Glacier Point

Located in Yosemite National Park, Glacier Point gives a birds-eye-view of the park you can't find anywhere else. It can be accessed by both hiking and driving through the park, though the roads may be closed until early to late May due to snow. Glacier Point towers over Yosemite Valley, sitting at 7,214 ft compared to the 4,000 ft valley floor. 

From Glacier Point visitors are able to see the famous Half Dome, Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and the Yosemite High Country. Each season offers a different view and feel for visitors. Come in the winter and you will see a snow covered Half Dome and High Country. Spring comes with the promise of new green leaves and roaring, snowmelt fed waterfalls. The summer still offers plenty of views, though a lot of tourists will be visiting. Fall brings a change of leaves throughout the park, and so it provides a beautiful contrast to the granite cliffs all around. 

The trails to get to Glacier Point are the Four Mile Trail and the Panoramic Trail. The Four Mile Trail starts at the valley floor and like the name says, it is about 4.7 miles one way. Hiking up to Glacier Point has a significant level of elevation gain (Valley Floor is 4,000 ft and Glacier Point is 7,214 ft). The trail offers views of the Yosemite Valley that belong in a postcard. Those who hike to the top can enjoy an ice cream at the general store, while taking in the views. On the way down, hikers will see Yosemite Falls constantly in front of them, while the other sights of the valley floor come into view as the trail descends. 

The Panoramic Trail is an alternative for going down from Glacier Point. Many hikers alternate between taking the Four Mile Trail up and the Panormaic Trail down (or vice versa). While the sights of the Four Mile Trail include many of the valley floor sights, the Panoramic Trail offers views of Illilouette, Nevada, and Vernal Falls. The trail ends at a different point than the Four Mile Trail, but hikers can take one of the free shuttles throughout the park.