Four Mile Trailhead

The Four Mile Trailhead sits off Southside Drive in Yosemite Valley, between the Swinging Bridge Picnic Area and Sentinel Beach, and it's the Valley-floor start of one of the park's classic climbs — a steady, switchbacking ascent to Glacier Point. The name undersells it: the route actually runs about 4.8 miles one-way with roughly 3,200 feet of elevation gain, working up through forest and open granite benches with views of Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, Sentinel Rock, and Half Dome opening up as you climb.

What the Climb Involves

This is a steep, sustained trail that the National Park Service rates moderate to strenuous — steady switchbacks with little flat ground and limited shade for long stretches, so plan for real exertion and an early start if you're hiking in summer heat.

Planning the Trip

• Round trip to Glacier Point and back down is about 9.6 miles with 3,200 feet of elevation gain, and the Park Service estimates 6-8 hours for the full out-and-back.
• There's no shuttle service to carry hikers from Glacier Point back down to the Valley, so factor the return — whether that's hiking back down or arranging your own transportation — into your plan before you start.
• The trail is seasonal: it typically opens in May and closes below Union Point once snow piles up, usually by November or December.

What's at the Top

Glacier Point itself has restrooms and a seasonal snack stand in summer, plus one of the best panoramic overlooks in the park, looking out at Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and the length of Tenaya Canyon.