Glacier Point Down the Panorama and Mist Trails

Yosemite National Park

Trip Highlights:

Glacier Point

Yosemite Valley

Panorama Trail

Views of Half Dome

Mist Trail

Nevada and Vernal Falls

We begin our Glacier Point hike by taking the shuttle/tour bus from Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point. After viewing the high country from Glacier Point, we descend back to the Yosemite Valley along the Panorama and Mist trails. Awesome viewpoints of the Yosemite Valley throughout! You will pass beside three large waterfalls on this epic return hike to Yosemite Valley. Total mileage is 8.5 miles with a 4,113' feet elevation loss and 941' elevation gain.

NOTE: Your group can also decide to return to the Yosemite Valley via the 4-mile trail (actually 4.8-miles). This shorter and moderate to strenous downhill trek includes some grand views of the Yosemite Valley and Merced River.

NOTICE: We can only run this trip based on the park conscenioarre's bus avilbility and schedule which for 2024 is now only between June 15-August 15, 2024.

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Availability:

May – October

Duration:

8 hours

Mileage & Difficulty:

8.5 Miles

Moderate-Strenuous

Cost:

1-2 People: $660

3-4 People: $860

5+ People: $230-/Person

All Tours Are Private

Departs From:

Yosemite Valley Lodge

Meeting Time:

8 am

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Yosemite 2025 Update: The National Park Service was given the green light for Yosemite to hire all needed seasonal employees for the summer 2025 season. We do expect to be able to run all our programs as planned. Should reservations be required, participation in Lasting Adventures programs, trips, and/or tours includes entry when reservations are needed

Glacier Point Hike to Yosemite Valley – Panorama & Mist Trails

Meeting Location: Yosemite Valley Lodge at 3,973′
High Point: Glacier Point at 7,214′
Elevation Gain & Loss: +941′, -4,113′

Start your full-day tour at Yosemite Lodge, located across from Yosemite Falls, where you’ll meet your guides in the morning. From here, hop on a shuttle bus to Glacier Point and listen to informative narration about Yosemite National Park during the 1-hour ride.

Your hike begins at Glacier Point, where you are treated to iconic views of prominent landmarks such as Half Dome and Cloud’s Rest, as well as three waterfalls: Yosemite Falls, Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. Your guides discuss the historical significance of the viewpoint and other park features while you have plenty of photo opportunities.

Then, follow a guide on foot along mostly downhill terrain that takes you on a scenic 8.5-mile (13.7-km) route with a total 3,179-foot (969-meter) elevation loss; you’ll have breaks to refuel. Your first 1.5-mile (2.4-km) push descends 800 vertical feet (244 meters) in elevation to the top of the 370-foot (113-meter) Illilouette Fall, where you can catch your breath before continuing your hike.

The next 1 to 1.5 miles (1.6 to 2.4 km) takes your small group up a moderately strenuous section of switchbacks that ascend about 300 vertical feet (91 meters). Once the switchbacks are conquered, the trail flattens out for an easy and scenic 1 to 1.5 miles to the next junction — the Panorama Trail.

Running along this eastern point in the valley, the Panorama Trail offers postcard-worthy views that live up to its name. The following mile — a strenuous downhill series of 20 or so switchbacks — drops you 700 feet (213 meters) in elevation to the outflow of Nevada Fall.

After a lunch break atop the 594-foot (181-meter) waterfall, continue with your guides on one of two trails, depending on your group’s preference. A less strenuous 3.5-mile (5.6-km) trek down the John Muir Trail offers higher vantage points with views of Nevada and Vernal falls, as well as of Half Dome’s south face and the abrupt uprising of Liberty Cap. Or, opt for a slightly shorter route of 2.5 miles (4 km) down the granite staircases of the Mist Trail, which runs alongside the scenic Merced River and its 594-foot Nevada Fall and 317-foot (97-meter) Vernal Fall.

Both trails lead to restrooms and running water near the footbridge at the base of Vernal Fall. From here, it’s about a 1-mile downhill hike on a steep, paved trail to Happy Isles, where you catch a shuttle bus back to Yosemite Lodge before you bid farewell to your guides.

Notes:

All tours are private.
Guide(s) carry first aid kits, water purification methods, toilet paper (for emergencies), suntan lotion and bug repellent. Please plan to bring your own lunch, snacks, water bottles, etc.
Should weather, fire, and/or delayed seasonal openings affect the chosen itinerary, a different itinerary will be offered. You will be kept in contact throughout this process.

For a detailed packing list, please see our Day Hike Equipment List. If you have other items you would like to bring, but feel unsure, contact us at staff@lastingadventures.com to help you decide. Your guide will bring a first aid kit, water treatment supplies, toilet paper/trowel, sunscreen, bug spray, and a passion for adventure.
See here for our Frequently Asked Questions, Yosemite Transportation Options, and/or Yosemite Lodging Options.
Should weather, fire, and/or delayed seasonal openings affect the chosen itinerary, a different itinerary will be offered. Lasting Adventures is recognized for its commitment to safety and risk management. In this regard, the summit of peaks will not be attempted when clouds are in close proximity.

Your participation helps sustain our non-profit mission of supporting youth, families, and disadvantaged communities with positive experiences in America’s National Parks and natural spaces.

REQUIRED FORMS

In addition to full payment, the final acceptance of any participant is subject to receipt and review of all the Required Forms. These forms will be signed via a link provided in your confirmation email from our booking agent, under the link for “Digital Waivers” and must be signed by each attending adult. Minors will be included on the same form as their parent/guardian.

