Half Dome. Hikers who reach the top of North Dome are treated to amazing views in all directions. While you can hike up to North Dome from Yosemite Valley (usually as a strenuous backpacking trip up the Upper Yosemite Fall Trail or Snow Creek Trail), hiking to North Dome from Tioga Road makes for a more manageable day hike through Yosemite's forested high country. Along the way, a side trip to Indian Rock allows hikers to see a beautiful and rare granite arch formation.
Trail Information Photos
CLOUDS REST (from Sunrise Trailhead)
Rating: strenuous day hike.
With an elevation over 1000 higher than Half Dome and massive bare walls that slope thousands of feet down into Tenaya Canyon, Clouds Rest is an impressive peak that can be seen from all over the park, including Tunnel View and Olmsted Point. While it is possible to hike from Yosemite Valley up to the summit of Clouds Rest, the strenuousness of the 16-mile round trip with 6000' of elevation gain will discourage all but the strongest hikers. A hike in from Tioga Road to the north makes for a more reasonable day hike through some beautiful wilderness scenery. The final push up the narrow and exposed ridgeline is a thrilling experience.
Trail Information Photos
HETCH HETCHY to WAPAMA FALLS
Rating: moderately strenuous day hike.
Located in the lesser-visited northwest corner of Yosemite National Park, Hetch Hetchy is a beautiful valley surrounded by tall granite walls that was dammed in the early 1900s to serve as a stable water source for the San Francisco Bay Area. Despite the controversy behind O'Shaughnessy Dam, hikers can still drive in and park fairly close to the dam and hike around the northern side of the reservoir to enjoy the sites of what is now a mostly underwater Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River. Hiking to the base of Wapama Falls makes for a pleasant and moderately strenuous day hike.
Trail Information Photos

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