Hiking in Yosemite is incredible, and Yosemite Valley is one of the highlights of the entire National Park System, and there are a set of awesome trails that climb out of it. None of these trails are easy, but the views and sense of accomplishment are fantastic! One of these trails that climbs from the floor of the valley all the way up the side is the 4 Mile Trail.
At a bit over four miles (shocking I know), the 4 Mile Trail is nothing crazy by length, but in those four plus miles it climbs about 3,200 feet up to Glacier Point! This trail is a serious challenge, and should only be attempted by very fit individuals, but the views all the way up are amazing, and make it one of Yosemite’s classic hikes!
Miles/Elevation:
9.2 miles (round trip)
3,600 feet vertical gain (400 on return trip)
About Yosemite:
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Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, Yosemite National Park is one of the largest and most popular parks in the entire National Park System.
Steeped in history, Yosemite has played a major role in the development of environmentalism and conservation in the United States since the late 1800’s. In 1864, President Lincoln created the Yosemite Grant, which did not make Yosemite a national park, but did set the precedent that would lead to the creation of Yellowstone National Park.
Yosemite was ceded to the State of California and ran by the state for much of the late 1800’s. Eventually, in 1890, Yosemite National Park was created, and stronger protections were put in place to preserve the park.
Beyond the National Park Service, the legendary naturalist John Muir is perhaps best known for his advocacy in favor of preserving Yosemite National Park. A giant in the history of conservation, Muir, who fell in love with the mountains after a serious industrial accident, became arguably the most influential figure in preserving the natural landscapes of the west. His relationship with President Theodore Roosevelt and the expansion of federally protected lands may be the greatest achievement of this era of conservation!
Getting To Yosemite:
Always follow basic trail etiquette when on trail!
Located in Central California, Yosemite is fairly remote, but can be reached from a number of major cities. The closest large city is Fresno, and Fresno’s airport is the best choice if you are flying in. Other cities located within a three hour or so drive with major airports include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and Sacramento.
From these cities or any others, you’ll then likely need to drive to the park. There is a regional public transit system called YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transit System), and can be useful if you are trying to get to Yosemite Valley. However, I generally advocate having your own car when exploring the mountains. It just makes it easier to explore and get around.
Once you’re in Yosemite, there is a transit system that can get you around the park, however it is not running in 2021. Go to the Yosemite NPS website for more information on public transit in Yosemite. When it is running, the public transit can get you to many of the major trailheads in the park.
Getting To The Trailhead:
The 4 Mile Trailhead is pretty easy to find and easy to access. As you drive into Yosemite Valley, the trailhead is right along the main road going in. You will see signs for the 4 Mile Trail, and there will be parking along the road. If you end up at the visitor center, Curry Village, or the lodge, you have gone too far.
This trail can also be accessed from a couple of other spots. To hike down to the valley, start at Glacier Point and the parking lot there. The trailhead is also within walking distance of the campgrounds and lodges in Yosemite Valley, so you can walk to the trailhead from wherever you are staying if it’s in the valley.
4 Mile Trail:
From the trailhead, you will immediately head into the woods directly towards the valley walls. The first quarter mile towards the walls is pretty flat, but don’t count on that to last long! After about a quarter mile, the trail curves and begins to ramp up. You’ll quickly hit the first switchback, and from there it’s about four more miles of switchbacks straight up!
You’re in bear country, so be sure to always be bear safe!
The first set of switchbacks is pretty tight, meaning the trail turns after only a few hundred feet in most cases. You’ll climb a few hundred feet in this first set of switchbacks, and after about half a mile, the trail straightens.
Always be sure to follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles when in the outdoors!
The next ¾’s of a mile is a straight trail heading deeper into the valley, and with no switchbacks! Views here are good, and at this point you’re already 500-700 feet above the valley floor. Views across to Yosemite Falls begin to be amazing at this stage!
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After your long, straight section of hiking, the switchbacks resume with a vengeance. Honestly, switchbacks actually make a steep trail more manageable. The whole point of them is they mellow out the slope and take a steep hill and make it less steep of a hike, but when you’re on switchbacks, you can pretty much guarantee you’re climbing or descending!
Back on the switchbacks, the trail is relentless. If you take it slow and find a rhythm that works for you, it’s manageable, but settling into a rhythm is crucial to make this trail manageable! It’s almost like meditation, finding a breathing rhythm and accepting that your legs are going to be burning the next few hours!
Fortunately, the trails in Yosemite are very well constructed and very well maintained, so the walking actually isn’t as bad as you might expect. Yes this trail is steep, but the fantastic trail makes it much easier than it could be.
