Glacier Point
Glacier Point Photo Gallery / Trail Map / Satellite View
Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km) round trip
Elevation at trailhead: 7,200 feet (2200 meters)
Elevation Gain: none that you'd notice
Why See Glacier Point? The views from here are unsurpassed anywhere in California - a state, we should remind you, that encompasses both Big Sur and the Playboy mansion.
Hiking Time: 30 minutes
Best Time to Visit: Crowds are low from November to May. You'll need cross-country skis to get here then, though, because Glacier Point Road is closed during these months. Otherwise, anytime the road is open is a fabulous time to be at Glacier Point. Sunsets, in particular, rock. Springtime gets a slight edge over the rest of the year because of the views looking down on Vernal and Nevada Falls at full runoff.
Crowd Factor: High when Glacier Point Road is open. It's a short, easy hike with gasp-inducing views as a reward, so it draws a crowd. If you want similar, but slightly more secluded views, try hiking to Sentinel Dome or Taft Point instead. Dewey Point, farther west, is even less crowded - in fact, it might be the only trail in Yosemite that's arguably less crowded in the summer than the winter (it's a major destination for snowshoers and cross-country skiers in the winter). Washburn Point, which you'll pass three quarters of a mile before reaching Glacier Point, is also typically less crowded and a must stop.
Difficulty: One of Yosemite's easiest hikes. Much of it is wheelchair accessible (see the trail map for the wheelchair route to the point).
Getting There: Glacier Point can be found, logically enough, at the terminus of Glacier Point Road.
From the South entrance to Yosemite, turn left and travel 17 miles (28 km) to Glacier Point Road. From Yosemite Valley, find the highway 41 valley exit and take it nine miles (14.5 km) to the same road.
Once you're on Glacier Point Road, just follow it all the way to its end at the Glacier Point parking lot 16 miles (26 km) later.
Parking: There's a large parking lot at the trailhead. It occasionally fills up, but if you do a loop or two around the lot, something will likely open up. If you're a rain god and can summon thunderheads at will, that should speed things up.
Nearest Bathrooms: at the trailhead.
Nearest Snacks: Gift shop and cafeteria at the trailhead. Closed during winter months, though. Open 9 am - 7 pm during the summer.
Hazards: Stay on the uphill side of the stone retaining walls if you care to stay alive to see another sunset tomorrow. And give the hanging rock a miss, too, if you don't include flying or bouncing among your super powers.