Four Mile Trail
Four Mile Trail
4.5
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Nate S
3 contributions
June 2023 • Family
This hike with the highlight of our family trip! So beautiful and challenging, but our entire family including an athletic nine year old made it up in the average amount of time expected complete it without issue. We had not originally planned to take this hike if the road had been open. But, wouldn't have wanted to miss this awe-inspiring journey. Some of our best pictures from the entire trip came from this hike! Just driving to the top would've missed the incredible journey! We are so glad we chose to stretch our physical limits! There is a rustic bathroom open at the summit even though the road is closed.
Written 22 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
🩷globalgirl🩷
Beverly Hills, CA56 contributions
July 2021 • Family
This was a strenuous and rewarding hike! This was my first hike while visiting Yosemite for the first time!! I love morning hikes as there is less traffic and you really get to enjoy the peaceful sounds of nature. I arrived at 8am on Saturday morning and found plenty of parking along the road. You will see the sign ‘four miles trail’ from the road. Started the hike at 8:10am. This is a steep steady incline of a hike with constant switchbacks all the way up. This is also more closer to a 5 mile hike and that’s one way all the way up so coming down you would be doing close to 10 miles in total. Halfway up I got a bit freaked out doing a solo hike as i thought I would see more hikers than I actually did. I only saw 4 people while I was going up. I also am afraid of heights with certain things so there were definitely some points where I was as close to the rocks as I could be. When I thought about going back, my body just turned around with determination and continued onward, so glad I did!! It was very rewarding when I reached the top. The views are magnificent and you get a great view of half dome. Be prepared to see quite a few people at the top as there are tour buses that drive people to the top of glacier point. I stayed up here to have snacks and enjoy the views. They have a filling station for water that was working thankfully.
Made it up in 2hrs 35 minutes, very happy with my time! I’m 44 and I work out 5-6 days a week, mainly strength training. The way up is definitely all glutes, hamstrings and calves. The way down, you would think would be a lot quicker but I took my time as it’s very steep and there’s loose gravel and you can definitely slip. The way down is all quads. Got back to my car at 2:20pm. I saw some people struggling half mile into the hike when I was coming down. I definitely told them to go another day when it’s early morning as it was all sun when they were starting and hot! When I started it was 68-70 degrees, when I finished it was 95 degrees. It was also all shade on the way up and all sun on the way down. Didn’t get to see Yosemite falls as there were none but you do get amazing views. My body wasn’t sore the next day but 2 days later…ouch… after ending up also doing 2 hikes the next day after this one.
What I brought…drank about 2.5 liters of water, I add lemon slices to my water for vitamins, BCAA’s. Apple, clementines, a meal bar, gum, sunscreen, lip moisturizer (helps when you’re thirsty), money as the have a shop you can buy snacks at the top but I was good with what I brought, a hand towel- I put this on my shoulders and held it with my backpack draped on my shoulders, helped out sooo much since it was all sun on the way down.
Happy to say I conquered this one! Would I do it again? Probably not as there are many other hikes I would like to try when I come back to Yosemite. But this was definitely a great way to start my visit and being my first hike I’ve done in Yosemite! It was a beast!
Made it up in 2hrs 35 minutes, very happy with my time! I’m 44 and I work out 5-6 days a week, mainly strength training. The way up is definitely all glutes, hamstrings and calves. The way down, you would think would be a lot quicker but I took my time as it’s very steep and there’s loose gravel and you can definitely slip. The way down is all quads. Got back to my car at 2:20pm. I saw some people struggling half mile into the hike when I was coming down. I definitely told them to go another day when it’s early morning as it was all sun when they were starting and hot! When I started it was 68-70 degrees, when I finished it was 95 degrees. It was also all shade on the way up and all sun on the way down. Didn’t get to see Yosemite falls as there were none but you do get amazing views. My body wasn’t sore the next day but 2 days later…ouch… after ending up also doing 2 hikes the next day after this one.
What I brought…drank about 2.5 liters of water, I add lemon slices to my water for vitamins, BCAA’s. Apple, clementines, a meal bar, gum, sunscreen, lip moisturizer (helps when you’re thirsty), money as the have a shop you can buy snacks at the top but I was good with what I brought, a hand towel- I put this on my shoulders and held it with my backpack draped on my shoulders, helped out sooo much since it was all sun on the way down.
Happy to say I conquered this one! Would I do it again? Probably not as there are many other hikes I would like to try when I come back to Yosemite. But this was definitely a great way to start my visit and being my first hike I’ve done in Yosemite! It was a beast!
Written 26 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HeatherCox
Fredericktown, MO102 contributions
Aug 2023
This trail could be a challenging monster at times, but it was very rewarding! The views change all the way up and Glacier Point is amazing. I was hoping to hike the Panorama, but with the shuttle not being in service this year, this was my second choice, and it did not disappoint. The way down was more challenging than expected, maybe due to the lack of grip on the bottom of my shoes. The fine granite sand on top of the old, paved trail made it a bit slippery in the steep spots. We arrived early, around 7:30-8 and had no trouble parking right at the trail head. I think our total time with hanging at Glacier Point for a bit was 6 hours. Take as many breaks as you need and enjoy the views.
Written 23 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristian M
Copenhagen, Denmark494 contributions
July 2023 • Family
Along with my 14 year old son I did the walk up and Down again due to the closing of the Glacier point Road.
