Mist Trail to the top of Vernal Falls- 3.0 mi/2.0 hrs
Happy Isles near Curry Village is the trailhead for this world class hike to one of the most photographed waterfalls in the world. Because this trail is so easily accessible and beautiful, it attracts hordes of people. So to make your trip more enjoyable starting early in the morning is essential. Many people will only hike to the Vernal Fall footbridge, 0.8 mile from Happy Isles, but it’s definitely worth the extra 0.5 mile to reach the top of Vernal Fall. This means ascending the Mist Trail’s famous granite stairway that curves around the side of Vernal Fall. This section of the trail is so close to the fall you almost become part of the waterfall and depending on the time of year and waterflow you have the potential of getting drenched by the mist of the fall that gives this trail its name. Rain coat or poncho is advisable in the springtime if you don’t want to get soaked. From the trailhead it is a short but strenuous climb to the Vernal Fall viewing bridge, then it is an even steeper hike up the iconic granite staircase to the top of the falls. Total elevation gain is 1,050 feet.
Mist Trail and John Muir Loop to Nevada Fall- 6.5 mi/4.0 hrs
You can hike either the John Muir Trail or the Mist Trail to reach Yosemite’s iconic Nevada Fall. But the best way to hike these trails is to make a loop out of it by hiking up on the Mist Trail, then back down on the John Muir trail. From the top of Vernal Fall, continue on the trail along the river’s edge. In 0.5 mi. the path crosses the river again, then climbs another mile towards the top of Nevada Fall. Seasonal bathrooms will be available in the summertime here. Total elevation gain to the top of the 594 foot tall waterfall is 2600 feet. From here its just 0.2 mi to the top of Nevada Fall and the foot bridge that crosses it at the top to access the John Muir trail for your decent.
Half Dome- 17.0 mi/1.0 days
Epic, once in a lifetime opportunity here. Not for the feint of heart though. You must be prepared for a 17 mile round-trip, 4800 foot elevation gain hike. Make sure to bring more water than you think you might need for this extreme hike. A permit is required for this hike. You can apply for a summer permit every March through the recreation.gov website. They also offer an additional limited lottery system that you can apply for two days before the day you want to go. But these permits can be difficult to get so it is advisable to enter the March lottery. So with permit in hand, follow either the John Muir Trail or the Mist Trail from Happy Isles to the top of Nevada Fall. Then go left to enter Little Yosemite Valley. Not to be confused will the main Yosemite Valley. It’s a backpackers camp that requires reservations/permits. Enjoy the mostly flat one mile stretch through the valley because it’s all uphill from here. The rest of the trail continues to punch you in the face until you reach the final set of granite stairs appropriately named, “The Stairs of Doom.” The base of these stairs is where the ranger will check your permit information. You will not be allowed to pass without it. After you conquer the stairs to are faced with your biggest physical and mental challenge of the day. The steel cables that run 200 yards up the back side of half dome to take you to the top. Make sure you drink some water and take a rest before you begin the cable ascent. Once you get to the top you will have views so incredible you can’t help but be inspired to write a poem. To make the hike easier, camp in Little Yosemite Valley to split the hike up into two days.
Upper Yosemite Falls 7.2 mi/6.0 hrs
With a total elevation gain of almost 3,000 feet in just 3.6 miles, your legs will definitely be feeling this one. The switchbacks on this one hit you right off the bat so you’ll know what you’re getting yourself into from the start. If you’re not feeling it there’s always plan b of only hiking the first 1.2 miles one way to the Colombia Rock viewpoint. It’s a 1200 foot elevation gain to this point that offers the appetizer of stunning Yosemite Valley views that this hike has to offer. Plenty of people have stopped at this point and still been satisfied. But those who continue on from here get ever changing views of the Valley the higher you go. And after 3.6 miles and gaining over 2,700 feet, you’ll reach the brink of Upper Yosemite Falls. Make sure to take the cutoff trail on your right to get to the main overlook that puts you at the top of the tallest waterfall in North America. If you’re looking for a little extra something, continue on the trail another 0.75 mile crossing the bridge above the falls, to Yosemite Point(elev. 6,936 feet), where you get a perfect view of Half Dome, North Dome, and the rest of the valley.
