Union Point

Union Point is a wide, open overlook on the Four Mile Trail, the steep old toll-trail route that climbs from the base of Sentinel Rock in Yosemite Valley up to Glacier Point. Sitting at roughly 6,300 feet, it's the point where the forest finally breaks and the view opens up: El Capitan and the valley entrance to one side, North Dome, Half Dome, and Clouds Rest to the other, with Yosemite Falls visible across the canyon for much of the climb.

Trail Details

• The full Four Mile Trail runs 4.8 miles one-way (9.6 miles round trip) to Glacier Point with 3,200 feet of elevation gain, rated strenuous by the National Park Service.
• Union Point sits roughly two-thirds of the way up and works well as its own turnaround: the out-and-back to Union Point covers about 6.6 miles round trip with 2,381 feet of gain, rated a hard hike that typically takes 4.5 to 5 hours.
• Dogs are not permitted on this trail.

Getting There

The trailhead is on Southside Drive near Sentinel Rock, close to Sentinel Beach and the Swinging Bridge picnic area. The route is a continuous series of steep, largely paved switchbacks with almost no shade, so an early start matters more here than on flatter valley trails.

Best Time to Go

May through October is the recommended window. Pack bug spray for late spring and early summer, and carry enough water — there's no reliable source once you leave the valley floor.