Team In Training- Yosemite Hike Descriptions 2019 SOUTHERN YOSEMITE MOUNTAIN GUIDES MEMORABLE MOUNTAIN TRIPS SINCE 1991 MIRROR LAKE LOOP On this 6 mile hike we will travel along the East of Yosemite Valley and follow Tenaya Creek which leads up Tenaya Canyon. We will follow the trail to the dramatic viewpoint made famous by one of Ansel Adams’ photographs. As we hike up the canyon, we will enjoy the jaw dropping perspective staring 5000’+ above us to the top of Tis-si-ack (also known as Half Dome). We’ll hear the first people’s (Ahwahneechee) legend of this incredible monolith that we travel past and then return below on the opposite side of the canyon. Distance: 6 miles ​ Challenge Level: 1 - Moderate ​ Elevation Gain & Loss: +600 / -600 ​ Starting Elevation: 4000’ ​ Max Elevation: 4200’ ​ SOUTHERN YOSEMITE MOUNTAIN GUIDES MEMORABLE MOUNTAIN TRIPS SINCE 1991 EL CAP OUT-N-BACK Trail description: On this 6 mile hike, we will weave our way along the Valley floor, escaping the crowds and explore the ​ west end of the Valley. This hike brings us through Leidig Meadow, past the Devil’s Elbow and out to the glorious El Cap Meadow. We’ll take in North America's largest monolith at over 3000’ in height. You will learn about the recent climbing exploits of modern climbers including Tommy Caldwell and Alex Honnold as we follow the famous climbers trail and actually touch the start of El Caps most famous rock climb, “The Nose”. We’ll then retrace our path back to our starting point at Yosemite Lodge. Distance: 6 miles ​ Challenge Level: 2 - Moderate+ ​ Elevation Gain & Loss: 400’+ / 400’- ​ Starting Elevation: 3981’ ​ Max Elevation: 4160’ ​ SOUTHERN YOSEMITE MOUNTAIN GUIDES MEMORABLE MOUNTAIN TRIPS SINCE 1991 CLARK POINT LOOP (MIST TRAIL) Trail Description: On this 6 mile hike we will ascend Yosemite’s “Grand Staircase” to the dramatic overlooks of Vernal ​ Falls and Nevada Falls. Don’t forget to bring a rain jacket for this one as we’ll be hiking up the famous and aptly named “Mist Trail”, which travels right alongside both of these iconic waterfalls. As we hike we’ll feel the wind and perhaps mist from the falls themselves! Hikers of the Mist Trail will encounter several hundred granite steps, which are likely to be wet in June. After a brief stop overlooking Vernal Falls, we’ll continue our hike up another set of granite stairs to the top of Nevada Falls where we’ll enjoy lunch. Our hike will then complete a loop that brings us past several more scenic viewpoints and on to the John Muir Trail. Following the JMT, we’ll make a quick side trip to Clark Point which is named after Yosemite’s original gatekeeper, Galen Clark. We’ll then follow the JMT the rest of the way down to Yosemite Valley. Distance: 6 miles ​ Challenge Level: 3 - Challenging ​ Elevation Gain & Loss: +2214 / -2220 ​ Starting Elevation: 4000’ ​ Max Elevation: 5500’ ​ SOUTHERN YOSEMITE MOUNTAIN GUIDES MEMORABLE MOUNTAIN TRIPS SINCE 1991 PANORAMA TRAIL The Panorama Trail above Yosemite Valley is a true classic! The 8.5-mile trail offers stunning views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls, beginning on the southeastern rim and ending in Yosemite Valley 3,000 feet below. Description: Starting at Glacier Point, the trail begins with a 2-mile downhill section with wonderful views, to a bridge crossing at Illilouette Creek. After a short stop along the stream we climb a moderate 1.5 miles to the top of Panorama Wall, a huge cliff above the Merced River Canyon as it leads from Yosemite Valley to Little Yosemite Valley. From here the trail is mostly downhill all the way to Yosemite Valley. From this high point, we continue downhill passing several trail junctions before intersecting with the John Muir Trail about 1/2 mile west of the top of Nevada Fall. We turn right to the top of the fall for our lunch break. After lunch, we descend to Yosemite Valley by following the “Wild and Scenic” Merced River. There are two variations, the Mist Trail and John Muir Trail, and each of the two Panorama Groups will exit via a different trail. The Mist Trail travels right alongside both Vernal and Nevada Falls, feeling the wind and perhaps mist from the falls themselves. Hikers of the Mist Trail will encounter several hundred granite steps, which are likely to be wet in June. The John Muir Trail is ¾ mile longer and is a gentler grade. The trail is mostly forested and occasionally breaks out for sweeping overlooks of the two waterfalls from various vantage points. Both variations are very scenic and memorable. Distance: 8.5 miles ​ Challenge Level: 3 - Challenging ​ Elevation Gain & Loss: +1,420’ / -4,600’ ​ Starting Elevation: 7250’ ​ Ending Elevation: 4000’ ​ SOUTHERN YOSEMITE