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| Hiking | 9.60 Miles |
3,887 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.60 Miles | | | |
| 3,887 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | I was unsure about this hike at first. I was looking for something that gave me good views of the entire valley and that was also challenging. The challenge part was definitely there on paper, but I was unsure if my views of the valley would be obstructed by trees most of the time on this trail. My tentative plan was to hike up Four Mile to Glacier Point, then if I had enough time and was still feeling good I would hike back down via Panorama.
I started a little late. I slept the night before at Tuolumne Meadows, I woke up around 8 AM, was on Tioga Pass Road by 9 AM, but I wasn't to the TH til about 12 PM because there was road construction on the way down to the valley which had the road down to one lane. It wasn't hot when I started hiking, but as the day went on it definitely got hot. If I were to do it again during this time of the year, I would have definitely made a better effort to start earlier.
Immediately after passing the sign telling you it's 4.6 miles to the top, the trail begins its climb, and it doesn't stop til you are about half a mile from Glacier Point. I have done Havasupai before, but I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to do this much steep elevation gain. After exhausting my first wind, it became a game of doing a few switchbacks, taking a break for a few minutes, then rinse and repeat. Eventually though, I fell into a rhythm and I was able to go much further before having to take a break.
Initially the trail is completely under tree cover, but as you climb, you pass through several exposed areas which offer awesome views of the valley below. Lots of great panoramic shots are to be had along this trail.
However, once at the top I was sorely disappointed to find that everyone and their mother had taken the shuttle to Glacier Point. I also had forgotten my wallet back at the truck so I wasn't able to buy any ice cream. ](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall") The good news was that there was a water faucet at the top, and I surely needed some more water after underestimating how hot it would get.
I took a few pictures at Panorama Point trying not to get people in my shot, had a short break near the water faucet, filled my gallon jug, then headed back down. I go to Glacier Point around 3 PM, so I probably could have made it back down via Panorama before the sun set, but I decided to save it for another day.
Coming up was exhausting, but going back down was painful on my legs. I stopped a few times for some shade and to rest my legs. Near the bottom I passed a family asking "how far to the top?" They weren't even 1/3 of the way there, had almost no water, and no headlights. I informed them they weren't even close and suggested they head back down.
Stellar trail! Can't wait to go back to Yosemite. I'm thinking Pohono or Half Dome next time. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
First time to Yosemite. I told my wife if we were going to Glacier Point, I had to do the loop. My wife must love me, because she just rolled her eyes and kissed me on the cheek. Got on the trail a little before 9:30. My wife hike up with for the first .4 miles and then headed back down. The trail is pretty much like 3 Piestewa Peaks. But when you think Piestewa Peak think of the lower .25 miles. Four Miles is paved, liked the lower portion of Piestewa, only the entire trail is paved. This paving was done many years ago, and time and Mother Nature has taken its tole. But it is still very much evident. There are no "big" steps, and even though there is a never ending climb, it is a moderate grade with a fairly smooth track. This was perfect, because it allowed me to walk and gawk at the same time. Even though the water flow was non existent from this trail the views still rocked. Literally! The rock formations were on display! For the first three miles, I thought that Glacier Point was above and to my right (south of me, I think). It wasn't until I started a relatively flat section that headed off to the north( I think) that I realized my misconception. Weather was perfect! High 70s. Because of the trees and my early start I was in the shade the entire time. Garmin showed 1:39 and 4.65 miles to make it to the top. I then had to wait a bit for my wife to drive to the top. When she got there, we had some lunch, took in the sights, snapped some pictures and hit up the gift shop. The mileage given for this hike includes these wanderings.
