Ten Best Yosemite Dayhikes

Our Local Expert Says:

Consider doing this hike as a 2-day backpacking trip, camping in Little Yosemite Valley. You'll get a get an early start and have the summit to yourselves, avoiding some of the dayhikers. Plus, you'll enjoy the Yosemite backcountry and won't have to submit to a single 16-mile day.

Description:

Don't try this incredible trail unless you're truly ready for a very challenging adventure.  You can do it as one-day epic or as a backpack trek but either way, you need to be in top condition, with comfortable walking shoes, start up early in the morning and take in plenty of water and food as you go.  If there's any chance of rain or lightning, do not go above treeline. 
This is a tough day not just because it is 16 miles round-trip, but because it is 4800' up and then down.  Large numbers of people are whipped before the top, almost everyone is completely thrashed when they do make it. 
Be aware that you'll need to have a new kind of permit for dayhikes every day of the week in 2011.  Get these via www.recreation.gov.  No one can go up the trail and the cables without either a day use permit or a Wilderness permit for overnighting en route.
The trail starts at Happy Isles and climbs quickly up along the Merced River, past 100m Vernal Fall, then 200m Nevada Fall and into Little Yosemite Valley at about the 4.5 mile mark.  If you reserved a Wilderness permit, or got in line at the Wilderness Center early the day before, you can pitch your tent in the campground here.  The trail then climbs up through more forest until you come out on the steep stone stairs of the 'sub-dome' and the views of the landscape below you are astonishing.  This elevator shaft does in many people, but the legendary cables come next.  There are two steel cables, held up by steel posts every 5m or so; 2x4's across the base of the posts help for resting.  Haul yourself up here and you've earned something special.  Hopefully you've saved some juice for the long descent...

Description:

In a neat demonstration of sedimentary processes, Mirror Lake has been gradually filling up with sand, so (except in the springtime) it is not as mirror-like as it once was.  Nonetheless, the lake's banks do provide a glorious view straight up Half Dome's face. Start from Shuttle Stop 17. This is considered an easy walk, with a mild uphill grade. The distance is just about a mile, and if you didn't care about fully experiencing this nice part of Tenaya Canyon you could complete the round-trip in about an hour. This area can get crowded in summer. In winter hikers must start from Shuttle Stop 19, which adds another mile to the trip. In summer months, there is access for vehicles with current disability placards.

Description:

This 2-mile round-trip trail begins from the Dog Lake/John Muir Trailhead in Tuolumne Meadows. Find it by going in on the side road to Tuolumne Meadows Lodge.  Bring water, snacks and a camera.

Begin hiking uphill and north from the trailhead. Soon you cross the highway and continue on up through forested switchbacks.  Take your time at this elevation.  The Dog Lake route continues straight ahead over the top of the ridge, while you'll go left along the ridge, still going uphill until the trail puts you onto the granite shoulder of Lembert.  A bit of easy walking then a somewhat exposed class 2 hop puts you on top of the viewing platform for Tuolumne Meadows.  Wind, sun and a lot of rock await you.  The gentle Tuolumne River winds below, and you can see its source in the Lyell Glacier miles to the south. 

Retrace your steps to descend, or go a bit further to Dog Lake, or circle around Dog Dome to come back to level ground to the west.

Our Local Expert Says:

If you really only have time for one hike (and you're fit enough for this burly climb) this is the hike to do. Steep cliffs, the crashing Merced River and one gorgeous waterfall.

Description:

The Mist Trail parallels the John Muir Trail from Happy Isles to the top of Nevada Fall and many people make a loop of the two.  Here we'll describe just the Vernal Fall section. The trail is paved or granite and is very popular for a good reason - astonishing scenery, a stiff ascent and an astounding 300' waterfall.  Bring water, sun protection, and if it's May or June, consider bringing raingear, when the route beside Vernal Fall could be called the "Firehose Trail."  The climb from Happy Isles runs steadily up a good paved surface with a few views of the Merced River's rapid descent.  You first see Vernal from below at the footbridge, where in summer there is drinking water and a restroom.  Another 20 minutes up and you'll reach the mistiest section.  About 600 granite steps, with steel railings where needed, get you to the top of the fall. 
Be careful of the slick granite as you top out on the stairs and descend to the edge of the fall.  Aggressive ground squirrels haunt the top - do not feed them or leave your stuff unattended.  Peer over the railing at the edge, back down the gorge you've just climbed.  Be careful around the swiftwater- too many people have been lost in the river along this stretch of trail; swimming above the falls is most unwise.
There's a restroom just above the top of the waterfall, and the trail continues on up to Nevada Fall or to an airy view near Clark Point. 
The Vernal Fall section of the Mist Trail is closed in the winter because of the coat of ice that builds up.

