The Panorama Trail is a marked hiking trail in Yosemite National Park that descends along the south wall of Yosemite Valley from Glacier Point , past several major waterfalls, to Happy Isles . The trail derives its name from the panoramic vistas visible along the route, most notably Panorama Point.
9-540: The Panorama Trail trailhead at Glacier Point is located near the Glacier Point Amphitheater at a clearly-marked junction. The trail follows the south wall of Yosemite Valley east to Illilouette Falls . The trail then crosses Illilouette Creek and ascends briefly before continuing down toward Nevada Fall . From Nevada Fall, the trail is concurrent with the Mist Trail as it continues west along
18-446: Is a viewpoint above Yosemite Valley in the U.S. state of California . It is located on the south wall of Yosemite Valley at an elevation of 7,214 feet (2,199 m), 3,200 feet (980 m) above Curry Village . The point offers a superb view of several of Yosemite National Park 's well-known landmarks, including Yosemite Valley, Yosemite Falls , Half Dome , Vernal Fall , Nevada Fall , and Clouds Rest . Between 1872 and 1968, it
27-685: Is closed. Note, however, that the trail can be extremely hazardous when covered with snow or ice, so it is usually closed by the Park Service from December through May. Another 8.2 miles (13.2 km) trail runs from Glacier Point down to the Valley, via the Panorama Trail, past Nevada and Vernal Falls. Hikers may also access trailheads to the Panorama trail and the Pohono trail. In 2020,
36-619: Is usually open from June through October. In winter, Glacier Point Road closes due to snow, and access to Glacier Point from the Badger Pass Ski Area is only by ski or snowshoe . Glacier Point can also be reached via the Four Mile Trail , which ascends the 3,200 feet (980 m) in 4.6 miles (7.4 km). This moderate to strenuous trail can provide access to Glacier Point when the Glacier Point Road
45-667: The Merced River , past Vernal Fall , to its northern trailhead at Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley. Restrooms are available at the Glacier Point trailhead, along the trail above Nevada Fall and Vernal Fall, and at the Vernal Fall footbridge just east of Emerald Pool. A shuttle bus from Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point is available for a fee from June to October, when Glacier Point Road is open. The bus leaves
54-470: The Yosemite Lodge at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and takes a little over an hour to get to Glacier Point. There is no regular shuttle bus service from Glacier Point down to Yosemite Valley. 37°43′36.8″N 119°34′24.2″W / 37.726889°N 119.573389°W / 37.726889; -119.573389 ( Panorama Trail Glacier Point Trailhead ) Glacier Point Glacier Point
63-520: The early 1900s, the road was improved for automobiles, allowing easier access for visitors with a direct, drivable route to the point. The federal government took control of the road in 1917, the same year the Glacier Point Hotel opened. Glacier Point can be reached from the Valley via Glacier Point Road. During the summer, Glacier Point is often crowded with tourists . Tours by bus are also available and take about four hours. The road
72-501: The late 1800s, the first formal trail to Glacier Point was constructed. This steep, rugged path became known as the Four Mile Trail , which was completed in 1872, allowing visitors to hike to the summit for sweeping views of Yosemite Valley. In 1882, the Yosemite Stage and Turnpike Company was granted permission to build a stage road to the summit, offering a less strenuous, though longer, route for horse-drawn vehicles. By
81-562: Was the site of the Yosemite Firefall . The extreme point of the promontory of Glacier Point is wholly bare, but on the slopes below, in the hollow to the west, and on the wooded slope above, glacial material is abundant. Its glacial origin is definitely proved by the presence in it of rocks derived from Little Yosemite Valley and the Sierra Nevada . There are three types of glacially-deposited rock at Glacier Point: In
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