Grizzly Peak

Grizzly Peak is the rugged gray promontory you notice on the southwest wall of Yosemite Valley, sitting directly below Half Dome and looming over the canyon that carries the trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls. At 6,222 feet in elevation, it's one of the Valley's more recognizable formations — but there's no trail to the summit, and reaching the top is a serious undertaking, not a hike.

Where to See It

You don't need to climb Grizzly Peak to appreciate it. The classic view comes from the Mist Trail on the way to Vernal and Nevada Falls, where the peak rises directly above the canyon. It's also visible from Glacier Point and several other Valley overlooks, standing out as a distinct promontory beneath Half Dome's northwest side.

Reaching the Summit

The top of Grizzly Peak has no maintained trail. The established route is an off-trail scramble rated Class 3 on the Yosemite Decimal System — exposed terrain with loose rock that calls for scrambling experience, sturdy footwear, and solid route-finding rather than a casual outing. Charles A. Bailey made the first recorded ascent in 1885, and the peak remains a niche objective for climbers and experienced scramblers today, not a general-visitor destination.