It was a really impressive experience. Steep since you climb more Than 1000 meters / 3000 feet. It takes around 2 h 15 up and 1 h 45 Down.
The trail has so many beautiful views bur also around 50 switchbacks. When you reach the top it is truly beautiful and with amazing views of the entire Valley.
You Will see Yosemite falls from across the Valley, half dome, Nevada and vernan falls and you Will see the Valley floor.
It was a really impressive experience. Steep since you climb more Than 1000 meters / 3000 feet. It takes around 2 h 15 up and 1 h 45 Down.
The trail has so many beautiful views bur also around 50 switchbacks. When you reach the top it is truly beautiful and with amazing views of the entire Valley.
You Will see Yosemite falls from across the Valley, half dome, Nevada and vernan falls and you Will see the Valley floor.
Written 19 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WillowayGirl
Melrose, MA7 contributions
June 2017 • Couples
None of the reviews online mention the current conditions, so please read this. Yes, the valley views are breathtaking from Four-Mile Trail! However, we do not recommend hiking Four-Mile trail from the top, Glacier Point, to the base. Hiking UP is definitely safer, but this warning is valid in both directions. This review is intended so readers will be safer & more prepared, in either direction.
CURRENT CONDITIONS: This trail appears not to have been maintained in over 20 years. There was a crazy attempt to pave it many years ago. Now, most of its 4.8-mile length consists of stretches of sand interspersed with annoying, cracked, broken chunks of 20-year-old old asphalt covered with gravel and rockfall. A treacherous combination, where slipping & sliding can happen with every step. The numerous switchbacks are not the problem, they are sandy and easily navigable in the downhill direction. It’s the straight sections, where an accidental slip on the unstable surface could result in a deadly fall off the precipice. We completed the entire length downhill, which should have met the expectation of a rating of 1 or 2 difficulty (like Bright Angel Trail at the Grand Canyon) but due to the poor condition of the surface, took us 4+ hours to the base. (not 2 hours, as described)
SUGGESTIONS TO PARK MANAGEMENT: these were sent to the park superintendent. Hopefully the management will be responsive & take action to improve safety and encourage more use of this beautiful trail:
• Each year, some section should be examined, raked, and repaired
• All asphalt chunks should be removed, and filled with earth
• Posted mile markers would be essential for such a long trail (there was only one marker)
• Published descriptions should be updated, more accurately describing this trail
• Signs should be posted at Glacier Point as well as at the base, describing the conditions, such as “Warning: 4.8 miles downhill does not mean it’s easy, due to broken surface”
• Time expectation for downhill hike should be adjusted to 4 hours, in order for hikers to safely make it down in time for last shuttle bus pick-up of the day (Beware: inaccurate signage at the Four-Mile Trail shuttle bus stop. Last pick up is around 5:00pm.)
The park administration has a duty to prevent accidental deaths when simple measures could be taken. If you agree, please send a note to the Superintendent of Yosemite NP.
yose_superintendent@nps.gov.
Four-Mile Trail provided unique views of Yosemite Valley that were unmatched, and will linger in our memories forever. However, due to the unexpected poor trail conditions, we would discourage anyone from taking it entirely DOWNHILL at this time. If you’re planning to hike UPHILL even part of the distance, be very, very cautious, and definitely don’t get lazy on the way back down! Take your time, your life depends on it.
CURRENT CONDITIONS: This trail appears not to have been maintained in over 20 years. There was a crazy attempt to pave it many years ago. Now, most of its 4.8-mile length consists of stretches of sand interspersed with annoying, cracked, broken chunks of 20-year-old old asphalt covered with gravel and rockfall. A treacherous combination, where slipping & sliding can happen with every step. The numerous switchbacks are not the problem, they are sandy and easily navigable in the downhill direction. It’s the straight sections, where an accidental slip on the unstable surface could result in a deadly fall off the precipice. We completed the entire length downhill, which should have met the expectation of a rating of 1 or 2 difficulty (like Bright Angel Trail at the Grand Canyon) but due to the poor condition of the surface, took us 4+ hours to the base. (not 2 hours, as described)
SUGGESTIONS TO PARK MANAGEMENT: these were sent to the park superintendent. Hopefully the management will be responsive & take action to improve safety and encourage more use of this beautiful trail:
• Each year, some section should be examined, raked, and repaired
• All asphalt chunks should be removed, and filled with earth
• Posted mile markers would be essential for such a long trail (there was only one marker)
• Published descriptions should be updated, more accurately describing this trail
• Signs should be posted at Glacier Point as well as at the base, describing the conditions, such as “Warning: 4.8 miles downhill does not mean it’s easy, due to broken surface”
• Time expectation for downhill hike should be adjusted to 4 hours, in order for hikers to safely make it down in time for last shuttle bus pick-up of the day (Beware: inaccurate signage at the Four-Mile Trail shuttle bus stop. Last pick up is around 5:00pm.)
The park administration has a duty to prevent accidental deaths when simple measures could be taken. If you agree, please send a note to the Superintendent of Yosemite NP.
yose_superintendent@nps.gov.
Four-Mile Trail provided unique views of Yosemite Valley that were unmatched, and will linger in our memories forever. However, due to the unexpected poor trail conditions, we would discourage anyone from taking it entirely DOWNHILL at this time. If you’re planning to hike UPHILL even part of the distance, be very, very cautious, and definitely don’t get lazy on the way back down! Take your time, your life depends on it.
