This is by no means an exhaustive list of hikes in Yosemite. These are my favorites. I wrote all this up for a friend of mine who was going for 7 days and it seems to work well here. My son did all of these when he was 6 or 7, and I had one friend do most of them with me with his kiddo in a pack on his back.
Easy Hiking Days:
Depending on when you get there and which entrance you go in, you may want to hit Mariposa Grove and Chilnualna Falls on your way into the Valley. Otherwise, they are a 30 minute drive out. Which is 100% doable! That advice is really based on maximizing your time.
- Mariposa Grove – Mariposa is immediately to your right as you enter the park from the South Entrance (closest one from LA). Once you drive up and park, you can just go the mile or so in to the Great Grizzly (huge, old Redwood) or you can keep going for a few more miles and get to the Upper Groves (I’ve never made it that far but my friends have). The first part of the hike to Grizzly is easy and not steep. The econd part to the Upper Groves is still not steep but it is really long. My recommendation is to go in one way to the Great Grizzly and then looping around to come out another way – I think you have to get to the Tunnel Tree at least to find the second path out. I want to say it is .25 miles from the Grizzly to the Tunnel Tree.
- Chilnualna Falls – this hike is right by the Big Trees Lodge (used to be the Wowona Hotel) on the way in (well that’s where you turn, then drive for a couple of miles through Wowona to the trail head). It is my FAVORITE hike and so beautiful!!! Only hike until you can’t see the water anymore. The trail goes all the way to the top and is strenuous and hard – the folks who made it to the top felt they had accomplished something, but it was not nearly as pretty as the stuff closer to the bottom. So, my recommendation is just hike until you are away from the water and turn back.
We usually do the following on the same day (or maybe 2 days). These are the easiest (and most popular/crowded) hikes in the Valley:
- Happy Isles – “When you are here, you are happy.” This is an easy hike along rushing waters. I love to sit an enjoy the sound and feeling. While it’s an easy hike, it’s seldom been crowded when we are there.
- Mirror Lake – when we went a couple of years ago there was a big rock slide that made it impossible to go all the way around the lakes (we ran into it taking the right side trail) – It’s all the same lake, but I think I like the views from the left side trail better and it would be best if you could go all the way around. The water is still and easy to stick our feet in – sooooo cold because it is glacier melt. The path to the left is paved and it can be quite crowded, but there’s plenty of room for everyone.
- Lower Yosemite Falls – Probably the shortest and easiest hikes. And most crowded. It is wheelchair accessible and fully paved. What’s amazing about it, is that you can stand on the bridge right at the foot of the fall. It is a sight to see and feel! In the spring you will likely get a little wet and that water is cold!
- Bridal Veil – Another short, paved hike, but it is a bit steeper. You will definitely get wet on this one! We usually do this one as a last hurrah on our way out of the park.
- Hike up to touch El Capitan and look straight up the mountain – I haven’t done this but want to and some of my friend said it can give you vertigo – crazy!!! It’s a little hard to find, so look for the very small sign.
- You can also check out the museum and the Yosemite movie that plays every 30 minutes or so. And the church is probably worth a peak inside as well – I think it is the only original structure? Not sure about that, but it is sweet.
Heavy Hiking Days:
I have a few favorites here – you will absolutely need to pack a lunch for these hikes or at least a lot of snacks and plenty of water. The good news is that your pack is lighter on the way home 🙂
- Yosemite Upper Falls – I haven’t actually ever made it to the upper falls and have been told it is a little disappointing because you get there and it is so steep you can’t see much. Your call if you want to go all the way, but to middle falls is incredible. There are little turn outs towards the falls – keep your eyes open for them as there are some really awesome places to take pictures. You need to go past the first look out point though. It is pretty, but there is more to come closer to the falls.
- Mist Trail up to Vernal Falls. An absolute must!! And I recommend taking the John Muir trail down (the mist trail can be super crowded and down is actually harder than up). We want to go the 2 miles or so further on to see Nevada Falls, but we just haven’t had the time for it yet. I hear it is beautiful!
- If Glacier Point is open (summer and fall), then you will love the hike to Taft Point and Sentinel Dome, and end your day at Glacier Point for sunset – it is AMAZING! When we did this hike, it was a Ranger Walk – if you can do it that way, I highly recommend it!! Just check the hand outs they give you on the way in.
- Inspiration Point – this hike is just the other side of tunnel view (a great place right past the tunnel coming in to take pictures of the valley – you will see a parking lot and probably tour buses). Go across the street and the trail head is right there. This is how folks used to see the valley and it is a beautiful walk up and a truly inspirational view! If I could do that one again, I would take the other trail down and head over toward Bridal Veil falls. I understand you end up right beside the highway for a bit, but it is supposed to be a great hike. You would need to work out cars though cause where you start is not at all where you end if you do this one.
You can find more information on all of these hikes and how to find the trailheads here – http://www.yosemitehikes.com/hikes.htm
Traveling with Trisha 