Yosemite National Park Glacier Point Hiking

Note:

The Glacier Point Road is open from late May or early June through sometime in November.

McGurk Meadow, Bridalveil Creek, Dewey Point

Difficulty: Moderate 2 to 3 hours

Bridalveil: 4 mi / 6.4 km No

Difficulty: Moderate 3 to 5 hours

Dewey Point: 7 mi / 11.2 No

Start: McGurk Meadow trailhead parking area, just west of the Bridalveil Creek Campground turnoff along the Glacier Point Road.

The trail leads downhill to an old cabin built by John McGurk and a large meadow. Continue east (right) at the trail junction to get to Bridalveil Creek (4 mi / 6.4 km) or continue west to a Dewey Point (7 mi / 11.2 km), which has a spectacular view of western Yosemite Valley.

Ostrander Lake

Difficulty: 8 to 10 hours

Roundtrip: 12.7 mi / 20.3 km No

Start: Ostrander Lake trailhead parking area, 1.3 mi (2.1 km) east of Bridalveil Creek Campground, along the Glacier Point Road.

The first half of this hike gains little elevation; the second half gains about 1,500 ft (450 m). As you climb, you gain views of the Clark Range and, eventually, you arrive at Ostrander Lake.

Mono Meadow

Difficulty: Strenuous 2 to 3 hours

Roundtrip: 3 mi / 4.8 km No

Start: Mono Meadow trailhead parking area, 2.5 mi (4 km) east of Bridalveil Creek Campground, along the Glacier Point Road.

The trail descends steeply to Mono Medow, an area which is wet--particularly early to mid summer (be sure to stay on the trail, even if it is muddy). Shortly after you leave Mono Meadow, you will arrive at an unmarked clearing with views of the Clark Range, Mount Starr King, and Half Dome.

Taft Point

Difficulty: Moderate 2 hours

Roundtrip: 2.2 mi / 3.5 km No

Start: Sentinel Dome/Taft Point trailhead parking area, 6 mi (9.6 km) east of Bridalveil Creek Campground, along the Glacier Point Road.

This relatively easy hike takes you to the edge of Yosemite Valley. As you approach Taft Point, keep your eye out for fissures--deep cracks that extend hundreds of feet downards. At railed-in Taft Point, you have a breathtaking view of Yosemite Valley, 2,000 feet ( 600 m) below.

Sentinel Dome

Difficulty: Moderate 2 hours

Roundtrip: 2.2 mi / 3.5 km No

Start: Sentinel Dome/Taft Point trailhead parking area, 6 mi (9.6 km) east of Bridalveil Creek Campground, along the Glacier Point Road.

This relatively easy hike takes you to the base of Sentinel Dome, where you can scramble up the granite slope of the dome (it is not especially steep on its northeast side). From the top, you have a spectacular 360 view of Yosemite Valley (including Yosemite, Vernal, and Nevada Falls) and parts of the high country.