Written 23 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pat G
Windsor and Maidenhead, UK237 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
We decided on a long walk and wanted to get away from the crowds and see some other views than those of the picture postcards
Family of 5 with kids 13, 11 and 8. Used to walks of 1 to 2 hours, all reasonably fit but nothing of this scale
Having tried to find out about the route and suitability for families thought I would put a few details that may help others
In summary - an astonishing walk with incredible scenery and a perfect family experience. We were all a little tired and sore in evening but all look back as a highlight of the holiday
Timings
We set off 9.15am at the foot of four mile trail and took 2hr 45 Mins to glacier point. Stopping a few times for photos and water and a snack
Took an hour and a bit for a picnic at glacier point
The panorama trail took about 4 hours 20 mins down to the bus stop including a lot of water stops and some time at the falls.
We walked steadily but not over fast
Conditions and Paths
Conditions were good. 28 Celsius and hadn’t rained for days
The glacier point path is pretty easy on way up. Wide well maintained and easy walking.
The panorama trail is a little less wide and maintained but still ok. It’s mainly sandy
The trail down from Nevada Falls is less well maintained. Often some rocks in the path to be avoided. With sore feet was quite a chore. It gets very well maintained further down at the bottom
Our preparation
We had deliberately chosen not to bring serious hiking gear as we coming from UK and next stop was Hawaii
So we walked in gym gear and gym trainers
Took large day ruck sac with provision.
Note
Take a lot of water. We had 1 per person litres all drank by top of glacier point.good news is can refill there. I would advise at least 2 litres per person for panorama. It is exposed to the sun
Take hats and sun cream
If you want, take a picnic. But food available at glacier point
Views
Just incredible.
El Capitan on way up first part, then yosemite falls, then half dome close up
The view at glacier point is a highlight but jam
Packed with tourists so we took our picnic off to some rocks with a view and ate there
Panorama trail starts with constant and ever evolving view of half dome.
Down to a river where we paddled and rested for a while
Nevada falls is spectacular and if you are brave paddle upstream. Lovely site to rest
Last part of the trail in the woods doesn’t have much view and when tired is a bit of a slog.
The end
We got to the bus stop which had a huge queue.
My daughter and I chose to walk back to hotel (majestic) but rest of family waited...it took them 2 buses to get a space. So factor into your planning
I hope this helps any of you who read it.
Enjoy!!
Family of 5 with kids 13, 11 and 8. Used to walks of 1 to 2 hours, all reasonably fit but nothing of this scale
Having tried to find out about the route and suitability for families thought I would put a few details that may help others
In summary - an astonishing walk with incredible scenery and a perfect family experience. We were all a little tired and sore in evening but all look back as a highlight of the holiday
Timings
We set off 9.15am at the foot of four mile trail and took 2hr 45 Mins to glacier point. Stopping a few times for photos and water and a snack
Took an hour and a bit for a picnic at glacier point
The panorama trail took about 4 hours 20 mins down to the bus stop including a lot of water stops and some time at the falls.
We walked steadily but not over fast
Conditions and Paths
Conditions were good. 28 Celsius and hadn’t rained for days
The glacier point path is pretty easy on way up. Wide well maintained and easy walking.
The panorama trail is a little less wide and maintained but still ok. It’s mainly sandy
The trail down from Nevada Falls is less well maintained. Often some rocks in the path to be avoided. With sore feet was quite a chore. It gets very well maintained further down at the bottom
Our preparation
We had deliberately chosen not to bring serious hiking gear as we coming from UK and next stop was Hawaii
So we walked in gym gear and gym trainers
Took large day ruck sac with provision.
Note
Take a lot of water. We had 1 per person litres all drank by top of glacier point.good news is can refill there. I would advise at least 2 litres per person for panorama. It is exposed to the sun
Take hats and sun cream
If you want, take a picnic. But food available at glacier point
Views
Just incredible.
El Capitan on way up first part, then yosemite falls, then half dome close up
The view at glacier point is a highlight but jam
Packed with tourists so we took our picnic off to some rocks with a view and ate there
Panorama trail starts with constant and ever evolving view of half dome.
Down to a river where we paddled and rested for a while
Nevada falls is spectacular and if you are brave paddle upstream. Lovely site to rest
Last part of the trail in the woods doesn’t have much view and when tired is a bit of a slog.
The end
We got to the bus stop which had a huge queue.
My daughter and I chose to walk back to hotel (majestic) but rest of family waited...it took them 2 buses to get a space. So factor into your planning
I hope this helps any of you who read it.
Enjoy!!
Written 19 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shannon T
Atlanta, GA190 contributions
June 2017 • Family
The 4 mile trail (which is really more like 5 miles each way) was the highlight of our Yosemite trip. We stayed in the Half Dome Village and took the bus as close as we could get to the trailhead. The trail head is pretty easy to find. You begin the hike in the trees, then bust out of the forrest w/ an AMAZING view...then its switchbacks for days. Once you reach Glacier point, there is plenty of snacks and merchandise galore- but the best part is the amazing view! The snacks at the top (read: ice cream) were a great motivator for our kids to keep going.
