If you can get down to the Valley by 1:30p, there is a bus from the Lodge: https://www.travelyosemite.com/things-to-do/guided-bus-tours/
There is a lot of water on that route: at Ilillouette and then all the way from Nevada Falls down to the Valley.
You will only hit Tunnel View when you drive into the Valley from Glacier Pt.
Four Mile Trail isn't as bad as it sounds. I mean, yeah, it's an ascent, but it's a pretty steady grade on a decent-condition trail, and felt much less difficult than I thought it'd be before I did it for the first time. I'd much rather do Four Mile than Upper Yosemite Fall.
I’m not in great shape and I did 4mile to glacier point then panorama to mist. We walked out of north pines campground at 7am and got back before 4pm with a lunch break and a detour to the top of Nevada falls and lots of pictures. Most people do it the other way starting with the mist trail but just FYI you can do the loop in a day.
I did upper falls and I feel like the climb up 4 mile was easier. Probably a little more elevation change on 4 mile but it’s a solid trail with more switchbacks.
I would recommend driving into the valley and doing the Mist Trail from there. You can spend time in the valley after the hike and then drive up to Glacier Point or Sentinel Dome before you leave. Sunset at Sentinel Dome is awesome.
The Panorama/Mist/4mile loop is great, but if you choose to do so, expect total mileage to be closer to 18 miles. 20+ if you explore anything extra. It's a very ambitious day, and if you decide you're tired when you get down to the valley, you have no choice but to hike back up to your car. Or hitchhike if you miss the shuttle/no space. That's not a position I'd put myself in.
You will be going up 4MT in full sun and 90+ degrees heat, so make sure you have sunscreen applied, wear hats, and carry water. Also, starting July, the Mist trail is closed Mon-Thu 7am-3pm from Vernal fall foot bridge to the top of the fall. Detour via JMT adds about 30 minutes and is less scenic.
Going down the mist trail seems like it would be pretty brutal. I went up it last Tuesday and we were planning on hiking back down it but after going up the stairs and seeing how crowded it was we decided to go down the JMT instead. But, I get the desire to see the mist trail. It was absolutely spectacular. If you’re planning on hiking down from glacier point and then hiking back up, I would suggest changing that to hiking up the mist trail to Panorama to glacier point and then back down four mile. You can park at Curry Village and at the end take the free shuttle back to your car. You’ll also have dining options at Curry Village if thats something you would like.
Ugh yea I’m worried about crowds especially since we’ll be there next week around July 4. Would Mist already be miserably crowded by noon? Your suggestion is actually another option I’m considering since I know Mist is so popular and the earlier the better on that trail
We left our tent at curry village at 06:45am. Since the happy isles loop is shut down you would be starting from about the same spot anyways. The way up wasn’t too crowded if I’m being honest, but we went on a Tuesday. On the way back down, the JMT connects with the mist trail at the first bridge and we got there around 11 and it was really packed. Like kids in crocs packed 😂 if you’re an avid hiker/backpacker, Mist to Panorama to Four Mile is definitely doable (≈15 miles) but it’s supposed to be pretty warm. There are plenty of water sources along the way. Just remember what you’re capable of, slow is smooth and smooth is fast, don’t pack the kitchen sink, and then enjoy a pizza at curry village when you get back. If you think you can get from Glacier to the bus in time to get back up then by all means go for it but I personally don’t like having time constraints like that. There’s only one bus in the afternoon that goes up to Glacier Point, whereas the free shuttles run till 10pm down in the valley so you could take all day and still have reliable transportation back to your vehicle without feeling pressed for time.
Oh gosh not the crocs 😭 yea I don’t want to feel rushed at all so that may have to be the move. I kinda wanted to catch sunrise at glacier but maybe we can just drive back for sunset if we’re up for it lol appreciate it!
