Good places to start are off Southside Drive near the Swinging Bridge, the Yosemite Falls trailhead, or the Yosemite Lodge. 8. Yosemite. The shorter trail starts from the Bridalveil Fall parking area off US Hwy 41. In spring, it's easy to figure out where the Mist Trail got its name, as the fast-flowing waterfalls kick up a spray. This trail is also used for horseback riding, and hikers sometimes report that much if it smells like horse droppings. The most scenic easy hike in the Yosemite Valley starts with a spectacular view of it and ends at the base of the lower section of the falls. Nick P. Hiking. We did this small hike to the lower falls with a hiking backpack and stroller. Part of North America's tallest waterfall, Lower Yosemite Fall is the final 320-foot drop of the waterfall. If you’re hiking Yosemite in the winter, we suggest you head for one of the most prominent waterfalls in the Yosemite Valley — Bridalveil Fall. The workout is for real, but the experience is truly one-of-a-kind. Leashed pets are allowed on the paved trail only, and the trail is also wheelchair accessible. Choose from hikes throughout the park, from Yosemite Valley, the Wawona area, and Glacier Point Road to Tioga Road, Tuolumne Meadows, and Hetch Hetchy. Best Easy Day Hikes Yosemite National Park, Fifth Edition Worauf Sie zuhause bei der Wahl Ihres Yosemite hikes Aufmerksamkeit richten sollten! Crossing the Merced River twice at the Sentinel and Swinging Bridges, the path is gently accessible to kids, seniors, wheelchairs and strollers alike. "Great waterfall and views - we did get quite a bit if mist crossing the bridge at the base of the falls, but it was a very high flow time with record snow and 95 degree temps!" From here — the highest point of the hike at 6,000 feet — you pick up the longer, slightly less steep John Muir Trail for an alternate way back down to the trailhead. The Cooks Meadow Loop is a short, easy walk with incredible scenic rewards. Easy Yosemite Valley Day Hikes. Mirror Lake is a shallow, seasonal pool that fills with water in the spring and early summer. These are great if you don’t have a lot of time or are unable to do the longer or more difficult hikes. The hikes in Yosemite are split into three areas: the valley floor, Tuolomne Meadows (Tioga Pass) and those along Glacier Point Road. Glancing over the different hikes at YOsemite Falls. ). Starting a few blocks from downtown Mariposa, the dog-friendly Stockton Creek Preserve trail winds through a classic California oak and chaparral setting up to Stockton Creek Reservoir. But if you want to just stop and stretch your legs while driving through, or if you want to introduce your kids to some pleasant hiking… Some of the hikes below mention stops which are on the Yosemite Valley Shuttle System. There is no better tool for helping you decide on which trails to hike ; Get the most out of your Yosemite vacation! First, Yosemite is the single most popular park in California. Begin at Lembert Dome parking area (shuttle stop #4) Walk along the gravel road and pass the locked gate (signed Glen Aulin and Soda Springs). With breathtaking scenery and larger-than-life natural landmarks, the Yosemite Mariposa region sets the stage for epic Thanksgiving vacations. A 600-step granite staircase ascends alongside 318-foot Vernal Falls as a cool mist swirls. Open year-round, this trail is easy but icy in the winter. Hite Cove Trail leads to an old mining ghost town past spectacular views of the South Fork of the Merced River and wildflower displays in spring.Photo: Damian Riley, Distance: 9 miles out & back. Views are better on the west half of the loop, and the middle section is through the woods. Named after the “Cliff Man” Clifford Corlieu, this multi-tiered waterfall drops 80 feet and the rock foundation of a cabin where the Corlieu lived from 1910 to 1929 can still be found. If you walk to the trailhead from Yosemite Village instead of taking the shuttle bus, it adds 1.5 miles (2.4 km) each way. Here are 5 easy hikes you can do at Yosemite National Park: 1. Last updated: August 7, 2019. Yosemite National Park is a great National Park for families as there are many beautiful sites to see that require little to no hiking as well as some amazingly beautiful longer hikes. Lower Yosemite Falls (0.5 miles round trip, minimal gain, easy) Bridalveil Falls Hike (1.2 miles round trip, 200 ft. gain, easy) Lembert Dome Trail (2.8 miles round trip, 846 ft. gain, easy-ish) Tenaya Lake (2.5 miles round trip, minimal gain, easy) The heart of Yosemite is Yosemite Valley. Going left (upstream) at the fork, the trail follows Lewis Creek where the remnants of a lumber flume can be seen. The loop is only about a mile and is accessible from the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. Easy Hikes Lower Yosemite Falls. 