Technically, you can take your chances and see if one of the busses has room for a drive down rather than hiking back down. With the way that the bus schedule works, this was too much of a gamble for me. It there had been no room (last bus of the day) we would have potentially not made it off the trail by dark. Besides, going back down is a completely different experience! We did see several people who took the morning bus up and then hiked back down. This is certainly an option, but going up is such a cool experience.
Our group included me, my husband, and our 3 kiddos, ages 12, 10, and 5. Yes, our 5 year old was able to do this hike (up and back down) w/ no problem. However, we are avid hikers and had prepared for this in the appalachian mountains, which are not far from our home. Likewise, we live at the base of a mountain north of Atlanta, GA that has 800 feet of almost immediate elevation gain, which we do many times per week.
We brought our camelbak bags w/ us (all 5 of us carried one) full of water and also brought lunch from one of the stores in Half Dome Village. It took us about 3 hours to get up the trail and a little less than 3 hours to get back down. This will stand out for years as one of our best family experiences.
Technically, you can take your chances and see if one of the busses has room for a drive down rather than hiking back down. With the way that the bus schedule works, this was too much of a gamble for me. It there had been no room (last bus of the day) we would have potentially not made it off the trail by dark. Besides, going back down is a completely different experience! We did see several people who took the morning bus up and then hiked back down. This is certainly an option, but going up is such a cool experience.
Our group included me, my husband, and our 3 kiddos, ages 12, 10, and 5. Yes, our 5 year old was able to do this hike (up and back down) w/ no problem. However, we are avid hikers and had prepared for this in the appalachian mountains, which are not far from our home. Likewise, we live at the base of a mountain north of Atlanta, GA that has 800 feet of almost immediate elevation gain, which we do many times per week.
We brought our camelbak bags w/ us (all 5 of us carried one) full of water and also brought lunch from one of the stores in Half Dome Village. It took us about 3 hours to get up the trail and a little less than 3 hours to get back down. This will stand out for years as one of our best family experiences.
Written 11 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
blackeldo
Kiama, Australia2,235 contributions
Aug 2015 • Solo
Stone the crows trendsetters! Reading the reviews down page has made my head hurt. A lot say how tough the 4 MILE is, some the opposite.
I’m a geezer and did the uphill trek a few weeks short of my 70th, and found it a walk in the park. Um….well that’s literally what it was (YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK)…..so let’s say I found it an EASY walk in the park.
Sure, I’m a very fit geezer and I did some extra preparation which I will outline down page, but if I can do it easily I’m sure a lot of you can manage it without too much effort.
Let me say at the outset than compared to a lot of other trails I was on in the same week, the 4 MILE slopes never went above my "MODERATE" rating (above that I have "STEEP", "VERY STEEP", "HEARTBREAKER" and "DON’T SEND FLOWERS"), and the surface was never particularly difficult underfoot.
I ascended the 4 MILE as the first section of a much bigger trek – up to GLACIER POINT, followed by a side walk to/from SENTINEL DOME, and then the PANORAMA TRAIL back to the valley bottom near Curry Village.
This is a loong walk at 16.4miles/26.2km. The whole thing took me over 10 hours Fair bit of climbing/descending too. The valley floor is 4000ft/1120m above sea level. Highest point is at SENTINEL DOME - 8127ft/2477m, meaning lowest to highest is a difference of 4127ft/1258m
GLACIER POINT is pretty high too at 7214ft/2199m. The vertical climb from the valley floor on the 4 MILE is 3200ft/975m. You do this over a distance of 4.7m/7.5km.
0915 - I was lucky to get one of the last parking spots in the roadside area opposite the trailhead, which is on SOUTHSIDE DRIVE, the major route from the park entrance to YOSEMITE VILLAGE. This was on a Saturday morning in the August school holidays. If you miss out on a park here the best bet would be to head on a few km to one of the village's big parking lots and catch the free EL CAPITAN shuttle bus which drops off at the trailhead. There is a bigger picnic parking spot off the main road a short distance before my parking lot, but the one- way SOUTHSIDE-NORTHSIDE DRIVES mean a 20+km trip to get back there. If you are running late maybe check it first on the way in.
I hit the trail at 0947 after a false 0930 start - I left my hiking poles leaning against the front fender - DUH!
The first 5 minutes of the trail are along the valley flat. When the climb begins the slopes are pretty moderate and seldom get steeper the whole way. There is no section I'd class as steep although less fit dudes like my circumferrentialy-enhanced internet friend Kananga, the only man (still alive**) who can hoover a 12inch/300mm coconut-cream pie in under 35 seconds, may disagree.
**might have something to do with his sensational squeeze - the super sensual Siam Soonay who is the CPR champion of central Kranji - as I pointed out on my Grand Canyon report, this scintillating sweetheart has given the kiss of life almost as often as a pash of passion.
The surface of the lower trail and some of the upper-most section is badly broken bitumen - may have been sealed to assist wheelchairs but even when in good condition the slopes would demand an Olympic-class wheelchair athlete or a big super-fit pusher (put that wheelchair away Kananga - Soonay aint a big dude). The broken/discontinuous surface now makes it impossible for wheelchairs. Skaters should shelve any plans of fanging down-hill – sure, they would get some serious air at the end of each section but the “discontinuous” part would make the landings a bummer.
