Hi! I am Vickie Mates,
I am a park ranger here in Yosemite National Park
and over the years, I have taken the opportunity
to hike many of the trails that Yosemite has to offer.
Today, what I would like to do is
tell you a little bit more about
some of the moderate hiking opportunities
that exist in Yosemite Valley.
Now while I am telling you about these opportunities
keep in mind that the glacially carved Yosemite Valley
is wide and flat with steep granite walls,
which lends itself nicely to easy hikes
that are on the valley floor or difficult hikes
that travel right up the granite walls.
Modern hikes are a little bit more challenging to find,
but I think I have three recommendations
that you will enjoy.
The first trail that I would like to tell you about
is of the long and flat variety.
The Yosemite Valley Floor Loop trail.
You can begin this trail either at Camp 4 or at the Chapel,
and that it's full length,
the foot path for this trail is about 13 miles long,
however if you are looking for a six-and-a-half mile trail
you can cut across the bridge in El Capitan,
and it makes for a nice two-and-half
to three-and-a-half hour loop.
As you hike along this trail,
you will get wonderful views of the Merced River
of meadows in the valley
as well as icon park formations such as El Capitan,
Half Dome,
and Yosemite Falls.
Even on a busy summer day in the valley,
you can find solitude along this trail as it's
one of the least traveled trails in Yosemite Valley.
Another important thing about this trail is
to check if the visitor center for trail conditions,
depending on the season,
there may be high water or snow,
which makes it difficult
to get across certain areas of the trail.
Another moderate hiking option from the valley
is the mistrail to the Vernal Fall Footbridge.
You can begin this hike at Shuttle Stop #16
at the Happy Isles Nature Center.
This mostly paved trial is short and steep.
It ascends 400 feet in elevation
and round trip is about a mile-and-a-half.
As you are hiking, you will be ascending
alongside the Merced River
and delighted by views
and sounds of the Merced River as cascades downward.
Because of this the mistrail is one of the most popular
hiking trails in Yosemite Valley.
So be prepared for some company along the way.
Once you reach the Vernal Fall Footbridge,
you will be rewarded with a view of Vernal Fall
as the Merced River leaps over 300 feet
of the granite cliff.
If you are feeling more ambitious
and you want to continue past the Vernal Fall Footbridge,
a series of granite steps
will take you up along side the Merced River
and Vernal Fall until you reach the top of the waterfall.
Last but certainly not least is the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail.
It's one of the oldest hiking trails
in the valley dating back to the 1870s.
And it has a longer hiking season
than most of the other trails in the Yosemite Valley
because of its location on the north side of the valley.
It gets more sun exposure even in the shorter days in winter.
The Upper Yosemite Fall Trail makes its way
to the top of Yosemite Falls.
However for a more moderate hike option,
you may choose just to do the first mile
or mile-and-a-half to get to Columbia Rock
and maybe a little beyond.
You can begin this trail at Camp 4.
From there, you will travel a series of switchbacks
up about a mile
and a thousand feet in elevation gain
until you get to Columbia Rock.
Columbia Rock has fantastic views across the valley
and in to the valley where you can see meadow,
forest environment, set in a rock,
as well as a beautiful view of Half Dome.
If you feel up to it at this point,
I would strongly recommend
that you travel three or four more switchbacks
and you will be rewarded with some very welcome flat hiking
and downhill hiking,
until you can see a glorious view of Upper Yosemite Fall
sometimes with a rainbow across the bottom.
For a special treat in winter,
travel up the trail in early morning.
As the sun hits the granite walls alongside
Upper Yosemite Fall,
you will see and hear ice sheets come crashing down
forming the snow cone at the base of Upper Fall.
The Upper Yosemite Falls Trail at Columbia Rock
is the right choice for you
if you are looking for something on a strenuous side
of the moderate hiking category.
The switchbacks are quite challenging,
but the view from Columbia Rock is well-worthy effort.
Hiking in Yosemite is a popular and worthwhile activity.
For your safety make sure you always take plenty of water,
snacks, a good trail map, and extra clothing
in case the weather changes suddenly.
Hope to see you on the trail.