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The hike has a moderate 100-foot elevation, making it the perfect mild half-day hike for visitors weary of climbing.īefore setting out on a hike, whether in Yosemite or on the best hikes in Yellowstone National Park, it’s important to get your kit right. The park has installed informative exhibits along the trail that explain the cultural and geological history of the area. This mostly flat loop trail takes you past Tenaya Creek and over bridges, offering beautiful views of the flat, quiet lake, and peaks surrounding. The cables are only installed between late May and early October. You’ll finish your ascent of Half Dome using a set of metal cables affixed to the rock. Note that this hike takes serious planning and preparation, so be sure to check sunrise and sunset times and bring plenty of water and fuel. Because the trail is mostly exposed, you’ll have regular views of waterfalls, the valley, and the High Sierra mountains. It consists of a 14- to 16-mile roundtrip loop that ascends 4,800 feet. This is one of the most strenuous, and possibly infamous trails in Yosemite. (Image credit: Getty/SusanGaryPhotography) Half Dome Trail You can keep climbing for increasingly clearer views of the waterfall, culminating in a difficult climb to the top of the falls. The first mile (and 1,00 feet of elevation) brings you to Columbia Rock, which in itself is quite the viewpoint, including a panorama of the valley, Half Dome and Sentinel Rock. This climb takes you up 2,425 feet to the top of Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America. Once you’ve summited, you can head back down or extend your trek along Panorama Trail to the Happy Isles Trailhead 8.5 miles further on. After a steady climb of over four miles, sit back and take in everything Yosemite has to offer, including a breathtaking view of El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and Half Dome. You’ll get stunning valley views at the top of this strenuous hike, which takes you to the peak of Glacier Point. (Image credit: Getty/Steve Smith) Four Mile Trail You can follow the trail in a loop back to where you parked or continue on to the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center for further hiking. The path follows a gravel road past Soda Springs, where fresh effervescent water comes straight from the Earth.
The highlight for her is a “Stop at the top of Nevada Falls, where you’ll have stunning views of Half Dome and the entire valley.” Soda Springs Trailįor hikers looking for a flat, leisurely morning hike, this is a great loop option. It offers challenging terrain, especially during a snowy winter, and covers 8.5 miles of trail with plenty of elevation change “The trail has 1,000 feet of climbing and almost 3,000 feet of descending, so watch your knees!” says Boast.
This is Boast’s favorite hike, and she visits the park every year. (Image credit: Getty/Matteo Colombo) Panorama Trail