We will require an additional medical release for any “Half Dome in a Day” hikers or any guest who is currently under the care of a physician for any ongoing disease, illness, or any other condition/factor that may be a concern on the trip.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

For your protection and ours, we strongly recommend the purchase of Travel Insurance, which can provide you with coverage for trip cancellation/interruption (including COVID-19), travel delay, medical expenses, emergency assistance, airfare, and baggage loss/delay to protect your financial investment. We recommend those with “cancel for any reason” clauses included. See reviews of some of the best Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance Options presented by Forbes or Squaremouth. Other good student options include InsureMyTrip and Allianz Travel Insurance for Students.

Travel Insurance is the easiest and best way to protect yourself and our smaller non-profit organization against last-minute cancellations. We are happy to provide timely and accurate documentation for any insurance claim related to our trips when requested. Please remember that when canceling a reservation, you must first contact the company responsible for ensuring your reservation.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Full payment is required upon registration for day trips.

When registering online, expect to pay a booking fee of 3.0% (which is capped at $30) and a processing fee of 2.7% (no cap). These fees can be avoided when paying by check and are non-refundable. For detailed information, see our Payment Options page.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICIES

Lasting Adventures reserves the right to cancel trips. If a trip is canceled due to circumstances beyond our control, a credit equal to the total amount paid will be issued. Lasting Adventures is not responsible for additional expenses incurred while preparing for the trip.

The following cancellation policy is only for trips booked directly through our official website, lastingadventures.com. If you have booked via a third-party website (such as TripAdvisor/Viator, bookyogaretreats.com, or 57Hours), the below policy does not apply, and you are held to the third-party’s cancellation policy.

Day Hike Cancellation Policy

More than 30 days before the trip date, we will grant a full refund, minus $25/person, and a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions.
With 72 hours’ notice, we will retain 50% of the total trip cost.
Within 72 hours, no refunds or credits will be issued.

Half Dome in a Day Cancellation Policy

More than 90 days before the trip date, we will grant a full refund minus $50/person and a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions.
More than 60 days before the trip date, we will retain 25% of the total trip cost. You may also take a non-refundable credit of the total value paid.
Between 60 and 31 days before the trip date, we will retain 50% of the total trip cost. You may also take a non-refundable credit of the total value paid.
Less than 31 days before the start date, no refunds or credits will be issued.
Any date changes for Half Dome in a Day must occur at least 30-days before the currently scheduled date.

48-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation Policy

Any reservation can be canceled within 48 hours of the initial booking, and we will grant you a full refund minus a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions. After 48 hours, our standard terms and conditions apply. To cancel, please email us at staff@lastingadventures.org or leave a voicemail at 800-513-8651. This policy does not apply if the booked trip occurs within 96 hours of the initial booking.

Fire/Smoke Cancellation Policy

Fire/smoke cancellations are considered circumstances beyond our control. If your chosen travel insurance does not cover fire/smoke cancellations, a credit equal to the total amount paid will be issued. If we cancel during your adventure with us, we will issue a non-refundable credit equal to the dollar amount associated with the number of days not used. In both cases, these credits will be lifetime/transferable but non-refundable.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Departing From a Trip: Once a participant has joined a trip and the trip has begun, no refunds or credits will be issued, regardless of the reason for departure. Costs associated with assisting a participant with evacuating from the wilderness will be passed on to the participant. Travel Insurance is strongly recommended.

Infectious Illness Policy (including COVID): Any participant on any program/trip with any sign/symptom of a potential illness will not be able to participate, and no refund or credits will be given. Many forms of Travel Insurance cover these circumstances. We ask that you screen yourself and/or your child before participating and contact us to cancel if any sign of illness is present. Health screenings can be expected in all youth programs.

Half Dome & Other Summits: Reaching the top of a summit, such as Half Dome, is risky and can be made far worse by inclement weather. While we aim to get everyone to the top, summiting is not guaranteed. Lightning and rain can be deadly on exposed summits, and our experienced guides may have to call off a summit bid if weather conditions are unfavorable. You will not be allowed to summit using a Lasting Adventures permit should the experienced guide decide the conditions are not favorable.

TRIP CHANGE/CREDIT POLICY

Once you book a trip with Lasting Adventures, the value you paid is valid towards switching to another trip in the current or the coming year, pending available spaces on the new trip. Changes to your booking and conversion to credit must occur more than 30 days before your original start date. Changes within 30 days are subject to fees. Once changed to a lifetime/transferrable credit, credits are non-refundable and are a dollar-for-dollar value.

COUPONS

See our Coupon Use Terms and Conditions.

Join Us For A Guided Tour

Availability

May – October

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#1 Rated Guide Service in the West

I did a private one-on-one hike with a guide to Half Dome. This was such an amazing experience! The guide was very knowledgeable regarding Yosemite, and I realized I wouldn't have completed it without the help of the guide. His expertise and calmness during the cables really enabled me to push through and complete this amazing hike!”

We were a group of 7 family members (ages 22-65 years old), for all of us was our first hiking/backpacking/camping experience. We all have such an amazing yet challenging experience, it was really worthy! Thank you so much to our guides Nicole and Jack for your cheers, your spirit, your cooking, your yoga time, your knowledge and for doing this family trip so great! We really enjoy it!!

I booked a guided hike for Clouds Rest as I was unsuccessful in my ballot for Half Dome. My friend was unable to make it so I decided to book a guided hike for myself. From beginning to end, Lasting Adventures was great. They replied to me quickly, and my guide was excellent! He offered me hiking poles in case I hadn't taken any and had plenty other essentials on hand.