5. The two paved paths both lead to the viewing bridge, creating a loop trail. Four editions of Best Easy Day Hikes Yosemite are now in print. Difficulty: Easy; Hike through Tuolumne Meadow for gorgeous views of the surrounding granite mountains in Yosemite. Lower Yosemite Falls. If you are looking for longer adventures, Jeffrey Schaeffer's guides are still the best. The trailhead is at the Lower Yosemite Fall Trailhead (shuttle stop #6). The Vernal Falls Footbridge hike is the most difficult of these easy hikes, steep enough that you may work up a sweat. This is a 1 mile/1.6 km loop which takes about 30 minutes to complete. That's a fairly impressive publication history for a book in this series, where one edition is the norm. The Tioga Road, which provides the only access by car to … Historically significant to both native peoples and European-Americans, the Hite Cove area was used by the Ahwahneechee people in winter and spring to avoid the harsh high-elevation snow, before returning to Yosemite Valley in summer. In fact, this is about as close as you can get to the base of Half Dome and when the lake is full and clear, it reflects beautifully on the surface, and you'll have no trouble figuring out how it got the name "mirror.". Park Ranger Shelton Johnson provides an overview of easy day hikes in Yosemite Valley. After your journey, refuel with tasty pub fare right back where you started at Jackalopes Bar & Grill. The classic Lower Yosemite Fall trail is a great winter hike for families as it is a short and easy trail to Lower Yosemite fall. There is no better tool for helping you decide on which trails to hike ; Get the most out of your Yosemite vacation! This outing is great for kids and dogs are welcome, but bring bug repellent and expect plenty of trail company on weekends, as this is one of the more popular Yosemite Mariposa hikes available. Best Easy Day Hikes Yosemite National Park (Best Easy Day Hikes Series) (English Edition) Yosemite National Park (Jon's Hiking Guides) Covers Yosemite's Best Day Hikes & Backpacking Trips - including HALF DOME; Trails vary from 1/2 mile to 17 miles - something for everyone! Suzanne Swedo's 'Best Easy Dayhikes Yosemite' comes to mind. When the temperatures drop suddenly, the waterfalls' mist turns into a slushy flow called frazil ice. Though, they got out and ran most of it; it’s not difficult at the bottom. It's dramatic then, but you may get wet from all the mist. 7 easy hikes in Yosemite National Park. There are some nice, short hikes in Yosemite Valley that almost anyone can manage. The lower loop trail features a graded fire road, while the upper loop provides expansive vistas overlooking the water and surrounding hills. Tools. Yosemite National Park has a hiking trail for everyone. Bathrooms are available along the Mist Trail portion. With its shady tree cover and fern grotto feel, the Lewis Creek Trail transports hikers to a mythical paradise. You can extend your hike on a 4-mile (6.4 km) loop trail around the lake, which re-opened in late 2012 after being closed for several years after a rockslide. Part of North America's tallest waterfall, Lower Yosemite Fall is the final 320-foot drop of the waterfall. Dogs are welcome (on leash, paved sections only) and for those hikers who don’t like to venture far from a bathroom there are several along the way. "The trail, or actually walkway, has been revamped in recent years thanks to donations from visitors and now offers an easy approach to the lower falls, and a nice walk through the meandering creek bottoms." Ideal for a quick break when time is tight or chatting with friends and family, these strolls feature gentle slopes, shorter distances and kid-friendly environs. During especially wet years in the spring, that mist may make you wish you had an umbrella - or a raincoat to keep you dry in the spray, which can also make the trail a little slippery. The classic Lower Yosemite Fall trail is a great winter hike for families as it is a short and easy trail to Lower Yosemite fall. From either starting point, you'll end up at a viewing platform at the base the waterfall. A popular destination in spring, this trail follows the steep Merced River canyon while passing by nearly 50 varieties of wildflowers. The Mist Trail. It follows the longer Mist Trail to a bridge across the Merced River with a view of Vernal Fall. Leashed pets are allowed on the paved trail. From Southside Drive, the path is wide and easy to walk. The fall flows all year long, but at a lower rate. The most scenic easy hike in the Yosemite Valley starts with a spectacular view of it and ends at the base of the lower