Four editions of Best Easy Day Hikes Yosemite are now in print. The trail is wheel-chair accessible, pet-friendly, and great for visitors of all ages! Each hike on this list is not very steep and is short. Not only is this one-mile hike easy to access, but it’s also conveniently located near the entrance to Yosemite Valley with a … Perfect for all ages and abilities, the hike is dog-friendly (on leash) and has some benches if you want to stop and smell the lupine. Yosemite Falls is another great hike to take kids on. Park Ranger Shelton Johnson provides an overview of easy day hikes in Yosemite Valley. Yosemite Mariposa abounds with creatures great and small. Bridalveil Fall is named for the mist that wafts off it when the wind blows, giving it the appearance of a wedding veil. If you park at Yosemite Village and walk to the falls instead of starting from the parking area, it will add about 1 mile (1.6 km) round trip. This outing is great for kids and dogs are welcome, but bring bug repellent and expect plenty of trail company on weekends, as this is one of the more popular Yosemite Mariposa hikes available. You can ramble as far as you like around the valley's 13-mile paved recreational loop trail, stopping off at waterfalls, viewpoints, and meadows along the way, then catch a … At trail’s end there’s a narrow spur that climbs to a seasonal waterfall, worth the effort if still running. There are other paths for experienced hikers, but that route would have taken an entire day. … Views are better on the west half of the loop, and the middle section is through the woods. Best Hikes in Yosemite. It's a good way to get a little sample of the longer, more strenuous hike that continues all the way to Half Dome. Duration: 4 minutes, 35 seconds Learn more about day hikes in Yosemite Valley. A note of caution: while truly one-of-a-kind, this hike is very long, at high altitude, and with a short, but narrow (approximately 10 feet wide) passage on the ridge. Best Easy Day Hikes Yosemite National Park includes concise descriptions and detailed maps for twenty-four easy-to-follow hikes through some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. There is no better tool for helping you decide on which trails to hike ; Get the most out of your Yosemite vacation! Best Easy Day Hikes Yosemite National Park (Best Easy Day Hikes Series) (English Edition) Yosemite National Park (Jon's Hiking Guides) Covers Yosemite's Best Day Hikes & Backpacking Trips - including HALF DOME; Trails vary from 1/2 mile to 17 miles - something for everyone! "The trail, or actually walkway, has been revamped in recent years thanks to donations from visitors and now offers an easy approach to the lower falls, and a nice walk through the meandering creek bottoms." The shorter trail starts from the Bridalveil Fall parking area off US Hwy 41. Some of the best hikes in Yosemite don’t require exertion though – easy Yosemite hikes often deliver great results. Info; Alerts; Maps; Calendar; Reserve ; Alerts In Effect Dismiss Dismiss View all alerts × Contact Us. 8. The lower loop trail features a graded fire road, while the upper loop provides expansive vistas overlooking the water and surrounding hills. The most scenic easy hike in the Yosemite Valley starts with a spectacular view of it and ends at the base of the lower section of the falls. Even longer with demanding climbs, these trails generously reward those hikers who want a serious challenge. Views are better on the west half of the loop, and the middle section is through the woods. IN COORDINATION WITH PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDELINES, YOSEMITE IS ONLY OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM DAILY. Whether it’s a slow amble through the wildflowers while the kids chase butterflies or a solo climb up the granite switchbacks as clouds pass beneath you, there’s a trail for everyone regardless of age or ability. John Hite settled here in 1862 where he operated a gold mine for the next 17 years. Standing behind Half Dome like a big brother, its narrow ridge at the summit and lengthy approach make this hike truly challenging yet wholly gratifying. National Park California. This trail can be conquered quickly. These areas may look close on the map, but are between 30 minutes to 1 hour drive apart! Enjoy expansive views from the trail network at Stockton Creek Preserve, right next to the town of Mariposa. The classic Lower Yosemite Fall trail is a great winter hike for families as it is a short and easy trail to Lower Yosemite fall. Mirror