At the same time this surface is not a difficult one to walk - ditto unsealed central areas of the track which are relatively smooth underfoot. Shaded by trees and cliffs over 50% of the way. There were few stairs, mainly single. A moderate number of trekkers heading up, but not crowded. Few descending - may be more later in day.
About a mile up the track the forest clears a bit and you start to get some nice views of the valley.
A bit higher gives a reverse TUNNEL VIEW of the main valley to the west. The classic U shape of the glacier-cut valley comes out well here. The famous El CAPITAN of climbing fame can be seen on the valley’s northern wall.
Higher still on the trail starts many outlooks of the LOWER and UPPER YOSEMITE FALLS. Apparently there are very few other valley outlooks where you can see both falls. There was absolutely no water falling - these falls are normally dry by September but California's prolonged drought saw same in my earlier August visit.
I reached GLACIER POINT at 1231. That's 2 3/4 hours for the 4.7mile/7.5km climb - an average of 1.7mph/3.1kph, faster than my roughly equivalent (steepness and length) Bright Angel Trail route out of the Grand Canyon - maybe because the 4 MILE was at the START of my trek and considerably cooler.
GLACIER POINT was quite crowded - on account of the carpark only 200m away.
There is a cafeteria and gift shop up here. WCs of course plus a spot to refill water bottles - covered by bees when I called by. Not for long.
One of the two viewpoints has a good outlook of the valley floor around CURRY VILLAGE of camping/other accommodation fame.
The other viewpoint with an outlook towards the northern face of the valley was pretty special too. HALF DOME, highest point on the northern wall was mid left, and the spectacular TENAYA CANYON glacier-cut hanging valley to its left. To the right were NEVADA FALLS and VERNAL FALLS, still flowing. I'd be doing the excruciating descent alongside them about 6 hours later.
4 MILE TRAIL SUM UP
I was feeling so good at the top of the trail I continued my uphill waltz to the considerably higher SENTINEL DOME with only a minimal stop at GLACIER POINT (I spent more time there on the way down).
Could a fit person do the 4 Mile without my extra preparation? Easy.
Could a person of normal fitness (which these days is pretty unfit) do it? I think so, but lots of stops would be needed and they might suffer next day.
Could a Kananga do it? No chance. The circumferencially enhanced Kranji Kid needs two breathers on the 6 steps up to his preferred Prue's Parisian Patisserie on the Payoh promenade.
THE REVERSE TRIP - quite a few people ride up via the looong road access and walk down. I reckon even unfit people could manage this (maybe not the grossly unfit). It is not so steep and rough that it is a knee-wrecker so people without serious knee/hip problems should have little difficulty. But cut those toe nails - even ordinary length nails can get miserably sore banging up against the front of shoes on prolonged down-slopes. Even in well-fitting shoes. Don’t ask how I know this.
PREPARATION
As said, I’m a geezer - with dodgy knees from too much jogging back in the day, some arthritic lumps on my feet plus a few gnarly toe nails. Fortunately I’m very fit from daily cycling and swimming. But I’m not a regular trekker and have no experienced of hiking at high altitudes (quite a few websites warn about altitude sickness in higher areas of Yosemite).
So I worked on my trekking with some pretty hard one to four hour walks around my super hilly home town every second day loaded down with about a gallon (4 L) of water and some eats (note I carried only 2L up the 4 MILE on account of it being a cooler day and a much shorter distance to the first water stop than on my Grand Canyon
gallop where I had the full 4L)
I have to tell you, 4L of water is heavy. At the end of 3 weeks I was so fit I could have hosted a posse of pole dancers without a blip in the pulse rate. Well maybe a slight lift. Okay, I’m kidding – call Nurse Betty, the ol’ pump would be banging so hard it would fritz the sensors in my Fitbit.
I invested in a mid-range pair of hiking shoes and some good hiking socks, plus a set of hiking poles. The poles are great on really steep and/or rough trails – I don’t think their assistance outweighed their weight (strewth – read that again!) on the 4 MILE going UP, but people with bad knees/hips may find them a help going down.
Altitude proved no problem, maybe because in the week before Yosemite I had spent a fair bit of time trekking at similar altitudes around the GRAND CANYON and FLAGSTAFF and had hiked past the 10000ft mark on MT WHITNEY ( I didn’t go the full way to the summit because I lacked the necessary permit to go past LONE PINE LAKE).
I’m a geezer and did the uphill trek a few weeks short of my 70th, and found it a walk in the park. Um….well that’s literally what it was (YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK)…..so let’s say I found it an EASY walk in the park.
Sure, I’m a very fit geezer and I did some extra preparation which I will outline down page, but if I can do it easily I’m sure a lot of you can manage it without too much effort.
Let me say at the outset than compared to a lot of other trails I was on in the same week, the 4 MILE slopes never went above my "MODERATE" rating (above that I have "STEEP", "VERY STEEP", "HEARTBREAKER" and "DON’T SEND FLOWERS"), and the surface was never particularly difficult underfoot.
I ascended the 4 MILE as the first section of a much bigger trek – up to GLACIER POINT, followed by a side walk to/from SENTINEL DOME, and then the PANORAMA TRAIL back to the valley bottom near Curry Village.