Four Mile Trail 9.6 mi/ 6.0 hrs
This hike should be named the 4.8 mile trail instead of 4 mile trail the name implies. While it is true that you can drive to the high point of this trail at Glacier Point via Glacier Point Road, the dramatic views are a little more meaningful if the get there the hard way by hiking the Four Mile Trail all the way up from the valley floor, gaining 3,220 feet in 4.8 miles. The trail is partially shaded the whole way up if you start in the morning. And makes for a great day from Glacier Point with views of just about everything. Including Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Vernal and Nevada Falls, and the valley floor far below you.
Mirror Lake/ Tenaya Canyon Loop 4.5 mi/2.0 hrs
You can either start your trip from the Mirror Lake Junction by taking the Yosemite Valley shuttle bus to stop number 17, or add an extra 1.5 miles round-trip from the Curry Village parking area. This is an easy, mostly flat loop trip into Tenaya Canyon. It’s only 0.5 mile on pavement to Mirror Lake. Follow the foot trail beyond it up Tenaya Creek for almost to miles, then circle back. This trail takes you right underneath Half Dome offering some really cool shots of the dome. The lake is slowly undergoing the process of sedimentation, filling with sand and gravel from Tenaya Creek, and even in the spring time it’s quite shallow. In the summer it becomes more of a Mirror Meadow than Mirror Lake.
Mariposa Grove 2.0-7.0 mi/ 1-3 hrs
The Mariposa Grove is the largest of the three groves of sequoias in Yosemite. You now have to park at the south entrance to Yosemite and take the free shuttle bus into the grove. This shuttle only runs seasonally so in the off season you have to walk the 2 miles on the road from the parking lot just to get to the grove. From there its only 0.6 mile to the Grizzly Giant, the oldest and biggest tree in the grove. Boasting a circumference of over a hundred and being almost 3,000 years old, it is definitely the star of the grove. Just past the Grizzly Giant is the California Tree that you can walk through offering a good photo opportunity. A lesser known spot is the amazing Wawona Point that is just a half mile push from the upper grove offering you a wonderful view of the whole Wawona Valley. It is about a 1,600 foot elevation gain over 3 miles from the lower grove to get to this point. So for the Mariposa Grove it’s kind of the higher you go the better it gets.
Chilnualna Falls 9.0 mi/ 5-6 hrs
Be ready to feel the legs burn on this one. It’s a steady four and a half mile uphill hike, with 2400 feet of elevation gain to reach the upper Chilnualna Falls. Halfway up the trail you get a great view of Wawona Dome from a granite overlook. Just past this you’ll begin to see a section of Chilnualna Falls high up on a cliff wall, still far ahead of you. When you get closer, you’ll see that the lower drop of the waterfall is a plunging free fall. Unfortunately, it’s not in front of you so you don’t get to see it head-on. At the top there is a series of pool and drop tiers of the right side of the trail that is a great picnic spot before you begin the big descent down.
Alder Creek Falls 8.2 mi/5.0 hrs
A much overlooked hike in Yosemite with the trailhead located at Mosquito Creek just 4.5 miles north of Wawona. The trail begins with a steep, almost 1000 foot elevation gain to the top of the ridge and a trail junction.(Its important to make sure you note this junction so as not to miss it on your descent.) Turn left and head through the trees for two more miles of a gentle, steady uphill. Three miles from the trailhead the route flattens out as it joins an old railroad grade. From there it’s an easy one mile to Alder Creek Fall flowing off a beautiful granite lip. The waterfall is about 250 feet tall and best viewed from the trail as you stand about 100 yards in front. Just above the fall is some nice meadow spots that offer a good place for a picnic before your descent. It should be noted that this waterfall is very seasonal a not as impressive when the water flow is minimal on Alder Creek.