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Glacier Point to Yosemite Valley

Mariposa · Managed by Yosemite National Park (NPS) · Region: Yosemite National Park
Difficulty 11/100 · Easypoint to point#south-rim#waterfalls#point-to-point#beginner-friendly
Distance
11.5 mi
Total gain
1,100 ft
Net gain
1,100 ft
Net loss
1,100 ft
Elevation
4,009–7,064 ft
Days
2
Permit
Required
Campfires
Campfires allowed seasonally

Overview

Glacier Point to the Valley is Yosemite's classic easy traverse: 11.5 miles from the famous overlook down the John Muir Trail past Illilouette Creek and the Merced's waterfalls. One night at Illilouette makes it a gentle two-day backpack.

Highlights

  • Glacier Point's panorama of Half Dome and the high country
  • Illilouette Creek's forested basin for a quiet camp
  • The panorama from Panorama Point on the descent
  • A waterfall finish past Vernal and Nevada Falls

How hard is Glacier Point to Yosemite Valley?

CaliPeaks rates this route 11/100 (Easy). The score weights five factors: climbing counts for 45% — 1,100 ft puts this trip at 9% of the reference climb; distance 20% at 11.5 miles; maximum altitude 15% at 7,064 ft; route technicality 10% (established trail throughout); and trip length 10% at 2 days. A score under 20 suits first-time backpackers; 60+ means serious endurance. See how we score difficulty for the full method.

Logistics

  • Trailhead: Glacier Point (7,064 ft) · parking: Glacier Point parking (road seasonal); finish in Yosemite Valley
  • Water: Illilouette Creek and seasonal streams; the lower trail dries late in the season.
  • Resupply: Glacier Point has a snack stand in season; the Valley has full services.
  • Shuttle: Point-to-point — use Valley shuttles at the finish.
  • Bear canister required.

Permits

  • Agency: Yosemite National Park (NPS)
  • Reserve or apply on nps.gov
  • Quota: Trailhead quota for the Glacier Point entry applies; 60% reservable 24 weeks out, 40% seven days out.
  • Reservation window: Lottery-based advance reservations; remaining quota releases weekly.

Campfires & stove regulations

Campfires allowed seasonally. Campfires are allowed only in existing rings below 9,600 ft; the Illilouette basin camps sit near the line. Check current fire restrictions. Current fire restrictions. Rules change with conditions — always confirm with the managing agency before your trip.

Best time to go

Best months: July, August, September, October.

Snow: Glacier Point Road opens roughly June; the trail is clear through October.

Heat: The Valley descent warms quickly.

Bugs: Minimal.

Weather forecast

Know before you go

  • Point-to-point logistics — plan the Valley exit
  • Water dries up on the lower trail late in summer
  • Bear canisters are required

Sources & citations

Data compiled 2026 from public agency and reference sources. All descriptive text on this page is original; verify current conditions with the managing agency before your trip.

  1. SRTM90 elevation data (sampled). OpenTopoData (SRTM, NASA/USGS-derived open data) via Photon geocoding (OpenStreetMap). https://www.opentopodata.org/. Accessed 2026-09-10. Trailhead and destination elevations sampled at geocoded coordinates; location from OpenStreetMap data (ODbL).
  2. Yosemite Valley Trails — Glacier Point to Yosemite Valley. Yosemite National Park (National Park Service). https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/yosemite-valley-trails.htm. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). 11.5-mile one-way route with 1,100 ft gain, descending the John Muir Trail past Vernal and Nevada Falls.
  3. Wilderness Permits. Yosemite National Park (NPS). https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Permit requirement, quotas, and reservation windows.
  4. Wilderness Regulations. Yosemite National Park (NPS). https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildregs.htm. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Campfire rules and bear canister requirement.