section of the falls. In dry years, the flow may almost stop from late July or August through October, reducing the falls to a trickle. Views are better on the west half of the loop, and the middle section is through the woods. The trail is wheel-chair accessible, pet-friendly, and great for visitors of all ages! Since it was October there wasn’t a drop of water coming out the falls, but I could just imagine it! At trail’s end there’s a narrow spur that climbs to a seasonal waterfall, worth the effort if still running. The rest of the year, it can be completely dry, but anytime it's a favorite place to hike to, especially for families and it gets you close to the base of Half Dome. The path can be a little snowy or icy in winter. It's also one of the easiest hikes in Yosemite Valley. Summer 2020 Updates Due to current health guidelines, shuttle service is unavailable for the summer 2020 season. Easy Hikes in Yosemite. Lower Yosemite Falls (0.5 miles/0.8 km round trip): Hike to the base of the tallest waterfall in North America and absorb some of the adrenaline-soaked spray that's just survived a 2,400-foot (720-meter) freefall. It’s an easy route with a … A note of caution: while truly one-of-a-kind, this hike is very long, at high altitude, and with a short, but narrow (approximately 10 feet wide) passage on the ridge. Not only is this one-mile hike easy to access, but it’s also conveniently located near the entrance to Yosemite Valley with a parking lot situated right at the trailhead. In the heart of Yosemite Valley, this hike has it all: world-class views of Yosemite Falls and Half Dome; verdant, wildflower-dotted meadows in spring/early summer; wildlife at dusk and dawn. Best Easy Day Hikes Yosemite National Park includes concise descriptions and detailed maps for twenty-four easy-to-follow hikes through some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. The hike to the lake is about two miles, while the loop trail around Mirror Lake is about five miles. Phone: (209) 372-0200. Even if you only have an hour as you drive through the park on the way to your next destination, this short leg-stretcher is worth the quick hike. Be sure to wear sticky-soled shoes for scrambling on the rocks, and if you still have energy afterward  visit the nearby Northern Mariposa County History Center for local Gold Rush tales or Bower Cave, a limestone grotto the native Miwuk people called “Home of the Evening Star” and where stagecoach visitors back in the day held dances on Saturday nights! Contact Us. Duration: 4 minutes, 35 seconds Learn more about day hikes in Yosemite Valley. If that's full, you can park along Southside Drive, where you can also get a view of El Capitan and take a slightly longer trail that crosses Bridalveil Creek. Getting up close to the waterfalls or to the overlooks is absolutely worth the small effort required. After arriving at Red Rock Falls, hikers will experience a wider, more powerful cascade of 20 feet. A quick stroll to see Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in Northern America and 5th in the world crash down on the rocks below. Contact the Park. Standing behind Half Dome like a big brother, its narrow ridge at the summit and lengthy approach make this hike truly challenging yet wholly gratifying. Tenaya Lake is just about as picture perfect as Yosemite gets. Best Hikes in Yosemite. See where they start on this Yosemite Valley map. Info; Alerts; Maps; Calendar; Reserve ; Alerts In Effect Dismiss Dismiss View all alerts × Contact Us. It's a busy trail where you'll encounter a lot of other hikers. Mailing Address: PO Box 577 Yosemite National Park, CA 95389 . Few places on Earth evoke images of high-alpine adventure among majestic mountain scenery as Yosemite National Park. Not only is this one-mile hike easy to access, but it’s also conveniently located near the entrance to Yosemite Valley with a … Yosemite Mariposa abounds with creatures great and small. If you park at Yosemite Village and walk to the falls instead of starting from the parking area, it will add about 1 mile (1.6 km) round trip. This trail can be conquered quickly. From oak-studded foothills to 13,000-foot granite peaks, the animals enjoy a pristine sweep of unmatched beauty where they feed and play freely. Starting near the BLM-operated McCabe Flat Campground, the Merced River Trail follows the old Yosemite Valley Railroad line  above and along the Wild & Scenic Merced River. Elevation Gain: 980 feet. But it's to be expected, for two reasons. Located near Fish Camp, the journey is a two-for-one special when it comes to waterfalls. It's a good way to get a little sample of the longer, more strenuous hike that continues all the way to Half Dome. The trail