help me with my hiking plan... 4 mi, panorama, mist trail.

[annie86x]

I will be going to Yosemite for the first time this summer and will only be there one day (I know, I know... that sucks. But its unfortunately unavoidable.) After doing some research I was hoping to do the Four Mile Trail up to Glacier Point, then the Panorama Trail/Mist Trail back down to the valley (where I will jump on the shuttle bus back to the trailhead for the 4mi trail.) I know its about 14 miles, and pretty difficult apparently. I was wondering just how hard it really is & how long this will take.... me and my friends who I am going with are all young and in pretty good shape. If anyone could give me any guidance that would be awesome

[dan]

I've went up and down the Four Mile Trail (which has been lengthened to about 4.5 miles). If you're in shape, it takes about 2 hours up if you're going strong, 3 at a leisurely pace. I've also hiked down the Panorama Trail then Mist Trail to Happy Isles. That takes most of the day, although it's leisurely and mostly downhill. Great close-up view of rarely-seen Illilouette Falls along the way. There's some uphill after Illilouette Creek up to the shoulder of Mt. Starr King. Then steeply down to join the John Muir Trail (horse trail).

Since you have limited time, I recommend taking a bus that leaves Yosemite Valley in the morning and heads to Glacier Point. Then start there. You want the "Glacier Point Tour" bus. Take the earliest bus, one way (currently $25 1-way for adults):
http://www.yosemitepark.com/Activities_ ... tTour.aspx
Reserve at any Valley hotel or by phone.

Here's short descriptions from the Park Service of suggested Valley hikes, including these:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/valleyhikes.htm

[BrendanSF]

If you are in decent shape, no problem to do the full trip you described, although I'd recommend it in reverse order (do Mist trail > Panorama first) and end with the 4 mile trail. That was you will get to look at the great waterfalls on the way up instead of having your back to them. Also, I prefer steep descents (4 mile trail) to steep ascents.

Here is a map and timeline of when I did it 2 years ago, and I was a 43 year old weekend warrior at the time. What a great day:

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=394024