This is a loong walk at 16.4miles/26.2km. The whole thing took me over 10 hours Fair bit of climbing/descending too. The valley floor is 4000ft/1120m above sea level. Highest point is at SENTINEL DOME - 8127ft/2477m, meaning lowest to highest is a difference of 4127ft/1258m
GLACIER POINT is pretty high too at 7214ft/2199m. The vertical climb from the valley floor on the 4 MILE is 3200ft/975m. You do this over a distance of 4.7m/7.5km.
0915 - I was lucky to get one of the last parking spots in the roadside area opposite the trailhead, which is on SOUTHSIDE DRIVE, the major route from the park entrance to YOSEMITE VILLAGE. This was on a Saturday morning in the August school holidays. If you miss out on a park here the best bet would be to head on a few km to one of the village's big parking lots and catch the free EL CAPITAN shuttle bus which drops off at the trailhead. There is a bigger picnic parking spot off the main road a short distance before my parking lot, but the one- way SOUTHSIDE-NORTHSIDE DRIVES mean a 20+km trip to get back there. If you are running late maybe check it first on the way in.
I hit the trail at 0947 after a false 0930 start - I left my hiking poles leaning against the front fender - DUH!
The first 5 minutes of the trail are along the valley flat. When the climb begins the slopes are pretty moderate and seldom get steeper the whole way. There is no section I'd class as steep although less fit dudes like my circumferrentialy-enhanced internet friend Kananga, the only man (still alive**) who can hoover a 12inch/300mm coconut-cream pie in under 35 seconds, may disagree.
**might have something to do with his sensational squeeze - the super sensual Siam Soonay who is the CPR champion of central Kranji - as I pointed out on my Grand Canyon report, this scintillating sweetheart has given the kiss of life almost as often as a pash of passion.
The surface of the lower trail and some of the upper-most section is badly broken bitumen - may have been sealed to assist wheelchairs but even when in good condition the slopes would demand an Olympic-class wheelchair athlete or a big super-fit pusher (put that wheelchair away Kananga - Soonay aint a big dude). The broken/discontinuous surface now makes it impossible for wheelchairs. Skaters should shelve any plans of fanging down-hill – sure, they would get some serious air at the end of each section but the “discontinuous” part would make the landings a bummer.
At the same time this surface is not a difficult one to walk - ditto unsealed central areas of the track which are relatively smooth underfoot. Shaded by trees and cliffs over 50% of the way. There were few stairs, mainly single. A moderate number of trekkers heading up, but not crowded. Few descending - may be more later in day.
About a mile up the track the forest clears a bit and you start to get some nice views of the valley.
A bit higher gives a reverse TUNNEL VIEW of the main valley to the west. The classic U shape of the glacier-cut valley comes out well here. The famous El CAPITAN of climbing fame can be seen on the valley’s northern wall.
Higher still on the trail starts many outlooks of the LOWER and UPPER YOSEMITE FALLS. Apparently there are very few other valley outlooks where you can see both falls. There was absolutely no water falling - these falls are normally dry by September but California's prolonged drought saw same in my earlier August visit.
I reached GLACIER POINT at 1231. That's 2 3/4 hours for the 4.7mile/7.5km climb - an average of 1.7mph/3.1kph, faster than my roughly equivalent (steepness and length) Bright Angel Trail route out of the Grand Canyon - maybe because the 4 MILE was at the START of my trek and considerably cooler.
GLACIER POINT was quite crowded - on account of the carpark only 200m away.
There is a cafeteria and gift shop up here. WCs of course plus a spot to refill water bottles - covered by bees when I called by. Not for long.
One of the two viewpoints has a good outlook of the valley floor around CURRY VILLAGE of camping/other accommodation fame.
The other viewpoint with an outlook towards the northern face of the valley was pretty special too. HALF DOME, highest point on the northern wall was mid left, and the spectacular TENAYA CANYON glacier-cut hanging valley to its left. To the right were NEVADA FALLS and VERNAL FALLS, still flowing. I'd be doing the excruciating descent alongside them about 6 hours later.
4 MILE TRAIL SUM UP
I was feeling so good at the top of the trail I continued my uphill waltz to the considerably higher SENTINEL DOME with only a minimal stop at GLACIER POINT (I spent more time there on the way down).
Could a fit person do the 4 Mile without my extra preparation? Easy.
Could a person of normal fitness (which these days is pretty unfit) do it? I think so, but lots of stops would be needed and they might suffer next day.
Could a Kananga do it? No chance. The circumferencially enhanced Kranji Kid needs two breathers on the 6 steps up to his preferred Prue's Parisian Patisserie on the Payoh promenade.
THE REVERSE TRIP - quite a few people ride up via the looong road access and walk down. I reckon even unfit people could manage this (maybe not the grossly unfit). It is not so steep and rough that it is a knee-wrecker so people without serious knee/hip problems should have little difficulty. But cut those toe nails - even ordinary length nails can get miserably sore banging up against the front of shoes on prolonged down-slopes. Even in well-fitting shoes. Don’t ask how I know this.
PREPARATION
As said, I’m a geezer - with dodgy knees from too much jogging back in the day, some arthritic lumps on my feet plus a few gnarly toe nails. Fortunately I’m very fit from daily cycling and swimming. But I’m not a regular trekker and have no experienced of hiking at high altitudes (quite a few websites warn about altitude sickness in higher areas of Yosemite).
