Yosemite National Park
Trail Guide
Foxtail Farm Bed & Breakfast is 26 miles from the South Gate entrance to Yosemite National Park. As such we are closer to southern end of the park which includes Wawona and Glacier Point Road. Actual drive times into the valley will vary depending on time of day and time of year. With no traffic, time to Yosemite Valley is about 1-1/2 hours using either the Arch Rock Entrance from California Highway 140 or the South Gate Entrance from California Highway 41.
Yosemite National Park by Heinrich Berann
Yosemite Valley Floor
Happy Isles to Nevada Fall
Start: John Muir Trailhead at Happy Isles
Total Distance: 5.8 mile loop
Hiking Time : 3 hours to all day
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Change: 2000 feet (610 meters)
Seasons: May to June for spectacular waterfalls
If you have time for only one hike in Yosemite, this loop is the one. Featuring massive granite cliffs, classic glacial features, and views of at least four of the valley’s biggest and best waterfalls. It climbs along the course of the Merced River as it plunges over the steps of the Giant Staircase in Nevada Fall, then Vernal Fall before resuming its flat, meandering course over the floor of Yosemite Valley.
The Southern Park - Wawona and Mariposa Grove
Chilnualna Fall
Start: Chilnualna Fall Trailhead off Chilnualna Fall Road in Wawona
Total Distance: 8.2 miles out and back
Hiking Time: 6 to 8 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Change: 2,100 feet (640 meters)
Seasons: Best in spring and early summer
Chilnualna Creek tumbles in cascades and waterfalls almost constantly for most of its length. The most spectacular sections and highest waterfalls are found at the beginning and end of the hike. It is a steady, uphill climb but the grade is comfortable. The waterfall at the end is as exciting as any in Yosemite Valley, but very few people know about it of visit it.
Mariposa Grove
Start: Grove Arrival Area Trailhead
Total Distance: 5.9 mile double loop
Hiking Time : 2 hours to all day
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Change: 1000 feet (304 meters)
Seasons: Spring, Summer and Fall
The giant sequoias are the largest living things on earth and among the oldest, living up to 3,000 years. The Mariposa Grove, the largest of three groves in Yosemite is divided into upper and lower groves with a veritable maze of trails. Mariposa Grove Trail Map.
The South Rim of Yosemite Valley - Glacier Point Road
Taft Point and The Fissures
Start: Taft Point / Sentinel Dome Trailhead
Total Distance: 2.2 miles out and back
Hiking Time : 2 to 3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Change: 250 feet (76 meters)
Seasons: All year, whenever Glacier Point Road is open
Taft Point is the westernmost of several overlooks into Yosemite Valley. This section of the valley wall displays jagged, broken granite crags and soaring spires. On the way, you can peek down into the fabulous Fissures, cracks in the cliff that are only inches wide, but thousands of feet deep, through which you can see all the way to the valley floor.
Sentinel Dome
Start: Taft Point / Sentinel Dome Trailhead
Total Distance: 2.2 miles out and back
Hiking Time : 2 to 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Change: 400 feet (122 meters)
Seasons: All year, whenever Glacier Point Road is open
Sentinel Dome is one of Yosemite’s famous domes which you can climb with minimal expenditure of time and effort. The view from the summit is a 360° sweep of almost the entire park.
Panorama Trail
Start: Panorama/Pohono Trailhead at Glacier Point
Total Distance: 10.4 miles out and back
Hiking Time : 6 to 8 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation Change: 1,500 feet (457 meters)
Seasons: Best in early summer when falls are flowing
The Panorama Trail follows the southeastern portion of the valley rim about Happy Isles, crossing Illilouette Creek at the top of Illilouette Fall to the sunny flat where Nevada Fall launches itself over the cliff into Yosemite Valley. The Giant Staircase is in sight much of the way, as well as occasional glimpses of Yosemite Falls back to the west. You get five famous waterfalls in one hike.
North of Tuolumne Meadows
Dog Lake
Start: Lembert Dome/Dog Lake Trailhead
Total Distance: 2.8 miles out and back
Hiking Time : 1 to 3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Change: 570 feet (174 meters)
Seasons: All summer, whenever Tioga Road is open
This is an easy and popular out-and-back day hike through lodgepole pine forest to a lovely lake, tucked out of sight of Tuolumne Meadows behind Lembert Dome. It is as its most beautiful in late afternoon.
Lembert Dome
Start: Lembert Dome/Dog Lake Trailhead
Total Distance: 3.2 mile loop
Hiking Time : 2 to 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Change: 870 feet (265 meters)
Seasons: All summer, whenever Tioga Road is open
Lembert Dome is the huge lopsided, smoothly polished mound of granite just north of Tioga Road. This hike takes you to the top of the dome, approaching from the west and returning to the east to make a loop. The views from the top are marvelous.
May Lake
Start: May Lake Trailhead at Snow Creek
Total Distance: 2.4 miles out and back
Hiking Time : 2 to 4 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Change: 490 feet (150 meters)
Seasons: All summer, whenever Tioga Road is open
The well-used trail climbs slowly passing through a granite corridor. Eventually the trail begins a steeper, winding climb with some switchbacks toward the top, revealing good views down Tenaya Canyon past Clouds Rest and Half Dome. Enjoy the Lake and views of Mount Hoffman but do not jump in as swimming is prohibited.
South Of Tuolumne Meadows
Clouds Rest
Start: Sunrise Trailhead
Total Distance: 14.8 miles out and back
Hiking Time : 8 to 10 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation Change: 1970 feet (600 meters)
Seasons: All summer, whenever Tioga Road is open
Clouds Rest is certainly the best seat in the house for enjoying the drama of Yosemite Valley. This trail is a hard workout as a day hike and the actual summit is not advised for those who have no head for heights. It is a long and narrow knife-edged ridge, not at all dangerous if you watch your step, but very high at 9,926 feet (3025 meters) and very exposed.
Top 10 Hikes in Yosemite National Park as determined by the Outbound Collective