A Scenic Adventure: Hiking Yosemite’s Panorama Trail

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In case it’s not obvious by now, I love a good waterfall. And the waterfalls at Yosemite National Park are my absolute favorite. That’s why I absolutely love The Panorama Trail in Yosemite–it brings you up close and personal to three of the most stunning waterfalls at Yosemite National Park.

The Panorama Trail is one of the best hikes in all of Yosemite, and is definitely one of the most scenic. And it’s not nearly as crowded as any of the other famous hikes, like Half Dome, Vernal Falls or Yosemite Falls. Yet it offers spectacular views of both Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls and another less-known (but still gorgeous) waterfall, Illilouette Falls.

Whether you are lucky enough to be camping in Yosemite, or you’re just visiting for the day, the Panorama Trail is a great one to add to your agenda. I’d recommend staying in a campground or nearby hotel so you can get an early start on it.

Planning Your Hike

The Panorama Trail in Yosemite is 8.5 miles, but takes an average of 6-7 hours to complete. Don’t let that stop you. It’s actually on the of the easy Yosemite hikes, due to the fact that if you start at Glacier Point, you’ll be descending for most of the hike.

And the 6-7 hours takes into account the fact that you’ll be stopping for pictures of the fantastic views all along the way. The trail ends down at Happy Isles, so from there you can head back to your car or take a shuttle to another point in the park.

Check out my Amazon store for all your hiking essentials before you hit the trails.

What’s tricky about Panorama Trail in Yosemite is coordinating transportation, unless you plan to hike out and back.

Most people choose to start the hike at Glacier Point for a few reasons. One, it’s easier to coordinate a ride or shuttle dropping you off up there. Two, it makes for a much easier hike. If you start in the Valley and hike up to Glacier Point, you either need to wait awhile for your ride (or perhaps they’ll be waiting awhile for you if you took your time), or you’d have to then hike back down. There is a shorter, but steeper, 4-mile trail back down to the valley, if you go that route.

The Panorama Trail: What to Expect

When you start at Glacier Point, you’ll be looking 2700 feet down into the valley. Enjoy breathtaking views of Half Dome, Nevada Falls and Vernal Falls before you even start.

Roughly two miles into your trek down, you’ll have the most amazing view of the first of three waterfalls at Yosemite that you’ll see on this hike: Illilouette Falls, a beautiful 370-ft. waterfall.

At just over six miles into your hike down the Panorama Trail, you’ll be at the top of one of the most famous waterfalls in Yosemite: Nevada Falls.

Near the top of Nevada Falls, you’ll find a fork in the trail. You can choose to venture down the John Muir Trail or take the Mist Trail back. We took the Mist Trail because we love that trail and getting so close to Vernal Falls.

The Mist Trail is the steeper of the two options, and gets very slippery on the steps down. The John Muir Trail is less steep, but travels away from the water and is a little bit longer.

You will have some amazing views of Nevada Falls from above. And regardless of which trail you choose, you’ll have more spectacular views of it looking back after you pass.

From the bottom of Nevada Falls, you’re about 3 miles away from Happy Isles. You’ll continue along the Panorama Trail in Yosemite down a steep descent. After 1.5 more miles, you’ll reach the Emerald Pool on top of Vernal Falls. Do not go into the Emerald Pool, no matter how calm the water looks. People have been swept over the falls to their deaths. It’s not worth the risk.

Descending the Mist Trail

As you continue down, you’ll find the famous granite stairs that descend next to Vernal Falls. Depending on the time of year and how much the falls are flowing, these stairs tend to be soaked. You’ll likely get wet too, hence the name Mist Trail. Use extra caution and take your time. They can be very slippery. And this trail is very popular, so there will likely be a constant stream of hikers coming up.

At the base of Vernal Falls, you’ll be almost done with your hike. You’ll cross over the footbridge that gives you one last photo op of the falls in the background. Then you’ll descend your final .8 miles down to Happy Isles.

Final Thoughts on the Panorama Trail

Getting to see three beautiful waterfalls at Yosemite, plus beautiful views of Half Dome and the entire Yosemite valley, The Panorama Trail is truly one of the most scenic trails in all of Yosemite. It is definitely worth the trek in my opinion.

Be sure to check out my kid-friendly Yosemite hikes as well, if you’re looking for some family hikes. And click here to find out how you can get into Yosemite for free if you have a 4th grader.

If you’re visiting other national parks in the area, be sure to check out my favorite Sequoia National Park hikes and attractions as well.

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