So I worked on my trekking with some pretty hard one to four hour walks around my super hilly home town every second day loaded down with about a gallon (4 L) of water and some eats (note I carried only 2L up the 4 MILE on account of it being a cooler day and a much shorter distance to the first water stop than on my Grand Canyon
gallop where I had the full 4L)
I have to tell you, 4L of water is heavy. At the end of 3 weeks I was so fit I could have hosted a posse of pole dancers without a blip in the pulse rate. Well maybe a slight lift. Okay, I’m kidding – call Nurse Betty, the ol’ pump would be banging so hard it would fritz the sensors in my Fitbit.
I invested in a mid-range pair of hiking shoes and some good hiking socks, plus a set of hiking poles. The poles are great on really steep and/or rough trails – I don’t think their assistance outweighed their weight (strewth – read that again!) on the 4 MILE going UP, but people with bad knees/hips may find them a help going down.
Altitude proved no problem, maybe because in the week before Yosemite I had spent a fair bit of time trekking at similar altitudes around the GRAND CANYON and FLAGSTAFF and had hiked past the 10000ft mark on MT WHITNEY ( I didn’t go the full way to the summit because I lacked the necessary permit to go past LONE PINE LAKE).
Written 22 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HappyFeet1234
Elk Grove, CA27,618 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
The Four Mile Trail was originally four miles but is now 4.8 miles from the Yosemite Valley floor to Glacier Point due to a rerouting. I wish they would rename it as Almost Five Mile Trail or Wish It Was Four Mile Trail.
I hiked up to Glacier Point from the Valley. Took me about 4 hours. I am in my 50's. It has a constant grade. Ascending 3200 feet over 4.8 miles. Basically a grade of about 8:1 - 1 foot gain for every 8 feet walked. I just felt as if I drove a car up a mountain, put on the second gear at the foot of the mountain, and never got a chance to shift to third gear until near Glacier Point.
I was expecting to find many steps, but was surprised to see very few. It was quite something. I thought I might be catching a break with some leveled areas or some steps (at least, with steps it's easier). No. One long and "seemingly gentle" slope. Mostly a long ramp, and paved or almost paved for a long stretch. If you bring your hiking poles, you probably would rarely use them.
What I do like about this trail: it is quite shady. The mountains and trees block most of the mid-morning sun, making it quite cool to walk on even on a summer day, unlike some trails on granite face with no shade – such as Mount Hoffmann or Hetch Hetchy (feel like walking in a furnace).
The trail is quite wide. Though there isn't any railing on the side, you typically would be walking far from the edge. And there are trees between the trail and the cliff face, if any. There are only a few short stretches that you see sharp drops next to the trail.
You can see the Upper Yosemite Falls (that trail goes up about 2200 feet) across the valley floor at a distance. I constantly used it as a marker to estimate how high up I'd climbed. Oh, I am on top of the lower falls... oh I am in the cascade area... oh I am about as high as the top of the upper falls... and beyond.
Don’t miss the small detour to Union Point (follow the sign). It is a sight-seeing spot about two-thirds of the way up. You can have a panoramic view of the Yosemite Valley.
Walking down would certainly be much easier than up. I reckon that it probably takes only half the time. I myself proceeded on to the Panorama Trail, to Neveda Fall, Vernal Fall, and descended to Happy Isle via the Mist Trail, which took me about 6 hours from Glacier Point back down to Yosemite Valley. If you walk down the Four Mile Trail, it would only take you about 2 hours or so to the Valley floor.
I hiked up to Glacier Point from the Valley. Took me about 4 hours. I am in my 50's. It has a constant grade. Ascending 3200 feet over 4.8 miles. Basically a grade of about 8:1 - 1 foot gain for every 8 feet walked. I just felt as if I drove a car up a mountain, put on the second gear at the foot of the mountain, and never got a chance to shift to third gear until near Glacier Point.
I was expecting to find many steps, but was surprised to see very few. It was quite something. I thought I might be catching a break with some leveled areas or some steps (at least, with steps it's easier). No. One long and "seemingly gentle" slope. Mostly a long ramp, and paved or almost paved for a long stretch. If you bring your hiking poles, you probably would rarely use them.
What I do like about this trail: it is quite shady. The mountains and trees block most of the mid-morning sun, making it quite cool to walk on even on a summer day, unlike some trails on granite face with no shade – such as Mount Hoffmann or Hetch Hetchy (feel like walking in a furnace).
The trail is quite wide. Though there isn't any railing on the side, you typically would be walking far from the edge. And there are trees between the trail and the cliff face, if any. There are only a few short stretches that you see sharp drops next to the trail.
You can see the Upper Yosemite Falls (that trail goes up about 2200 feet) across the valley floor at a distance. I constantly used it as a marker to estimate how high up I'd climbed. Oh, I am on top of the lower falls... oh I am in the cascade area... oh I am about as high as the top of the upper falls... and beyond.
Don’t miss the small detour to Union Point (follow the sign). It is a sight-seeing spot about two-thirds of the way up. You can have a panoramic view of the Yosemite Valley.
Walking down would certainly be much easier than up. I reckon that it probably takes only half the time. I myself proceeded on to the Panorama Trail, to Neveda Fall, Vernal Fall, and descended to Happy Isle via the Mist Trail, which took me about 6 hours from Glacier Point back down to Yosemite Valley. If you walk down the Four Mile Trail, it would only take you about 2 hours or so to the Valley floor.