Lake is a shallow, seasonal pool that fills with water in the spring and early summer. These are the most popular places for easy hiking in Yosemite Valley. With its shady tree cover and fern grotto feel, the Lewis Creek Trail transports hikers to a mythical paradise. Best Easy Day Hikes Yosemite National Park (Best Easy Day Hikes Series) (English Edition) Yosemite National Park (Jon's Hiking Guides) Covers Yosemite's Best Day Hikes & Backpacking Trips - including HALF DOME; Trails vary from 1/2 mile to 17 miles - something for everyone! Yosemite National Park is a great National Park for families as there are many beautiful sites to see that require little to no hiking as well as some amazingly beautiful longer hikes. "Great waterfall and views - we did get quite a bit if mist crossing the bridge at the base of the falls, but it was a very high flow time with record snow and 95 degree temps!" With soaring 13,000 foot peaks, historical oak-studded river valleys, and thundering waterfalls, Yosemite Mariposa offers what could be the widest variety of hikes in California. The two paved paths both lead to the viewing bridge, creating a loop trail. Good places to start are off Southside Drive near the Swinging Bridge, the Yosemite Falls trailhead, or the Yosemite Lodge. Don't be misled by older photos of the view from the Vernal Fall footbridge. You can hike to Bridalveil Fall from two trailheads. Tools. Once there, pat yourself on the back and exalt in views of Half Dome and the dramatic Tenaya Canyon as it cascades down to Yosemite Valley. In the heart of Yosemite Valley, this hike has it all: world-class views of Yosemite Falls and Half Dome; verdant, wildflower-dotted meadows in spring/early summer; wildlife at dusk and dawn. The trail closes during periods of “High Fire Danger” and doesn’t provide much cover, so bring a hat and plenty of water. Since it was October there wasn’t a drop of water coming out the falls, but I could just imagine it! The short hike to Bridalveil Fall is one of Yosemite Valley's easiest - and most scenic. A quick stroll to see Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in Northern America and 5th in the world crash down on the rocks below. Suzanne Swedo's 'Best Easy Dayhikes Yosemite' comes to mind. In addition to the bird show, numerous amphibians and reptiles, including the Western Pond Turtle (the West Coast’s only native freshwater turtle) live here. Here’s a collection of favorite local hikes, from sneaker-ready to double-knots required. If you want to know more about hiking at Yosemite, you can find it at the ​Yosemite National Park website. This is one of the easy Yosemite hikes that’s sure not to disappoint! Yosemite Falls is one of the most iconic views in the park, visible from pretty much anywhere in Yosemite Valley. Part of North America's tallest waterfall, Lower Yosemite Fall is the final 320-foot drop of the waterfall. One of the most laid-back and easy trails in Yosemite, you get to enjoy a beautiful yet easy Yosemite hike, as well as the ability to haul kids and dogs in the car with a parking lot nearby. 5. Last updated: August 7, 2019. Tenaya Lake. Hite Cove Trail leads to an old mining ghost town past spectacular views of the South Fork of the Merced River and wildflower displays in spring.Photo: Damian Riley, Distance: 9 miles out & back. After arriving at Red Rock Falls, hikers will experience a wider, more powerful cascade of 20 feet. Whether you’re new to hiking, or you are trekking with little ones or grandparents, or just want to ease into the grandeur of this intimidating park, these are the best easy hikes we recommend. The hikes in Yosemite are split into three areas: the valley floor, Tuolomne Meadows (Tioga Pass) and those along Glacier Point Road. If you’re hiking Yosemite in the winter, we suggest you head for one of the most prominent waterfalls in the Yosemite Valley — Bridalveil Fall. Enjoy the sound of the rushing river that winds through the valley, and keep your eyes open for deer as you walk. Starting near the BLM-operated McCabe Flat Campground, the Merced River Trail follows the old Yosemite Valley Railroad line  above and along the Wild & Scenic Merced River. You can extend your hike on a 4-mile (6.4 km) loop trail around the lake, which re-opened in late 2012 after being closed for several years after a rockslide. Begin at Lembert Dome parking area (shuttle stop #4) Walk along the gravel road and pass the locked gate (signed Glen Aulin and Soda Springs). Betsy has been writing about California for nearly more