Glacier Point Hike

Last weekend I went up to Yosemite with an assortment of work friends (Kate was busy and sadly couldn't join us), and since we've all done Half Dome more than necessary, we opted to hike up to Glacier Point and continue down to the valley via the Panorama trail, mostly to do something different.

After arriving and spending Friday night in a crowded but still spacious Upper Pines campground, we set out on the Four Mile Trail up to Glacier Point, which was surprisingly consistently graded despite the numerous switchbacks and 3,500 feet of elevation gained in 4 miles or so. Here's some pictures of this part of the hike - the trail offered great views of the valley and distant domes throughout the hike.

Dave, Mikey, and Cathy heading up the Four Mile Trail


Looking West back out the valley towards El Cap


Climbing the valley walls


Almost to Glacier Point (it's the outcrop at the right)


Half Dome vista from Glacier Point, with the recent rockslides (whitish patch) visible

After lunch on top with a couple hundred of our closest friends, we continued on the Panorama Trail, which offered amazing views of Half Dome, Tenaya Canyon, the Panorama Cliff, and the almost-dry Nevada and Vernal Falls. One particularly neat aspect of this hike was how the trail provided nearly continuous, but still always changing, views of some of Yosemite's more prominent features. For example, we got to see Half Dome from so many angles, I almost think you see it better on this hike than you do when actually scaling the giant dome itself.

Heading down the scenic Panorama Trail


Half Dome - dead-on


Panorama Trail view


On the JMT above Nevada Falls


Nevada Falls, a little drier than last time we discussed it...


Mmmm... dinner.