hiking
views
birding
forest
wild flowers
walking
nature trips
wildlife
no dogs
lake
camping
kid friendly
backpacking
trail running
river
waterfall
horseback riding
snowshoeing
fishing
rock climbing
wheelchair friendly
dogs on leash
Yosemite National Park is home to some of the most scenic and spectacular hikes in the world. Over 3.5 million visitors travel from all corners of the world every year to marvel at the waterfalls and hike the famous trails of the 3rd oldest national park in the United States (Established October 1, 1890). With over 800 miles of trails you are sure to keep yourself busy. Most visitors head straight for Yosemite Valley, but there are many great hikes in Wawona, Tuolumne Meadows and the Hetch Hetchy as well. The park's elevation ranges from 2000ft to 13,114ft (600m to 4,000m), stretching from Giant Sequoia groves housing 200ft trees over 2,000 years old, to breath-taking valleys carved by glaciers, and home to the highest waterfall in America, to alpine meadows filled with rivers, lakes, and wildflowers. Half Dome and El Capitan rise from the central glacier-formed Yosemite Valley, as does Yosemite Falls, North America's tallest waterfall. Three Giant Sequoia groves and vast wilderness are home to diverse wildlife. Tuolumne Meadows is a great area to visit to get away from the large crowds in Yosemite Valley. This area is a few thousand feet higher than the valley and may take some time before becoming completely acclimated. Wawona is in the south western part of Yosemite National Park and is much less visited compared to the Valley. There are several highlights of this area including the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoia which was protected by Galen Clark 150 years ago and is home to over 300 massive Sequoias, some of the largest and oldest trees in the world still alive today.
Truly amazing view from the point.
Great hike from top to bottom. We stopped at Vernal Falls because the rest of the trail was closed due to ice. It would be better to visit after March when most of Yosemite's trails are more accessible.
Once you find the trail head..... Signs are somewhat misleading along trails. This hike is simple, can be long or short depending on time of year as you can cross over the "lake" during the summer early fall season. It is a two mile or a five mile hike depending on which route you take. I did have a 5 year old and saw many others with even younger.
Beautiful views. "Lake" was low this time of year but still amazing views.
I attempted this trail with my brother a few years ago in late May. I don't recommend trying it for your first time that time if year. thanks to snow covering the trail we spent hours wandering in circles looking for other people's foot prints. we turned around once we realized after many hours we were still about two miles from our final destination, and the frozen snow made it difficult to follow our own tracks home. incredible scenery, but please take caution in the winter/spring/fall. worth noting we didn't see a single other person out there.
Hiked in from Tenaya Lake, over Clouds Rest, camped in a meadow the night before, then climbed Half Dome Cables.
Spectacular scenery!
We overnighted near the base of Cathedral Peak, just beyond the Budd Lakes drainage. Spectacular views!
Awesome trail! I loved the views and the peacefulness. I defiantly recommend doing this trail.
Stopped at vernal, but amazing view and easy to access
What an amazing achievement! This hike is not a cakewalk. The first elevation gain is brutal. Then it's back downhill only to find yourself pushing hard to make the next few inclines. The summit is worth it.
Bring lots of water and a purifier as there are several streams you can pull water from. I went through 3.5-4 liters.
It's a yosemite must do!
Great views from the summit, after a pretty steep climb on a good, but often rocky, use trail.
Worth it, tough trail! Bring extra water, i had 2 liters and ran out. Bring a bathing suit! Start early, this trail will take all day.
Great hike! It was really tough. I was under the impression it was around 6 miles total but in reality it was each way....Up and down took us 5 1/2 hours. We started at noon. I suggest starting earlier so you can spend more time at the top. We didn't get to spend too much time overlooking because we didn't want to lose daylight leaving the park. I had 2 bottles of water and it wasn't quite enough, I'd recommend 3 at least. Very beautiful! Totally recommend.
Brandon M. on Jack Main Canyon and Tilden Lake Trail
Just did this Loop first week of September, Took us three days up and two day back....Great veiws, Tons of wild life...Amazing trip one to remember..