What hikes?

[Reno Frank]

I am returning to Yosemite May 29, 2013 for 4 days. I would like to hike Upper Yosemite Falls, 4 Mile Hike, and Panorama trail. If there is too much snow for 4 Mile and Panorama what else could I hike (day hike) or do? I will be staying in Yosemite West near the Glacier Point road so I don't want to drive 2 hours up to Toulumne Meadows.

[Heybooboo]

That late in May you'll have no problem with snow on the trails. If you do Yosemite Falls make sure you go all the way to the top of Yosemite Point which is another mile or less after you cross the Yosemite Creek bridge.

Same with Four Mile Trail. Probably no snow all the way up to Glacier Point.

For a loooong day you could park at trailhead for Four Mile Trail and go up to Glacier Point then hike down Illouette Creek and Falls (don't miss the view of the falls) over the bridge of Illouette Creek to Panorama Trail then come down the JMT to Happy Isles. Take the tram back to the Lodge and walk back across the meadow to your car.

Have Fun!

[AlmostThere]

In a normal snow year those trails might open by June.

Tioga won't open to traffic until it is cleared, nor will glacier point rd.

You will have to wait and see. The happy isles trails to little yosemite is always open with a winter detour.

[Heybooboo]

In a normal snow year those trails are always open by early to mid-May. I never encountered snow on the trail on these valley trails in mid-May but have seen snow still lingering in the shadows. Yet in heavy snow years these trails could still be closed at the top as the trail reaches the upper reaches of the valley walls.

[AlmostThere]

In some years the trails open in late or mid May. In many years they do not.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tiogaopen.htm

Note the opening dates of the Glacier Point Road. The four mile trail will typically open about the same time. The Yosemite Falls trail may open earlier, since it is more exposed and gets more sun.

More often than not, my hiking group plans hikes on those trails in June to August, because they are not open before June. In addition, the Yosemite Falls trail will often close again in spring, not because of winter conditions but because of rockfalls (the only place falling rock in that area has to go is down the trail). That's rescheduled hikes for us before as well.