At about 6,300 feet, there is a great stopping point. It’s called Union Point, and if you can, I recommend trying to make it here before you take a long sit down break. You’ll be well over halfway (I hate taking a break before I’m halfway up a climb) and the views are epic looking out over the valley. Getting to Union Point is a challenge, it is 2,300 feet above the valley floor, but to me it’s the most logical break point.
A Great Hike Up By Glacier Point Is The Sentinel Dome And Taft Point Loop
From Union Point, you’re almost there! Not really, but you’re most of the way there!
There’s about 800 feet left of vertical gain which really isn’t that bad, it just all depends on how your legs are feeling! As you start getting closer to the rim of the valley, you get a new set of awesome views. Half Dome will start peeking out on some of the switchbacks, and you’ll have up close views of some of the jagged rock formations nearer and nearer above you!
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Eventually, the trail will enter a forest and you will lose your huge views over the valley. While losing the views is sad, this means you are getting very close!
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Once in the forest, the trail actually declines a little bit! This sounds fantastic, but really it’s a cruel joke because you just have to climb back up after the little descent!
Through this section of the hike, traffic will be picking up because you are approaching Glacier Point. One great thing about the 4 Mile Trail is while it’s in Yosemite Valley, it really gets you away from the crazy crowds. Frankly, it’s just too difficult for most people. Glacier Point is really busy, so as you get closer the trail will definitely pick up.
The last thing you’ll see before you arrive at Glacier Point’s parking area is a set of stairs. The stairs suck. It’s not that the stairs are really that bad, but you’ve just climbed over 3,000 feet! It just kind of sucks that you have to go up stairs at the very end, but oh well, you’re there!
The final few hundred feet take you onto the paved paths around Glacier Point. It’s a short walk to the point itself, and once you’re there, the views are absolutely world class. There’s an argument to be made that this is Yosemite’s best view, and looking Half Dome in the face definitely supports that!
Enjoy the views, and make sure you pick out the waterfalls as well! Vernal and Nevada Falls are pretty visible and obvious, but you may spot a couple more if you look carefully! When you’re ready, there’s a store closeby where you can get snacks or water, and bathrooms available.
From Glacier Point, you have a few options. It’s great if you can have some meet you up there to drive you down (there’s no public transportation back to the trailhead). If you do have to hike down, the shortest and easiest way back is down the way you came. Otherwise, you could continue on to do the Yosemite Grand Tour, and epic 19 mile loop!
Topdown Lifestyle Rating: 9/10
This is a phenomenal hike that offers almost everything. The views are incredible, the trail is very well constructed, it’s all around a fantastic trail. My only knock against this hike and the reason it’s not a 10/10 for me is there isn’t really anything exposed. The views are great, yes, but there are no drop offs, no really narrow trail, the hiking itself isn’t that exciting. Great hike, but a 9/10, not a 10/10.
Pros:
- Awesome views
- Very Nice trail
- Easily accessible
- Amenities and services at the top
Cons:
- Very steep
- No narrow or exposed trail
Alternative Hikes:
The Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Loop
Clouds Rest Trail via Tenaya Lake
When To Visit Yosemite:
Want More Of A Challenge? Continue On And Do The Yosemite Grand Tour!
Hiking in Yosemite is a three season activity. Winter usually brings quite a bit of snow, and the entire park is liable to experience winter storms. While lower elevation areas of the park may be hikable in winter, I really wouldn’t say Yosemite is a four season hiking destination.
Purely in terms of weather, fall and spring are the best times of year to hike in Yosemite. Summer can get extremely hot, and hiking in 95 degree heat isn’t fun for most people! The one issue with fall is that fire season can either close down areas of the park, or more likely will blanket the park with smoke. In good years, it’s hardly an issue, but some years it’s harmful to even be outside.
It is also worth considering when Yosemite is busiest. This is one of the busiest parks in the country, so be ready for crowds if you visit in peak season, namely summer. Some people are really turned off by the crowds, and I agree if you only visit the valley, but there are always places to get away from the big crowds. This can cause issues with finding campsites in the park though.
Overall, I would say that late spring is probably the best time of year to visit Yosemite. The temperatures are comfortable, rain is rare, and the crowds are lighter than summer. Late autumn is also a great time to visit as spring may still have snow lingering on the trails.
The last thing to consider when planning your visit is that the high elevation roads through the park close for snow. Tioga Pass and Glacier Point Road both close from winter to whenever the snow melts (usually May or June but it varies). Spring will limit where you can go in the park, so if you really want to explore the high country, wait at least until late June!
Links For Further Reading:
Best trails in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park (US National Park Service)
Yosemite National Park | Lodging & Year Round Activities | TravelYosemite.com
Yosemite National Park | Lodging, Camping, Attractions | Yosemite.com
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