This truly is a phenomenal hike and if you are up for the challenge, we highly recommend it. We spent all day hiking Half Dome (which included the Mist Trail and John Muir Trail), a day of epic proportions. We didn’t want to overdue it today because tomorrow was our day to hike Half Dome. After a late lunch at the Yosemite Lodge, we drove back to Mariposa. Most of the day was spent hiking to Yosemite Fallsand Yosemite Point. We arrived in Yosemite at 7 am and drove the Yosemite Valley loop. We visited Yosemite during the week of July 4th. How early? Definitely before 8 am to avoid long lines entering the park, but even earlier is better. The key to having the best experience is to arrive in Yosemite early. But when we return to Yosemite, hiking Clouds Rest from Tenaya Lake will be #1 on our list to do (or maybe hiking Half Dome again…that was epic). Adding on a third hike 10+ miles in length was just not in our game plan. We only had three days in Yosemite and spent two of them on Half Dome and Yosemite Falls, for a combined total of 27 miles of hiking in two days. We did not do this hike for various reasons. You can hike to Clouds Rest from Tenaya Lake or from Yosemite Valley, starting at the Mist Trail or John Muir Trail. Enjoy views out over Yosemite and back to Tuolomne Meadows. Go off-the-beaten-path on this all-day affair. Length of time: 8 – 14 hours, depending on your starting point Clouds Restĭistance from Yosemite Valley: 19 miles round tripĭistance from Tenaya Lake: 14.5 miles round trip You can hike this one way, starting at Glacier Point and ending at Happy Isles for a total distance of 8.5 miles, or hike it round trip for a total distance of 17 miles. Panorama Trail connects Glacier Point with Nevada Falls and Vernal Falls. Here is the view from the top of Nevada Fall. You can turn around at Vernal Fall, or keep hiking until you reach the top of Nevada Fall. Mist Trail | Best Things to Do in Yosemite

The views of this waterfall are unbeatable from here and if the flow rate for Vernal Fall is high, there is a very good chance you will get wet (hence the name). This trail climbs alongside Vernal Fall on long, stone staircases. The Mist Trail is one of Yosemite’s popular hiking trails. The Mist Trailĭistance to Vernal Fall: 3.4 miles round trip 3 – 4 hoursĭistance to Nevada Fall: 6.6 miles round trip 5 – 6 hours When in Yosemite National Park, please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife. From short, easy walks to the waterfalls and viewpoints, to epic, all day hikes, there is no better way to explore Yosemite than on your own two feet. Yosemite National Park has a hiking trail for everyone.

Yosemite valley to clouds rest