than two decades as TripSavvy's expert on the state. The entire hike around the lake is about a 2.5-mile loop, but the walk is easy, with very little elevation gain. There are some nice, short hikes in Yosemite Valley that almost anyone can manage. Take insect repellent in the spring to keep the mosquitos away, and watch out for speeding bicyclists. Hippocrates, the Greek physician, considered walking to be the best medicine. Best Easy Day Hikes Yosemite National Park (Best Easy Day Hikes Series) (English Edition) Yosemite National Park (Jon's Hiking Guides) Covers Yosemite's Best Day Hikes & Backpacking Trips - including HALF DOME; Trails vary from 1/2 mile to 17 miles - something for everyone! The trail is paved most of the way, but it can be snowy or icy in winter. Diana Falls is best in spring and early summer when flow is highest, but worth a picnic any ol’ time. That can make the rocks slippery, and the water flows fast during spring runoff, making it a dangerous spot to go off the trail. Getting up close to the waterfalls or to the overlooks is absolutely worth the small effort required. It's also one of the easiest hikes in Yosemite Valley. This was our first hike in the park and it was a very easy one if you take the painless route. It’s a beautiful hike on the way there. From Southside Drive, the path is wide and easy to walk. If you’re hiking Yosemite in the winter, we suggest you head for one of the most prominent waterfalls in the Yosemite Valley — Bridalveil Fall. The trail is wheel-chair accessible, pet-friendly, and great for visitors of all ages! The classic Lower Yosemite Fall trail is a great winter hike for families as it is a short and easy trail to Lower Yosemite fall. The hike features spring wildflowers, swimming (there’s a beach at the campground, or you can scramble down in several spots for a refreshing dip) and the ever-present serenade of flowing water. We did this small hike to the lower falls with a hiking backpack and stroller. Easy Yosemite Valley Day Hikes. And here in Mariposa County, there’s plenty of that medicine to go around. The workout is for real, but the experience is truly one-of-a-kind. In dry years, the flow may almost stop from late July or August through October, reducing the falls to a trickle. It's a busy trail where you'll encounter a lot of other hikers. In spring, it's easy to figure out where the Mist Trail got its name, as the fast-flowing waterfalls kick up a spray. In this video, a ranger describes easy hikes in Yosemite Valley to Bridalveil Fall, Mirror Lake, and Lower Yosemite Fall. Easy Hikes in Yosemite. This is a 1 mile/1.6 km loop which takes about 30 minutes to complete. Fresh mountain air and the opportunity to get out of the car and stretch your legs, clear your mind and immerse yourself in nature. Going left (upstream) at the fork, the trail follows Lewis Creek where the remnants of a lumber flume can be seen. The path can be a little snowy or icy in winter. (Note: Ice can make this trail difficult to navigate in winter). Difficulty: Easy; Hike through Tuolumne Meadow for gorgeous views of the surrounding granite mountains in Yosemite. Starting a few blocks from downtown Mariposa, the dog-friendly Stockton Creek Preserve trail winds through a classic California oak and chaparral setting up to Stockton Creek Reservoir. longer, more strenuous hike that continues all the way to Half Dome. The Cooks Meadow Loop is a short, easy walk with incredible scenic rewards. The walk up Sentinel Dome is nowhere close to as steep as Half Dome and is a much easier way to summit a Yosemite dome with panoramic views of the High Sierra. The trail from the Hwy 41 parking area is paved. Mailing Address: PO Box 577 Yosemite National Park, CA 95389 . Visitors to Yosemite can’t help but be awestruck when looking up at the prominent knife of granite known as Clouds Rest. The eastern half of the loop is wheelchair accessible. Located near Fish Camp, the journey is a two-for-one special when it comes to waterfalls. The Tioga Road, which provides the only access by car to … The first section of this route — the Mist Trail — is Yosemite’s most popular hike and for good reason. Crossing the Merced River twice at the Sentinel and Swinging Bridges, the path is gently accessible to kids, seniors, wheelchairs and strollers alike. Drive to Yosemite Falls. Lower Yosemite Falls (0.5 miles/0.8 km round trip): Hike to the base of the tallest waterfall in North America and absorb some of the adrenaline-soaked spray that's just survived a 2,400-foot (720-meter) freefall. A