Yosemite Hiking Trips

Panorama Trail Yosemite Day Hike

  • Privately Guided Hiking in Yosemite National Park
  • About the Trip: The Panorama Trail above Yosemite Valley is a true classic! The 8.5-mile trail offers stunning views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls, beginning on the southeastern rim and ending in Yosemite Valley 3,000 feet below. SYMG guides are professional, highly experienced and enjoyable people to be around. All have spent years perfecting their interpretive and mountain skills in and around Yosemite and look forward to not only teaching and guiding you in these spectacular locations, but getting to know you as well.
  • Group Size: Up to 10 hikers per guide
  • Grade: All levels of hiking both on trail and cross country are available. This includes short hikes focusing on the natural and human history of the area to more challenging hiking in the high country.
  • Equipment: The guide(s) carries a map, water filter, first aid and emergency items. Some guides may also carry binoculars, bird books, and/or other natural history guides for your use.
  • Meals: No meals are provided. Bring snacks & light lunch food, as well as 2 liters of water.
  • Cost of the Trip: $395 for 1-6 people. $70 for each additional participant up to 10 hikers with one guide
  • Your Cost Includes: Your personal guide.
  • Not Included: Personal gear, lunch, water, transportation and tips for guides (15-20% of trip cost recommended).
  • Preparation: Hiking and reading literature on the Yosemite area to familiarize yourself with the flora and fauna of the area, as well as the region's natural history.
  • Itinerary:

    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 waterfall 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 to 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.

Back to all Hiking trips