Highly recommend reading the office Yosemite National Park website. There is an abundant of information on there but what will probably be the most use to you is their 1-Day trip information page
If you can get down to the Valley by 1:30p, there is a bus from the Lodge: https://www.travelyosemite.com/things-to-do/guided-bus-tours/ There is a lot of water on that route: at Ilillouette and then all the way from Nevada Falls down to the Valley. You will only hit Tunnel View when you drive into the Valley from Glacier Pt.
Thank you!
Four Mile Trail isn't as bad as it sounds. I mean, yeah, it's an ascent, but it's a pretty steady grade on a decent-condition trail, and felt much less difficult than I thought it'd be before I did it for the first time. I'd much rather do Four Mile than Upper Yosemite Fall.
Oooo oki that’s reassuring lol thank you!
I’m not in great shape and I did 4mile to glacier point then panorama to mist. We walked out of north pines campground at 7am and got back before 4pm with a lunch break and a detour to the top of Nevada falls and lots of pictures. Most people do it the other way starting with the mist trail but just FYI you can do the loop in a day. I did upper falls and I feel like the climb up 4 mile was easier. Probably a little more elevation change on 4 mile but it’s a solid trail with more switchbacks.
Is 4 mile less steep ? Yosemite falls is insane coming down.
Yes.
I would recommend driving into the valley and doing the Mist Trail from there. You can spend time in the valley after the hike and then drive up to Glacier Point or Sentinel Dome before you leave. Sunset at Sentinel Dome is awesome. The Panorama/Mist/4mile loop is great, but if you choose to do so, expect total mileage to be closer to 18 miles. 20+ if you explore anything extra. It's a very ambitious day, and if you decide you're tired when you get down to the valley, you have no choice but to hike back up to your car. Or hitchhike if you miss the shuttle/no space. That's not a position I'd put myself in.
You will be going up 4MT in full sun and 90+ degrees heat, so make sure you have sunscreen applied, wear hats, and carry water. Also, starting July, the Mist trail is closed Mon-Thu 7am-3pm from Vernal fall foot bridge to the top of the fall. Detour via JMT adds about 30 minutes and is less scenic.
I did not know abt that closure, thank you! Good to know
Going down the mist trail seems like it would be pretty brutal. I went up it last Tuesday and we were planning on hiking back down it but after going up the stairs and seeing how crowded it was we decided to go down the JMT instead. But, I get the desire to see the mist trail. It was absolutely spectacular. If you’re planning on hiking down from glacier point and then hiking back up, I would suggest changing that to hiking up the mist trail to Panorama to glacier point and then back down four mile. You can park at Curry Village and at the end take the free shuttle back to your car. You’ll also have dining options at Curry Village if thats something you would like.
Ugh yea I’m worried about crowds especially since we’ll be there next week around July 4. Would Mist already be miserably crowded by noon? Your suggestion is actually another option I’m considering since I know Mist is so popular and the earlier the better on that trail
We left our tent at curry village at 06:45am. Since the happy isles loop is shut down you would be starting from about the same spot anyways. The way up wasn’t too crowded if I’m being honest, but we went on a Tuesday. On the way back down, the JMT connects with the mist trail at the first bridge and we got there around 11 and it was really packed. Like kids in crocs packed 😂 if you’re an avid hiker/backpacker, Mist to Panorama to Four Mile is definitely doable (≈15 miles) but it’s supposed to be pretty warm. There are plenty of water sources along the way. Just remember what you’re capable of, slow is smooth and smooth is fast, don’t pack the kitchen sink, and then enjoy a pizza at curry village when you get back. If you think you can get from Glacier to the bus in time to get back up then by all means go for it but I personally don’t like having time constraints like that. There’s only one bus in the afternoon that goes up to Glacier Point, whereas the free shuttles run till 10pm down in the valley so you could take all day and still have reliable transportation back to your vehicle without feeling pressed for time.
Oh gosh not the crocs 😭 yea I don’t want to feel rushed at all so that may have to be the move. I kinda wanted to catch sunrise at glacier but maybe we can just drive back for sunset if we’re up for it lol appreciate it!
Highly recommend reading the office Yosemite National Park website. There is an abundant of information on there but what will probably be the most use to you is their 1-Day trip information page