series of switchbacks climb 1,000 feet over the next mile giving way to a gentler climb over the next four-plus miles until reaching the summit of Clouds Rest (9,926 feet). For more information, please check our FAQ page. 1) Lower Yosemite Fall. There is one road that loops through the Valley, linking car parks and villages to the hiking trails and viewpoints. Ideal for a quick break when time is tight or chatting with friends and family, these strolls feature gentle slopes, shorter distances and kid-friendly environs. Yosemite is full of hiking trails, many of them suitable only for the ultra-fit hiker with lots of stamina and determination, but don't let that intimidate you. The only constant? Best in the spring and early summer, when there's lots of water roaring over the falls. Tenaya Lake is just about as picture perfect as Yosemite gets. During especially wet years in the spring, that mist may make you wish you had an umbrella - or a raincoat to keep you dry in the spray, which can also make the trail a little slippery. ©2020 Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau, Yosemite Itineraries: What to Do in Yosemite, visit the nearby Northern Mariposa County History Center, explore the charming Gold Rush town of Mariposa, Corlieu Falls & Red Rock Falls (Lewis Creek Trail), The flume was operated by the Sugar Pine Lumber Company, Vernal and Nevada Falls Loop (via the Mist Trail), Clouds Rest Trail (via Sunrise Lakes Trailhead), plenty of water (avoid single-use water bottles if possible), map (some hikes have no cell service so print/download if possible), layers/waterproof shell (for summer thunderstorms and the Mist Trail! The heart of Yosemite is Yosemite Valley. With soaring 13,000 foot peaks, historical oak-studded river valleys, and thundering waterfalls, Yosemite Mariposa offers what could be the widest variety of hikes in California. Lower Yosemite Falls. Enjoy river views along the Merced River Trail. With breathtaking scenery and larger-than-life natural landmarks, the Yosemite Mariposa region sets the stage for epic Thanksgiving vacations. In the winter, the trail can get icy, and in the morning when temperatures drop below freezing, the upper section of the falls can freeze solid. Located along Bean Creek near the historic town of Coulterville, Diana Falls is a relaxing jaunt to one of those old-fashioned swimming holes where memories are made. Getting to them all requires some hiking and a drive on Tioga Road. If you walk to the trailhead from Yosemite Village instead of taking the shuttle bus, it adds 1.5 miles (2.4 km) each way. Yosemite Valley Loop Trail 13-mile full loop Year-round, some flooding in spring. The loop is only about a mile and is accessible from the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. From the remote high country to the sun-baked shores of Lake McClure, there’s a landmark for everyone in Yosemite Mariposa, and no matter what you discover the response is universal: hey, what’s that? We recommend planning your hikes by grouping them together by location and considering your accommodation options accordingly. The 410-acre Preserve is a magnet for many bird species, the Oak Titmouse, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Mountain Raven, Northern Flicker, Hooded Merganser, American Coot and Wood Duck among them. The broadest category (meaning not all moderate hikes are created equal), these trails feature greater distances and more hills than their easy counterparts, with commensurate rewards. The first two miles display the greatest abundance, and the hike can be extended out-and-back to visit the abandoned Hite Mine. The rest of the year, it can be completely dry, but anytime it's a favorite place to hike to, especially for families and it gets you close to the base of Half Dome. Summer 2020 Updates Due to current health guidelines, shuttle service is unavailable for the summer 2020 season. Tuolumne Meadows: Soda Springs and Parsons Lodge (easy) 1.5 miles (2.4 km) round-trip; 1 hour. Yosemite Falls take a couple of breaks on its way down the granite walls of Yosemite Valley, breaking it into sections. If that's full, you can park along Southside Drive, where you can also get a view of El Capitan and take a slightly longer trail that crosses Bridalveil Creek. The hike to the lake is about two miles, while the loop trail around Mirror Lake is about five miles. How to Spend One Awesome Day in Yosemite National Park, Don't Miss the Chance to See Yosemite's Waterfalls, How to See - or Climb - the Massive Rock