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Glacier Point via Four Mile Trail

Mariposa County, California

5.0/5
based on 9 reviews

Details

Distance

9.59 miles

Elevation Gain

3200 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Joel Bear

This hike to Glacier Point allows you to catch a sunrise or sunset on Half Dome in Yosemite. You can shorten the hike to a 1 mile roundtrip adventure by starting at the Glacier Point Trailhead, especially if you want to stop to stargaze.

Glacier Point is one of the highlights of Yosemite. The point is located at the end of Glacier Point Road. This viewpoint allows you to survey the entire Yosemite Valley and gives the viewer a captivating sight of Half Dome. It's a little bit of a tourist trap (especially during the summer season), but worth it.

If you're up for hiking to the point at night, the stars are another amazing feature. During a clear night, you can see the complete Milky Way in all it's beauty. If you're doing the night hike, you may want to consider the 1-mile roundtrip hike from the Glacier Point Trailhead.

If you're feeling more adventurous, you can hike up Four Mile Trail from the valley. The trail takes you away from the tourism and gives you more exposure to the natural beauty of Yosemite. This hike is actually closer to 5 miles one way, 9.7 miles roundtrip. It's a little more intense, but definitely worth it.

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Features

Photography
Hiking
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Forest
Scenic
Waterfall
Wildlife

Glacier Point via Four Mile Trail Reviews

Backpacking to Glacier point in late fall or winter ensures utter solitude and an amazing sunrise view!

We backpacked up there one time in the off season - very creepy at night for some reason. But, so worth it to watch the sunrise as it came up from directly behind half dome. A deer even joined us to watch! An amazing time.

Favorite Yosemite experience! We went on to the Panorama and down to the Nevada and Vernal Falls! Fun day hike!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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