Trips
Hike For Discovery
Panorama Trail - Glacier Point
Though fairly long at 8.7 miles, the Panorama Trail is considered "moderate": The trail is 1,420' up, and 4,600' down. This mostly downhill trail from Glacier Point to 
Curry Village in Yosemite Valley is a real classic. This trail offers ever-changing views of Yosemite Valley, most of its famous waterfalls including close-up views of both Nevada and Vernal Falls, Little Yosemite Valley and much of Yosemite's high country. On this trail the views never end!
Starting at Glacier Point, the trail begins a 2 mile downhill section, with wonderful views, to a bridge- crossing at Illilouette Creek. After a short stop along the bank of this stream we climb a moderate 1.5 miles to the top of Panorama Wall, a huge cliff above the Merced River Canyon as it leads from Yosemite Valley to Little Yosemite Valley. From here the trail is mostly downhill all the way to Yosemite Valley. From the high point we continue downhill approximately another mile to a junction with a trail leading to the lake basins and wilderness of the southern end of Yosemite National Park. Another mile leads to the junction with the John Muir Trail about 1/2 mile west of the top of Nevada Fall. We turn right to the top of the Fall for our lunch break.
After lunch we retrace our steps back to the junction and then continue down the Muir Trail towards Yosemite Valley. After just over one easy mile we leave the Muir Trail and take a side trail towards the top of Vernal Fall and along the way stop at one of the best overall views of the Falls. We continue along the trail to another junction that takes us to Vernal Fall. After a stop for an optional look directly over the edge of Vernal Fall we go up a short way then begin the steep steps down the wet and well named Mist Trail. After the steps we re-join the Muir Trail, follow it to Happy Isles on the Valley floor and then continue to Curry Village.
We hope you will join us this year for a great cause in one of the worlds most beautiful places!