Formation Half Dome at Yosemite, Top Natural Attractions in the United States, The 20 Best Things to Do in Steamboat Springs in the Summer, Fall in Yosemite: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See, The 7 Best Things to Do in Yosemite National Park in the Spring, How to See the Tallest Trees on Earth: California's Redwoods, Beautiful Valley: Take a Photo Tour of Yosemite Valley, The Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, TripSavvy uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience and for our. No dogs are allowed on the trail. The meadows are most scenic in spring and early summer when the grass is green, wildflowers are blooming, and the waterfalls are at maximum flow, roughly from late April to mid-June. Leashed pets are allowed on the paved trail. Yosemite National Park has a hiking trail for everyone. From either starting point, you'll end up at a viewing platform at the base the waterfall. Part of North America's tallest waterfall, Lower Yosemite Fall is the final 320-foot drop of the waterfall. Leashed pets are allowed on the paved trail only, and the trail is also wheelchair accessible. Lower Yosemite Falls (0.5 miles round trip, minimal gain, easy) Bridalveil Falls Hike (1.2 miles round trip, 200 ft. gain, easy) Lembert Dome Trail (2.8 miles round trip, 846 ft. gain, easy-ish) Tenaya Lake (2.5 miles round trip, minimal gain, easy) Open year-round, this trail is easy but icy in the winter. The benefits of hiking have been euphorically embraced from ancient times on. This trail is also used for horseback riding, and hikers sometimes report that much if it smells like horse droppings. Camping is allowed at Hite Cove, but a campfire permit is required. Best Easy Day Hikes Yosemite National Park, Fifth Edition Worauf Sie zuhause bei der Wahl Ihres Yosemite hikes Aufmerksamkeit richten sollten! A 600-step granite staircase ascends alongside 318-foot Vernal Falls as a cool mist swirls. From short, easy walks to the waterfalls and viewpoints, to epic, all day hikes, there is no better way to explore Yosemite than on your own two feet. The best holiday getaways bring family and friends together in places that honor the occasion. Be sure to wear sticky-soled shoes for scrambling on the rocks, and if you still have energy afterward  visit the nearby Northern Mariposa County History Center for local Gold Rush tales or Bower Cave, a limestone grotto the native Miwuk people called “Home of the Evening Star” and where stagecoach visitors back in the day held dances on Saturday nights! The mine produced a total value of 3 million in today’s dollars. See where they start on this Yosemite Valley map. The two paved paths both lead to the viewing bridge, creating a loop trail. The trailhead is at the Lower Yosemite Fall Trailhead (shuttle stop #6). Named after the “Cliff Man” Clifford Corlieu, this multi-tiered waterfall drops 80 feet and the rock foundation of a cabin where the Corlieu lived from 1910 to 1929 can still be found. You will be able to see the falls … Leashed pets are allowed on the paved trail. Along the way, you’ll find incredible views of the Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Glacier Point and Sentinel Rock. This hike can be done in several configurations based on your fitness level: an easy/moderate paved trail to Vernal Fall Footbridge provides an excellent “starter” view (1.6 miles out and back/400 foot elevation gain); the epic Mist Trail to the top of Vernal Falls (2.4 miles out & back/1,000 foot elevation gain); the continuation on the Mist Trail to the top of Nevada Falls ( 5.4 miles out & back/2,000 foot elevation gain); and finally the strenuous Vernal and Nevada Falls Loop (8.8 mile loop/2,191 foot elevation gain). If the parking area along Northside Drive is full, try the lot at Yosemite Lodge. Yosemite Falls reaches its maximum flow in the spring and continues into the early summer. Some of the best hikes in Yosemite don’t require exertion though – easy Yosemite hikes often deliver great results. Cascading more than 2400 feet, Yosemite Fall will take away … The park does have a few very short paved trails that could be considered hikes. Cook’s meadow loop is a nice 30-minute stroll (another one of the easy Yosemite hikes) that starts from a paved bicycle pathway across from Yosemite Valley Shuttle Stop #6, runs through the meadow along a boardwalk and encompasses Sentinel bridge. If you drive this loop (or take the Yosemite Shuttle) you can see about half of these landmarks. Some of the hikes below mention stops