What’s a hike without a view? For the inveterate backpacker who relishes thrilling scenery, Yosemite National Park provides the best of both worlds. It offers over 800 miles of breathtaking trails, and the most popular of these got that way for a reason. The three that follow rank among the best Yosemite hikes.
Yosemite Valley’s Mist Trail
The Yosemite Valley includes everything that people envision when they think of Yosemite Park. Although it is only seven miles long, some feel that it packs more scenery into each square foot than any place else on earth. Its signature hike, the Mist Trail, is one of Yosemite’s best and incorporates views of Liberty Cap, Nevada Fall and the rearmost aspect of Half Dome.
The Mist Trail ranges in difficulty from medium to hard, with the steepest passages bordering the Nevada and Vernal Falls. Hiking this trail can take as few as two hours for a partial trip to as many as five if you cover the entire distance. Springtime, with its bursting waterfalls, is the best season for hiking the Mist Trail.
Tioga Pass Road’s Cathedral Lakes Trail
If you’re undecided about what you want to see, the Tioga Pass Road will give you a little of everything. It’s located at the eastern end of Yosemite Park, and its scenery ranges from Alpine lakes to granite peaks and everything in between.
The best hike off Tioga Pass Road starts at peaceful Tolumne Meadows, a two-mile trek with very little gain in elevation. From there, you can pick up the Cathedral Lakes Trail, a medium-difficulty hike of about seven miles. It takes from three to five hours to complete, and its lake views make the trip more than worthwhile.
Be advised against visiting in the winter months; Tioga Pass Road closes with the first heavy storm and remains closed until spring.
Southern Yosemite’s Mariposa Grove Trail
If steeping yourself in the radiance of ancient trees seems like your idea of heaven, the Southern Yosemite’s Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias should be just your cup of tea. This trail is of moderate difficulty compared to other Yosemite hikes, and if you only visit the lower grove, its 2.2 miles will present you with very little change in elevation. If, however, you opt to do the upper grove as well, figure on climbing 1,200 feet as you cover the trail’s entire five- to six-mile length.
Nobody could possibly experience all of the Yosemite hikes in just one trip. However, these top three trails should whet your appetite for the wonders that await you on vacations still to come.
Images via THE Holy Hand Grenade!, faungg
