Crocker Point

Crocker Point sits along the south rim of Yosemite Valley, a half-mile past Dewey Point on the same stretch of the Pohono Trail. The payoff for the extra steps is a rare straight-on alignment of El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall across the valley — a view few people see, because it takes a hike to reach rather than a drive to a pullout.

Getting There

The standard approach starts at the McGurk Meadow Trailhead on Glacier Point Road, not from the Valley floor. From there it's roughly 9.2 miles round trip to take in both Dewey Point and Crocker Point, with about 895 feet of elevation gain — rated moderate, and typically a 3.5 to 6 hour outing. The route crosses McGurk Meadow, passes a historic cabin site, then joins the Pohono Trail heading out to the rim. Glacier Point Road is only open roughly June through October, so this one's a summer-and-fall hike.

What You'll See

• El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks framing the valley from an angle no roadside viewpoint gives you
• Bridalveil Fall, visible from Crocker Point even when Dewey Point alone doesn't show it
• Half Dome and the Yosemite high country to the east

Hikers walking the full Pohono Trail point-to-point (Tunnel View to Glacier Point) pass Crocker Point from the opposite direction, climbing steadily up from the Valley floor — a longer, steeper day than the out-and-back from Glacier Point Road.

Good to Know

There's no water source along this stretch and no facilities at the point itself, so carry what the full outing requires. In winter, the same ground becomes a groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe route out of Badger Pass.