Ten Best Yosemite Dayhikes

Description:

So much to choose from! I had to put Half Dome at the top of my list; it's so unique. For the fit and determined it's just the right amount of challenge with a great reward on top. Key: start up in the dark, drink lots of water. Be aware that for 2010 you need a day use permit for Fri, Sat, Sun, holidays on Half Dome. For an easier jaunt, almost anyone can make the pleasant grade to Mirror Lake for a more intimate view of the canyon floor. Off Glacier Point Road, the hike up to Sentinel Dome affords a grand 360-degree panorama. Do a bit less than Half Dome but with the best of the dramatic start/finish miles by hiking up to Vernal Fall and/or go beyond it to the top of Nevada Fall - good training for a Half Dome assault next summer. Another way to see this part of Yosemite is to pay for the hikers' bus up to Glacier Point and hike down the Panorama Trail. At Tioga Pass, crawl up over a steep ridge to an isolated glacial basin at Gaylor Lakes; classic Sierra alpine terrain. In Tuolumne Meadows, getting to the top of Lembert Dome is the must-do viewing platform. A fine subalpine hike gets you to the two Cathedral Lakes. In the south part of the park, take a great climb up the Chilnualna Falls Trail from Wawona; warm work, but worth it. It is truly hard to go wrong with Yosemite trails; do get a good map at the Visitor Center and ask rangers about route difficulties. Always have plenty of water, snacks and layers for the weather.

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Author: Pete Devine


Day 1 - Yosemite National Park


1

Half Dome Trail

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expert pick

Location:

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East end of Happy Isle Loop Road
(Yosemite Valley)
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389

Phone:

+1 209 372 0200


2

Mirror Lake Day Hike

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Location:

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Happy Isle Loop Road
(Yosemite Valley)
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389

Phone:

+1 209 372 0200


3

Lembert Dome Trail

Location:

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P.O. Box 577
The trail head is at a parking lot north of CA 120 in Tuolumne Meadows at rd. marker T-32. Follow the nature trail that starts here and take off at marker no. 2
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389

Phone:

209-372-0200


4

The Mist Trail

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expert pick

Location:

view in google maps
East end of Happy Isle Loop Road
(Yosemite Valley)
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389

Phone:

+1 209 372 0200


5

Sentinel Dome Trail

Location:

view in google maps
P.O. Box 577
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389

Phone:

209-372-0200


6

Cathedral Lake Trail

Location:

view in google maps
P.O. Box 577
The trail head is off Tioga Rd., at the west end of Tuolumne Meadows, west of Budd Creek
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389

Phone:

209-372-0200


7

Nevada Falls Loop

Location:

view in google maps
P.O. Box 577
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389

Phone:

209-372-0200


9

Gaylor Lakes Trail

Location:

view in google maps
P.O. Box 577
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389

Phone:

209-372-0200


10

Chilnualna Falls Trail

Location:

view in google maps
P.O. Box 577
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389

Phone:

209-372-0200


11

Panorama Trail

Location:

view in google maps
P.O. Box 577
The hike begins at Glacier Point, at the east end of the parking area
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389

Phone:

209-372-0200


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