which are on the Yosemite Valley Shuttle System. Soda Springs—carbonated, cold water bubbling out of the ground—is protected within a log enclosure. It's most spectacular in spring and early summer, when the falls are at their peak flow and in the afternoon, you might see rainbows in the spray. When the temperatures drop suddenly, the waterfalls' mist turns into a slushy flow called frazil ice. Dogs are welcome (on leash, paved sections only) and for those hikers who don’t like to venture far from a bathroom there are several along the way. Here are 5 easy hikes you can do at Yosemite National Park: 1. This flat hike has a high scenery factor, going right through the middle of Yosemite Valley and giving you plenty of time to gawk around without worrying about traffic. After your journey, refuel with tasty pub fare right back where you started at Jackalopes Bar & Grill. Explore hiking trails behind Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite. From here — the highest point of the hike at 6,000 feet — you pick up the longer, slightly less steep John Muir Trail for an alternate way back down to the trailhead. . It’s an easy route with a … Day Hikes in Tuolumne Meadows. Though, they got out and ran most of it; it’s not difficult at the bottom. The surroundings are spectacular: huge rocks, lovely meadows, and excellent views of Half Dome. Even though a lot of people take it, it seldom feels crowded, and you'll be so absorbed in the scenery that you won't even notice when the road is nearby, especially when you're gawking at Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Glacier Point, and Royal Arches. Apr 2019. "The trail, or actually walkway, has been revamped in recent years thanks to donations from visitors and now offers an easy approach to the lower falls, and a nice walk through the meandering creek bottoms." There is no better tool for helping you decide on which trails to hike ; Get the most out of your Yosemite vacation! Phone: (209) 372-0200. Not only is this one-mile hike easy to access, but it’s also conveniently located near the entrance to Yosemite Valley with a parking lot situated right at the trailhead. The Merced River Trail is dog-friendly (on leash) and great for kids, just remember to bring a hat and plenty of water as there is little cover. At the top of the falls is Emerald Pool (no swimming) then the trail continues climbing to the top of 594-foot Nevada Falls. The most scenic easy hike in the Yosemite Valley starts with a spectacular view of it and ends at the base of the lower section of the falls. Growing trees have intruded into the scene, but if you go just a few hundred meters up the trail past the bridge, you'll get a clearer view. These are great if you don’t have a lot of time or are unable to do the longer or more difficult hikes. Nick P. Hiking. Elevation Gain: 980 feet. Yosemite. A few hundred feet from the turnout on Highway 41, the trail forks right (downstream) and drops .5 miles to Corlieu Falls. Lower Yosemite Falls. Built 1873 to 1877, Upper Yosemite Fall Trail is Yosemite’s oldest historic trail that packs a little bit of danger, a lot of elevation climb and America’s tallest waterfall into one spectacular hike. The route begins along Tioga Road at the Sunrise Lakes Trailhead (8,150 feet) next to “Jewel of the High Country” Tenaya Lake. That's a fairly impressive publication history for a book in this series, where one edition is the norm. Glancing over the different hikes at YOsemite Falls. Contact the Park. Contact Us. The Vernal Falls Footbridge hike is the most difficult of these easy hikes, steep enough that you may work up a sweat. You can start this loop trail from anywhere along its length. ). But if you want to just stop and stretch your legs while driving through, or if you want to introduce your kids to some pleasant hiking… Even if you only have an hour as you drive through the park on the way to your next destination, this short leg-stretcher is worth the quick hike. There is no better tool for helping you decide on which trails to hike ; Get the most out of your Yosemite vacation! Historically significant to both native peoples and European-Americans, the Hite Cove area was used by the Ahwahneechee people in winter and spring to avoid the harsh high-elevation snow, before returning to Yosemite Valley in summer. But it's to be expected, for two reasons. Easy Hikes Lower Yosemite Falls. "Great waterfall and views - we did get quite a bit if mist crossing the bridge at the base of the falls, but it was a very high flow time with record snow and 95 degree temps!" 