Panorama Trail window.onload=new function(){wgUserName='';sTrailName='Panorama Trail';bTrailFinished='';} [?]

Panorama Trail
Photo: Dawn Endico
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Difficulty	Moderate/Strenuous
Distance	8.5 miles (13.7 kilometers)
Time Required	4-7 hours
Trail Use
Trail Type	One Way
Elevation Gain	3200 feet (980 meters)
High Point	7200 feet (2200 meters)
Low Point	4000 feet (1220 meters)
Best Months	May - July
Nearest City	Mariposa, CA

For other trails with a similar name, please see Disambiguation:Panorama Trail

Overview

This one way, downhill hike in Yosemite National Park features fantastic views along the whole way and, through most of the middle, lighter crowds than other similar hikes in Yosemite. The hike touches 2 other well known day hikes along the way, The Mist Trail and Glacier Point as several other lesser known trails like Illilouette Falls.

Directions To Trailhead

Most people elect to do this trail from Glacier Point down to Yosemite Valley instead of the other way around for a couple reasons: 1) it's easier to park in the valley and catch a bus up to Glacier Point, and 2) the trail is then downhill which makes it a bit easier.

If you choose this route then get to Yosemite National Park and then park in Yosemite Valley. Park either in the Curry Village or Yosemite Village parking lots and then take the free shuttle bus (or walk) to Yosemite Lodge, where the bus leaves for Glacier Point. One way bus tickets from Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point cost $25 for adults and $15 for kids over age 5. You can buy tickets in the Lodge and the buses leave at 8:30am, 10:00am, and 1:30pm. You can also book tickets ahead of time by calling 1-209-372-1240.

Alternatively, you can drive yourself to Glacier Point and arrange transportation back to your car from the valley. To get to Glacier Point, take Highway 41 from the valley to Glacier Point Road (about 9 miles).

If you want to do the hike in reverse, from Yosemite Valley up to Glacier Point you can park your car at Glacier Point, try to take one of the buses back down to the valley (which leave at 10:30am, 12:00pm, and 3:30pm) and then do the hike back to your car.

The actual trailhead, at Glacier Point, is at the southern side next to the amphitheater.

Trail Description

The most common and popular direction is from Glacier Point down to Yosemite Valley. The trail is clearly marked and you shouldn't have any problems getting lost.

The first fork is about 1.5 miles in at Illilouette Creek, take the left path to stay on the trail (the right path will take you to Mono Meadow).

About 0.5 miles after this fork and crossing the bridge of the creek, you will come to an unmarked trail that veers left through some manzanitas. This is a very short detour of a couple hundred feet that will take you to Panorama Point and spectacular views of Glacier Point, North Dome, and the back of Half Dome - do NOT miss this!

The next fork is a couple miles later when you head toward The Mist Trail. Take the left fork again (should be clearly signed).

A third fork is just above Nevada Fall, when the trail join the John Muir Trail. You can go left here to take The John Muir Trail, which is a bit longer down to the valley but easier on the knees, or turn right to take The Mist Trail and go past Vernal Falls.

If you've taken The Mist Trail side, there will be a final fork to take you either up to Half Dome on the right or to Yosemite Valley on the left (go left). If you've taken The John Muir Trail side, there will be a final fork at Clark Point: go right to take The Mist Trail past Vernal Falls or left to meet it below the falls.

Conditions And Hazards

Part of the trail can be rocky.

The detour at Panorama Point does not have guard rails at the overlook - be careful of the edge here.

Fees, Permits, And Restrictions

If you're taking the bus from Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point, you will need to pay for tickets.

The Yosemite National Park entrance fee is $20.

You can (effectively) only do this hike when Glacier Point Road is open (it closes during the winter).

Amenities

There are bathrooms at the Glacier Point parking lot and at the other end near Happy Isles. Additionally, you can find bathrooms on the trail when you've joined The Mist Trail above Vernal and Nevada Falls, and also at the Vernal Falls bridge.

Miscellaneous

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Photo Gallery

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Map

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Trailhead (37.726195, -119.574269)

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