Description:

This trail begins from the Taft Point/Sentinel Dome Trailhead along Glacier Point Road. The trailhead is on the southern rim of the Yosemite Valley. This short hike leads to one of the most popular, and climbable, domes in the valley, and amazing views of the natural features within Yosemite Valley. The trail is well used, with its course obvious to hikers.

Description:

This trail begins along the Tioga Road less than a mile west of the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center. There is no official parking area at the trailhead, just a gravel strip on each side of the road with limited parking.  The first half mile of the trail ascends 400 feet then levels and turns westward. Descending slightly you'll see Fairview Dome to the north as you hike along its southern flanks. The trail dips to cross a small creek the begins the true ascent of this route. Beyond the small stream the trail ascends another 300 feet using switchbacks. Within a half mile the trail levels and begins crossing the western flanks of Cathedral Peak, 10940. Three quarters of a mile from the switchbacks you'll approach a fork in the trail. The right fork leads to lower Cathedral Lake. Follow this short trail as it descends gradually to the eastern shore of the lake. Lower Cathedral Lake lies at an elevation of approximately 9,300 feet, high in the Tuolumne River drainage. This site is heavily used by day hikers and backpackers. Although there are several campsites around the lake it is best to use this site as the destination of a day hike so as not to further impact the delicate terrain.

Description:

This trail begins from the Happy Isles area of the Yosemite Valley. In winter, when the shuttle bus isn't working, hikers can begin from the Curry Village Day-Use Parking Area and walk eastward to Happy Isles. This will add two miles to your trip. Nevada Falls can be accessed from the Mist Trail above Vernal Falls or the John Muir Trail--begin with the Mist Trail, then return to the trailhead via the John Muir Trail.

Description:

This description follows the trail to Lower Gaylor Lake, which is longer and frequented less than the trail to Upper and Middle Gaylor Lakes. A short cross-country trek will take you from the lower lake to the others without the crowds. An alternative to hiking cross country is to drive to Tioga Pass and follow the short, steep trail to the upper and middle lakes from there.

Begin this hike from the Tuolumne Lodge parking area south of Tuolumne Meadows. The trail leads east from the trailhead along the Dana Fork Tuolumne River. Nearing two miles from the trailhead the path splits. The route to Gaylor Lakes branches left crossing the stream and Tioga Road.The trail begins to gain elevation steadily after crossing the highway. From this point in the valley the trail leads northward two miles to Lower Gaylor Lake. Once across the highway the trail parallels the outlet stream from the lakes. Approximately one and a half miles from the trail junction the trail veers west from the outlet stream toward Lower Gaylor Lake. The first lake is within one mile after the trail leaves the stream. Lower Gaylor Lake lies at 10,049 feet. Beyond Lower Gaylor Lake are four other lakes: two Granite Lakes and Upper and Middle Gaylor Lakes. The other Gaylor Lakes are frequently visited due to a short, but steep trail from Tioga Pass. To reach them hike eastward from the southeastern shore of Lower Gaylor Lake. You'll reach the outlet stream from the upper lakes within a half mile. Follow this creek northward to the lakes.To reach the Granite Lakes from Lower Gaylor Lake walk to the northeastern shore. From there an inlet stream reaches the lake. Follow this stream northward one mile to southern Granite Lakes.

Description:

The Chilnualna Falls Trail is a nice ascent of the eastern wall of the Wawona basin.  Find the trailhead up Chilnualna Falls Road where there's usually plenty of parking.  The route starts steeply along the creek, where the first few hundred yards are graced with the dramatic cascades of the lower creek.  After topping out on a pleasant bench (an adequate picnic destination for many) in less than half a mile the trail leaves the creekside and climbs through yellow pine forest and fragrant mountain misery groundcover.  Nice views appear near the top as the trail rejoins the creek at the top of Chilnualna Falls.  It's about 3 miles to the top, where a well-earned rest should be enjoyed.  Backpackers (with permits) can continue on to the east (no camping for another mile), dayhikers will return to Wawona by the same trail. 

Description:

This trail begins from the Glacier Point parking area and descends to the Happy Isles area of Yosemite Valley. The trail is eight and a half miles long one way with a descent of 4,000 feet. A shuttle is ideal to reach your starting point from Happy Isles. Hikers will enjoy the views from this trail, which begin upon leaving the trailhead.