- Scenic Beauty: 4.5
- Difficulty: 4.0
- Steepness: 4.0
- Technicality: 2.5
- Dog Friendly: No
- Water: Yes – at top
- Location: Yosemite National Park
- Distance: 4.8 miles one way
- Elevation Change: 3,200 feet one way
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This trail was build over a 130 years ago and has a lot of fun history. Presidents have hiked it.
Given the vertical gain per mile it was fantastic training right when I wanted and needed it. Just on my threshold between power hiking and running it offered an excellent challenge to keep running.
We were there in early October and the crowds were pretty minimal but I can imagine going up during peak summer season is a mess. You will encounter A LOT more people who are coming down vs. going up. This is because people mostly take the shuttle to the top of Glacier Point and hike down.
Personally, I loved working the trail in both directions. The climb was great work while the descent was great for downhill speed work. Since it’s a National Park trail, it’s not technical. This lends itself to carrying a lot of speed going down sans the switchbacks.
The scenery is great but like many trails, I work them too hard to fully enjoy the view. I did stop a number of times to take it all in; I had to remember it was Yosemite and views don’t get much better. You get great views of Yosemite Falls and Half Dome from a number of different angles.
At the top, Glacier Point, you can have lunch on the many rocky outcroppings. Bring your lunch or stop in at the store. There are not many hikes with that type of service at the top.
I hiked/ran the trail 3 times and never tired of it. It was such good based training for upcoming Ultras that I kept repeating it.
A must do if you wanna work while in Yosemite.
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