Written 23 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kloos8
Fleming Island, FL537 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
What a beautiful trail! If you are walking from the shuttle stop no 7, it will take you 5.4 miles to the Glacier Point. Maintained very well; just a steady climb and absolutely beautiful. People with fear of heights can do this with no problem (wide shoulders and no steep drop offs). Took my husband and I 2.5 hrs to complete and we stopped plenty of times for pictures. We started early at 9 am and there was hardly anyone on it. Recommend.
Written 29 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How far it it to the trail head from curry village?
Written 22 June 2022
Hi
Next time you have a question, I recommend using the active destination forum. We reply to questions on the Yosemite forum within a few hours.
It's about 2 miles to walk between the Four Mile Trailhead and Curry Village.
Written 18 July 2022
We are planning to hike down with our two boys who are 10 and 12- they are serious athletes so in good condition but just looking for any guidance from families who have recently hiked with kids this age.
Thanks!
Written 7 August 2019
Just hiked up with my 10 year old son. Hiking down will be fine. Bring water, the right clothing, shoes and snacks and they will be just fine.
Written 26 November 2019
This hike sounds a little too much for my husband and me - we're from Fl and hike every summer in national parks but mostly moderate hikes ( elevation gains between 1500 and 2200 mostly). We're 66 and 73 and just think this would be too difficult. I was wondering if we did a part of it - maybe to Union Point - would we still be able to enjoy great views and would it be more doable just going to that point and back?
Thanks for any feedback.
Karen
Written 16 July 2019
Hi, you might get different answers but I will tell you that for my husband and I, it was strenuous to get to the top (Glacier Point). We are in our late 50s, husband cycles and plays a lot of tennis. I cycle (lots of hills) about 20 miles a trip a couple times a week, go to the gym 3x a week, and we both found it very hard. We had walking poles- they came in handy. We didn’t rest for long enough periods of time to get used to the elevation. Our fault. Husband started cramping really bad about 2/3 up so we had to stop a lot more.
What we should have done is brought Gatorade and perhaps mustard packs, and rested for longer periods of time. Lesson learned. If we hadn’t started chatting with a nice couple at the top, who were kind enough to drive us back down, we would have taken forever to hike back down (plus at that time (late May) the snack shop was closed and the drinking fountains were shut off - no water refills! But we’d do it again! Hope that helps.
Written 16 July 2019
I am planning to do a one way hike down from glacier point to yosemite valley this saturday Oct 13. I booked a 1:30p one way bus to GP. Approximately what time will I finish? Will it be dark? Where is the best parking spot so I don't have to walk so far incase it's dark?
Written 11 October 2018
carolineleeuk
London, United Kingdom
Me and my friend are planning on riding the bus up to Glacier point and hopefully walking down.
we have no special footwear apart from the normal average sports trainer. is this advisable? or should we do the bus ride up and down and find an alternative less strenuous hike?
Written 26 June 2017
My wife and I did this in early June, our only issue was slipping down the gravelly trail. Make sure your treads are good on your sneakers, but normal summer attire would be fine. The panorama trail is considered a more scenic hike down, but its about 9 miles long. If you take the shuttle bus to the top, make sure you take an early one. We took the 10am shuttle, and got dropped off around 11:45. There is a nice snack stand at the top of glacier point you can have lunch at before you hike down.
Written 30 July 2017
I would like to leave the car at Glacier Point and take a shuttle bus down to the bottom, in order to make a single round ho to Glacier Point again. Is it possible?
Written 25 June 2017
Probably. Contact the official vendor for tours and ask. Most folks ride up to Glacier Point and hike down, usually on the Panorama Trail. But that must mean that there are empty seats on that bus going back down to the Valley.
Timing may be the challenge. The earliest bus going up to Glacier Point arrives around 9:45 or 10:00 am. I think it heads back down around 11:30, getting to the Valley at 12:30 pm. Then you'd probably want lunch, would have to get across the Valley (about a mile) and hike up 4.8 mile Four Mile Trail.
The Yosemite NP forum page is a good place to ask about options for your hiking plans.
Written 26 June 2017
In the second week of Sept. 2017, my wife and I would like to do Taft Point, Sentinel Dome, Washburn Overlook, Glacier Point and hike down the Four Mile Trail all in one day. We will have one car.
What may be the most convenient way of making this work?
What are our other options?
We would like to avoid hiking from Sentinel Dome/Taft Point parking lot up to Glacier Point.
Written 5 April 2017
PacificNWFamily,
Thanks for your response.
With further reading we have decided that two days are really necessary to accomplish what we want. We are now planning to take the hikers bus and do the Panorama Trail one day, then drive up another day and do Taft Point, Sentinel Dome, Washburn and just walk down the Four Mile Trail to the start of the switchbacks to get the views then return to Glacier Point.
Cheers from,
JOHN & Ann
Written 11 April 2017
name of shuttle bus to glacier point; cost is $25 pp.... Do you know of this?
Written 13 April 2015
There is only one bus from Yosemite Lodge at the Falls to Glacier Point. You can get information from the National Park Service website.
(I know that this question is old. In the future, I hope that erica h posts her questions on the destination forums where questions are usually answered that day.)
Written 6 February 2016
shuttle bus company name for one way ride to glacier point ;in order to walk down 4mile trail.
Written 13 April 2015
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