MOUNTAIN GUIDES MEMORABLE MOUNTAIN TRIPS SINCE 1991 SOUTHERN YOSEMITE MOUNTAIN GUIDES MEMORABLE MOUNTAIN TRIPS SINCE 1991 SENTINEL - PANORAMA TRAIL Description: Beginning at the Sentinel Dome Trailhead we hike 1 mile to the summit of Sentinel Dome perched high ​ above Yosemite Valley. From there, we drop several hundred feet over 1 additional mile to Glacier Point where we connect with the Panorama Trail. We’ll continue on a 2-mile downhill section with wonderful views, to a bridge crossing at Illilouette Creek. After a short stop along the stream we climb a moderate 1.5 miles to the top of Panorama Wall, a huge cliff above the Merced River Canyon as it leads from Yosemite Valley to Little Yosemite Valley. From here the trail is mostly downhill all the way to Yosemite Valley. From this high point, we continue downhill passing several trail junctions before intersecting with the John Muir Trail about 1/2 mile west of the top of Nevada Fall. We turn right to the top of the fall for our lunch break. After lunch, we descend to Yosemite Valley by following the “Wild and Scenic” Merced River. There are two variations, the Mist Trail and John Muir Trail: the Mist Trail travels right alongside both Vernal and Nevada Falls, feeling the wind and perhaps mist from the falls themselves. Hikers of the Mist Trail will encounter several hundred granite steps, which are likely to be wet in June. The John Muir Trail is ¾ mile longer and is a gentler grade. The trail is mostly forested and occasionally breaks out for sweeping overlooks of the two waterfalls from various vantage points. Both variations are very scenic and memorable. Distance: 10.5 miles ​ Challenge Level: 4 - Strenuous ​ ​ ​ Elevation Gain & Loss: +2100’/ - 5300’ ​ Starting Elevation: 7250’ ​ Max Elevation: 8095’ ​ SOUTHERN YOSEMITE MOUNTAIN GUIDES MEMORABLE MOUNTAIN TRIPS SINCE 1991 YOSEMITE FALLS TRAIL Hike up alongside North America’s highest waterfall, Yosemite Falls (2,425’). Highlights of this famous trail include full springtime water conditions (i.e. full waterfalls!), the exhilarating overlook atop Yosemite Falls and the sweeping panoramic vista from Yosemite Point. Trail Description: Starting at Camp 4 (the rock climber’s walk in campground) the trail begins a steady, fairly steep series ​ of switchbacks for just over a mile to the crossing of a seasonal stream. After a short level section the trail switchbacks steeply for about another 1/2 mile to the old Columbia Point and views of Yosemite Valley and Mt. Clark in the high country. A few more steep, sandy switchbacks and the trail levels, drops downhill and levels again before reaching a spectacular and noisy (lots of crashing water in season) view of upper Yosemite Fall. A short side trail leads to “Oh My Gosh Point” and a view of the Upper Fall as well as a view straight down to the Lower Fall. Continuing on the main trail we drop down again, level out and the follow a long series of switchbacks to the top of the Upper Fall area. A short, exciting, side trail leads to a view straight down the Upper Fall. Back on the main trail we drop down to Yosemite Creek, cross it on a strong bridge and continue for a moderate 1 uphill mile to the top of Yosemite Point, just over 3,000 feet above Yosemite Valley. At the railing we can look down the cliff face into Yosemite Valley, see the Lost Arrow Spire and, with luck, maybe some climbers on the spire. We’ll also have fine views of the Clark Range and the high country and down to the Valley. After lunch and enjoying the view we retrace our steps to the Valley floor. Distance: 9 miles ​ Challenge Level: 4 - Strenuous ​ Elevation Gain & Loss: +3814’ / -3814’ ​ Starting Elevation: 3981’ ​ Max Elevation: 6700’ ​ SOUTHERN YOSEMITE MOUNTAIN GUIDES MEMORABLE MOUNTAIN TRIPS SINCE 1991 YOSEMITE BIG LOOP This challenging hike traverses the eastern end of Yosemite Valley’s south rim, beginning and ending from deep within Yosemite Valley itself. Highlights include ever-changing panoramic views of Yosemite Valley, savoring views of the snowy high country from Sentinel Dome, a visit to Glacier Point, and getting up close to some of Yosemite’s most iconic waterfalls. Trail description: Ultimate challenge! This is a long hike with significant elevation gain and loss, beginning in Yosemite ​ Valley at the 4-mile Trail trailhead. We’ll hike a steep 4.6 miles to Glacier Point (the trail has been reworked from it’s original late 1800’s route and is now 0.6 miles longer). This trail is one of the very few places with top to bottom views of the 2,425’ Yosemite Falls, North America’s highest waterfall. We then complete a side trip to Sentinel Dome (8,122 feet), roundtrip 3 miles from Glacier Point.