Yosemite Valley
Day Hike, Wheelchair
Access, Stroller Access,
Child-Friendly
0.4 mile, Out-and-Back
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5
The hike to a view of Bridalveil Fall is one of four extremely popular, wheelchair-accessible trails in the park, the other three being to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall, out to Glacier Point, and to the lower reaches of the Mariposa Grove. In May and June, when Bridalveil Fall is at its greatest flow, not only do you have a dramatic view of the falls, but you may also be moistened (or even soaked) by its spray. Unlike Yosemite Fall, Bridalveil Fall never completely dries out, making it a good destination for late summer visitors.
Day Hike, Wheelchair
Access, Stroller Access,
Child-Friendly
1.2 miles, Balloon
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5
From Memorial Day to the Labor Day weekend thousands of visitors daily make a short pilgrimage north to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall, many (if not most) arriving by tour buses and from out of state. And why not? Yosemite National Park is one of the most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites; Yosemite Valley is its star attraction, and Lower Yosemite Fall is its most accessible fall. On your hike the vast majority of hikers only go to the bridge view of Lower Yosemite Fall and return the way they came, whereas I describe a slightly longer route, a 1.2-mile loop.
Day Hike, Backpack
6.3 miles,
Out-and-Back
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5
This popular trail gets you to the impressive brink of Upper Yosemite Fall, and en route you get to ascend alongside the plummeting water, entranced as you watch the flow dancing over tiny bumps in the sheer granite face—or maybe just out of breath, aiming for the view from atop. For some, the hike is quite strenuous, and many ascend only to Columbia Rock, which is a worthy goal in itself. This trail also comes with steep but scenic optional extensions to reach the summit of Eagle Peak or Yosemite Point.
Day Hike, Bike, Run,
Wheelchair Access,
Stroller Access,
Child-Friendly
1.9 miles, Balloon
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5
First cars and later shuttle buses went to Mirror Lake, but now the paved road is used only by cyclists, pedestrians, and a few cars with special permission. Hikers can also use quieter, parallel paths that are only open to foot traffic. Be forewarned that Mirror Lake is just a broad stretch of Tenaya Creek, not a true lake. In time of high water it is quite impressive and reflective, but in July the flow diminishes and the “lake’s” width greatly decreases and then vanishes—indeed Tenaya Creek usually stops flowing late summer.
Day Hike, Stroller
Access, Child-Friendly
2.0 miles,
Out-and-Back
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5
Like the base of Yosemite and Bridalveil Falls, a popular, paved path leads to the base of Vernal Fall—if you have a full day here, take all three walks because the three are quite distinct from one another. However, unlike the other two destinations, the 1.0 mile to the Vernal Fall bridge is quite steep. Flatlanders will need to take it at a slow pace—but the effort is well worth it, as you hike past steep granite flanks to view the pounding falls. Perhaps several thousand hikers make this ascent on any sunny summer day.
Day Hike
6.4 miles, Balloon
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5
Mile for mile, the very popular balloon hike up to the brink of Nevada Fall and back may be the most scenic one in the park. The first part of this loop goes up the famous (or infamous) Mist Trail—a steep, strenuous trail that sprays you with Vernal Fall’s mist, cooling you on hot afternoons. Above you enjoy plummeting Nevada Fall and beautiful views of the domes in the lower Merced River canyon.
Day Hike, Backpack
14.7 miles,
Out-and-Back
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5
If I as a first-time visitor were allowed to do only one day hike in the park, I would unquestionably choose this hike—the one that I most associate with Yosemite and on whose summit I’ve sat countless times admiring the surrounding landscape. On a good summer day, 300 hikers attempt this summit—the number set by the number of permits issued by the park—but many turn back, either from exhaustion or from fear. If the summit of Half Dome is also your dream, you will need to plan months ahead to have a good chance at scoring a permit.
Backpack, Horse
26.6 miles,
Out-and-Back
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5
Best done in three days with overnight stops at Little Yosemite Valley (on the way up) and Merced Lake, this hike is often done in two by energetic weekend hikers. Its route, up a fantastic river canyon, is one of the Sierra’s best. Located at an elevation of about 7,200 feet, relatively large Merced Lake is about 2,000-plus feet lower than the popular ones reached from Tuolumne Meadows’ trailheads, and therefore it—and the route to reach it—is snow-free sooner and still pleasantly warm during the autumn months.