Chinquapin Trail

The Chinquapin Trail climbs from the Glacier Point Road junction — the spot everyone in Yosemite just calls "Chinquapin," where Wawona Road meets the turnoff to Glacier Point — up through mixed conifer forest to Badger Pass Ski Area. It's a moderate out-and-back of roughly 5.2 miles round trip with about 1,270 feet of elevation gain, usually a 3 to 3.5 hour outing.

What to Expect

This is a forest trail, not a viewpoint hike — there's no dramatic overlook waiting at the end, just steady, shaded climbing through white fir and Jeffrey pine with wildflowers showing up in season. Trailgoers report it stays quieter than the rest of the Glacier Point Road corridor, even in summer. Dogs are not allowed on this trail.

A Different Trail in Winter

Once snow closes Glacier Point Road beyond Badger Pass each winter, the road itself converts into a groomed route for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and the Chinquapin Trail becomes one of the access points into that network — a shorter winter outing than pushing all the way toward Glacier Point.

Start at the restroom area at the Chinquapin junction on Highway 41, and carry a valid park pass, since the trail sits inside Yosemite National Park.