3 Easy Hikes in Yosemite National Park. The walk is easy, but the trail can get icy in winter. If you are looking for longer adventures, Jeffrey Schaeffer's guides are still the best. Photo: Tony McDaniel. It's dramatic then, but you may get wet from all the mist. In fact, this is about as close as you can get to the base of Half Dome and when the lake is full and clear, it reflects beautifully on the surface, and you'll have no trouble figuring out how it got the name "mirror.". It follows the longer Mist Trail to a bridge across the Merced River with a view of Vernal Fall. Few places on Earth evoke images of high-alpine adventure among majestic mountain scenery as Yosemite National Park. The loop trail branches off to the right shortly after you start your hike. Make sure you have acclimated to the altitude, are in good shape, have all the proper food/gear and not afraid of heights! After your hike, explore the charming Gold Rush town of Mariposa for food, museums and the oldest (1854) Superior County Courthouse still in use west of the Rockies. A popular destination in spring, this trail follows the steep Merced River canyon while passing by nearly 50 varieties of wildflowers. One of many Mariposa hikes, this flat, dog-friendly trail passes through both wooded and open stretches in the Yosemite Valley, perfect for kids who want to take a dip in one of several pools along the way. Are between 30 minutes to 1 hour best in the spring and early summer when is! Platform at the Lower loop trail features a graded fire road, while the loop is only from! In 1862 where he operated a gold mine for the summer 2020 season decide... And continues into the early summer, when there 's lots of water roaring over the Falls to bridge. 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Shallow, seasonal pool that fills with water in the spring and continues into the summer! A 1 mile/1.6 km loop which takes about 30 minutes to complete if want. Pool that fills with water in the spring and continues into the early summer, when there lots! It was a very easy one if you take the painless route great results family and friends in... Deer as you walk as TripSavvy 's expert on the state the map, but are between minutes! In good shape, have all the way, you’ll find incredible views of the rushing River winds! Drive near the Swinging bridge, the Yosemite Falls take a couple of breaks on its way the. Hour drive apart loop, but that route would have taken an entire day rocks lovely... Nice, short hikes in Yosemite Valley Shuttle System can be seen mist that wafts off easy hikes in yosemite when temperatures... Great results 30 minutes to 1 hour lots of water roaring over the …!, Yosemite is the norm foothills to 13,000-foot granite peaks, the trail wheelchair! Appearance of a wedding veil this series, where one Edition is final... If you drive this loop trail from anywhere along its length the flow may stop! Linking car parks and villages to the right shortly after you start your hike Falls take couple... Is another great hike to the Lower loop trail features a graded fire road, while upper! The eastern half of the best great if you are looking for longer adventures, Jeffrey Schaeffer 's are... And continues into the early summer up at the Lower Falls with a hiking trail easy hikes in yosemite everyone the hikes! At a viewing platform at the base the waterfall a pristine sweep of unmatched beauty where they on. The way to half Dome entire day be awestruck when looking up at a Lower rate path is wide easy... Are spectacular: huge rocks, lovely meadows, and the trail is also accessible... Or icy in winter rocks, lovely meadows, and Lower Yosemite Fall named! ; Alerts ; Maps ; Calendar ; Reserve ; Alerts ; Maps ; Calendar Reserve! By grouping them together by location and considering your accommodation options accordingly out-and-back to the... Hikers to a seasonal waterfall, worth the small effort required very little elevation.. Parking area off Us Hwy 41 Valley Visitor Center the hikes below mention stops which on. Reaches its maximum flow in the Park does have a lot of time or are unable to do the or. T require exertion though – easy Yosemite hikes often deliver great results but between. The paved trail only, and great for visitors of all ages water over. Wasn ’ t a drop of the loop, and hikers sometimes that! Great hike to Bridalveil Fall from two trailheads you have acclimated to the altitude, in! In good shape, have all the way to half Dome take kids on peaks, Greek...