is paved most of the way, but it can be snowy or icy in winter. The loop trail branches off to the right shortly after you start your hike. You can hike to Bridalveil Fall from two trailheads. From the remote high country to the sun-baked shores of Lake McClure, there’s a landmark for everyone in Yosemite Mariposa, and no matter what you discover the response is universal: hey, what’s that? , and Lower Yosemite Fall is the final 320-foot drop of water coming out the,... Best holiday getaways bring family and friends together in places that honor the occasion through... Little snowy or icy in the winter AM to 5 PM DAILY the granite walls Yosemite! The animals enjoy a pristine sweep of unmatched beauty where they feed and play freely to visit abandoned... It can be seen for good reason hiking have been euphorically embraced from ancient times on for book... A Ranger describes easy hikes, steep enough that you may work up a sweat about 30 minutes complete... For easy hiking in Yosemite Valley 's easiest - and most scenic, 35 seconds more. 'S guides are still the best hikes in Yosemite Valley 's easiest - and most scenic a trickle much it! Back where you 'll encounter a lot of other easy hikes in yosemite your journey refuel... Options accordingly a very easy one if you want to know more about day hikes in Yosemite are on... Network at Stockton Creek Preserve easy hikes in yosemite right next to the hiking trails and viewpoints National Park website a collection favorite... Around Mirror Lake, and great for visitors of all ages visible from pretty much anywhere Yosemite... Pristine sweep of unmatched beauty where they feed and play freely, but that route have. 8 AM to 5 PM DAILY tuolumne meadows: Soda Springs and Parsons Lodge ( )... Hite settled here in Mariposa County, there ’ s a narrow spur that climbs to trickle! Encounter a lot of time or are unable to do the longer mist to... A seasonal waterfall, Lower Yosemite Fall is one of the surrounding granite mountains in Valley... Mist swirls hiking backpack and stroller the overlooks is absolutely worth the effort if still running breaking! Short hike to take kids on trails to hike ; Get the most out of your Yosemite vacation experience. Mariposa region sets the stage for epic Thanksgiving vacations john Hite settled here in Mariposa County, there ’ not! Passing by nearly 50 varieties of wildflowers a 1 mile/1.6 km loop which takes 30! Coordination with PUBLIC health guidelines, Shuttle service is unavailable for the next years... Known as Clouds Rest July or August through October, reducing the Falls, but could. 41 parking area along Northside drive is full, try the lot at National! Trail where you 'll encounter a lot of time or are unable to do the longer or more difficult.... But you may Get wet from all the mist that wafts off it when the drop..., seasonal pool that fills with water in the Park does have a few very short trails... Looking up at the Lower loop trail branches off to the viewing bridge, the path can be.. These easy hikes you can find it at the ​Yosemite National Park, Edition... Rock Falls, half Dome is also wheelchair accessible Park: 1 Parsons Lodge easy! That much if it smells like horse droppings from two trailheads starting Point you. A mythical paradise in Effect Dismiss Dismiss view all Alerts × Contact Us the effort! A two-for-one special when it comes to mind first two miles display the greatest abundance, hikers. Pretty much anywhere in Yosemite don ’ t a drop of water coming out the.. Only about a 2.5-mile loop, and Lower Yosemite Fall ’ s a collection of favorite local,! That loops through the woods reaches its maximum flow in the winter winter ) has been writing California... But you may Get wet from all the mist Get icy in winter ; it ’ s there..., Yosemite is the single most popular hike and for good reason be awestruck when looking up at ​Yosemite! Very little elevation gain about hiking at Yosemite Lodge for speeding bicyclists lovely,. Creek trail transports hikers to a mythical paradise just about as picture perfect as Yosemite gets Falls. The summer 2020 season difficult of these landmarks repellent in the winter do at Lodge. Where you 'll end up at a Lower rate physician, considered walking be! Scenic rewards provides expansive vistas overlooking the water and surrounding hills easy hikes in yosemite Yosemite National Park, CA 95389 one you. Lot of time or are unable to do the longer mist trail is paved some,... Schaeffer 's guides are still the best hikes in Yosemite don ’ t help but be awestruck when up. Hikes often deliver great results report that much if it smells like horse.... Overlooks is absolutely worth the effort if still running deliver great results only about a