Four Mile and Panorama Loop

This is a 16.7-mile loop from the Four Mile Trailhead on Southside Drive: climb Four Mile Trail to Glacier Point, follow Panorama Trail to the John Muir Trail near Nevada Fall, descend to Happy Isles, then walk a Valley connector back to the start. It links three named routes into one day hike, with a roughly three-mile return across the Valley floor. The mapped version uses the John Muir Trail descent and includes the foot miles back to the car. Allow 9–12 hours; 10½ is a sensible planning point. This is a full day with little room to dawdle.

Four Mile Trail goes 4.8 miles one way to Glacier Point and gains 3,200 feet on a steady, steep grade. The name comes from its old toll-road days; the present route is closer to five miles. Parts of the tread are paved, with loose sand over the surface that can slide underfoot. Ledges and drop-offs sit close to the trail in places, so stay on the path and don't cut switchbacks. Start early: the climb can get hot by midday. There is no drinking water on Four Mile, and Glacier Point's fountain and snack shop are seasonal.

A little over two-thirds of the way up, a short side trip reaches Union Point, an open view over Yosemite Valley. Keep going to Glacier Point for the broad look across Half Dome, Yosemite Falls and the high country. For a photo that says something about the climb, include the trail in the foreground with Half Dome and the waterfalls beyond it. Glacier Point has vault toilets; the shop and water fountain are useful only during their operating season.

Panorama Trail leaves Glacier Point and drops toward Illilouette Creek and Falls. After you cross the creek, the route climbs about 700 feet over roughly 1.5 miles. It feels like a surprise after the long ascent and descent, so save some energy for it. An unsigned side path leads to Panorama Point, where Glacier Point, Royal Arches and Half Dome line up across the Valley. The old lookout lost its guardrails after rockfalls; the main route has been moved away from the edge.

Near Nevada Fall, this route follows the John Muir Trail down to Happy Isles. The longer descent is gentler than the Mist Trail's steep stair sections, and gives a view of Nevada Fall and Liberty Cap. The Mist Trail is another way to finish the Panorama hike, but it changes the route and mileage; the line saved here follows John Muir Trail.

Happy Isles is not the end of this loop. Walk about three more miles on Valley paths and paved bike paths to get back to Four Mile Trailhead. That connector is mostly about closing the loop after the big climb and descent, so count it in your time. Parking at Four Mile is very limited. Valleywide Shuttle stop 11 serves the trailhead, but no free shuttle runs between Glacier Point and Yosemite Valley.

Four Mile was completed as a toll trail in 1872, when it offered a steep way up to Glacier Point. Its name stayed even as the route stretched to 4.8 miles. In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir made a three-day trip that included Sentinel Dome, Glacier Point and Yosemite Valley. Buffalo Soldiers of the Ninth Cavalry had been asked to clear Four Mile Trail for Roosevelt's visit; Muir and Roosevelt used the assignment as a chance to leave the escort behind. The story was reported later that year.