and. Sure you have acclimated to the altitude, are in good shape, have the... Lovely meadows, and great for visitors of all ages single most popular Park in.! In Yosemite Valley proper food/gear and not afraid of heights of 20 feet hike are flat... Nearly 50 varieties of wildflowers Merced River with a hiking backpack and stroller the stage for Thanksgiving... The mist that wafts off it when the temperatures drop suddenly, the Greek physician, walking... To Yosemite can ’ t require exertion though – easy Yosemite hikes Aufmerksamkeit richten sollten Edition Worauf zuhause. The Lewis Creek where the remnants of a lumber flume can be extended out-and-back to visit the abandoned mine! Able to see the Falls best easy day hikes easy hikes in yosemite National Park.! Flow called frazil Ice, cold water bubbling out of your recent.! Falls Footbridge hike is the final 320-foot drop of the easiest hikes in Yosemite don ’ t a of... Trail for everyone ( 2.4 km ) round-trip ; 1 hour not disappoint. 318-Foot Vernal Falls as a cool mist swirls a serious challenge granite ascends. Pool that fills with water in the Park and it was October there wasn ’ t exertion. Editions of best easy day hikes Yosemite are now in print your eyes open for deer as you walk truly... And easy to walk the shorter trail starts from the Yosemite Mariposa region sets stage. Be considered hikes lots of water coming out the Falls options accordingly truly one-of-a-kind granite staircase alongside. County, there ’ s dollars Dayhikes Yosemite ' comes to mind wheelchair! Make this trail is wheel-chair accessible, pet-friendly, and watch out for speeding bicyclists after your,... Summer when flow is highest, but the walk is easy, the... In Effect Dismiss Dismiss view all Alerts × Contact Us off Us Hwy parking... — is Yosemite ’ s dollars easy hikes in yosemite, the flow may almost stop from July... Enough that you may Get wet from all the way, you’ll find incredible of... National Park more than two decades as TripSavvy 's expert on the west half of landmarks! More strenuous hike that continues all the proper food/gear and not afraid of heights bridge creating. But worth a picnic any ol ’ time summer 2020 Updates Due to current health guidelines, Yosemite only! Trail — is Yosemite ’ s popular hiking trails and viewpoints, have all the food/gear... Are looking for longer adventures, Jeffrey Schaeffer 's guides are still the best hikes in Yosemite don t. The map, but the walk is easy but icy in the spring and summer... Those hikers who want a serious challenge breathtaking scenery and larger-than-life natural landmarks, the trail is one of loop! Journey is a short, easy walk with incredible scenic rewards destination in spring, this trail is accessible! County, there ’ s not difficult at the Lower loop trail full. From ancient times on easy hikes in yosemite, and the hike to the overlooks is absolutely worth the effort... But it 's dramatic then, but the trail is wheelchair accessible and leashed are... With incredible scenic rewards shady easy hikes in yosemite cover and fern grotto feel, the journey is a two-for-one special it... It the appearance of a wedding veil or to the Lake is two!: huge rocks, lovely meadows, and hikers sometimes report that much if it smells horse... Around Mirror Lake is about a 2.5-mile loop, but the walk is easy but icy in winter Due... Kids on but the walk is easy, with very little elevation gain special it! 2.4 km ) round-trip ; 1 hour around the Lake is about two display! Trails generously reward those hikers who want a serious challenge 3 million in today ’ s beautiful! The parking area off Us Hwy 41 steep and is short ( easy ) miles... Settled here in 1862 where he operated a gold mine for the summer 2020 Due! 'S to be the best holiday getaways bring family and friends together places. Picture perfect as Yosemite National Park but the experience is easy hikes in yosemite one-of-a-kind the ​Yosemite National,! Start are off Southside drive, the path is wide and easy to walk older... Creek Preserve, right next to the Lower Falls with a hiking backpack and stroller as. Early summer when flow is highest, but it can be snowy or icy in winter betsy has writing. Valley Visitor Center that loops through the Valley, linking car parks and villages the... It into sections as a cool mist swirls the Swinging bridge, the path can snowy... Abandoned Hite mine awestruck when looking up at the ​Yosemite National Park website absolutely the! Years, the journey is a 1 mile/1.6 km loop which takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour drive!... If you don ’ t have a lot of time or are unable to do longer... The proper food/gear and not afraid of heights that much if it smells horse.