Day 2: Hiking to Glacier Point
We woke up early again on Day 2 and packed as much water as we could in our bags. Several of the Gatorade bottles remained unopened, but those we had drank we refilled with water. We carried every single bottle on our person, confident that – today – we would not run out of water or electrolytes.
Maria and I ate breakfast in our motel room and once again hopped on the morning bus. We entered the park at 8:30 AM and caught glimpses of Yosemite Valley’s granite cliffs in the early morning sun. The views of the valley were no less impressive the second time around.
Glacier Point was our objective for Day 2. The famous spot provides an incredible view of Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, and distant mountains. Most visitors drive to the overlook, but – without access to a car – we opted to hike there via the 4-Mile Trail instead. With our expanded supply of water, we were ready to tackle our next hike.
The 4-Mile Trail
We started the hike at 9:30 AM. Like the previous day’s hike to Upper Yosemite Fall, the trail rose steadily above the valley floor. We broke through the tree line before long, catching impressive views of Yosemite Falls and El Capitan. The ascent was pleasant. With plenty of water, blissful shade, and gradually shifting views of the valley, Maria and I were both in excellent spirits.
After three hours, we neared Glacier Point. As we approached, the noise of a busy parking lot replaced the peaceful sounds of the hiking trail. At the trail’s end, we discovered the scores of people who had reached Glacier Point the easy way: by car. Next to the parking lot, we noticed a visitor center, gift shop, restrooms, and water fountains. On the other side of the sea of cars, we could see glimpses of the views that Glacier Point offered. We excitedly hurried to the overlook, passing by the many families and tourists that had driven to the popular spot.
Glacier Point: Yosemite’s Most Famous Vista
There were many views in Yosemite that made our jaws drop during the three days we spent there. None of these views, however, blew us away quite like Glacier Point did. When we reached the overlook, we found a magnificent view of the park. Yosemite Falls, Clouds Rest, Half Dome, Liberty Cap, Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, Tuolumne Meadows, and countless mountains were visible from the viewpoint. The sun bathed Yosemite Valley and its surroundings in a vivid early afternoon light while clouds cast dramatic shadows over the peaks and valleys around us. Not bad. Not bad at all.
Maria and I spent an hour enjoying the views at Glacier Point. During that time, we studied the park’s topography to understand our place in the massive nature preserve. We observed hikers atop Half Dome through a nearby viewfinder. Birds and ground critters scurried around us and the other tourists, eager to find some food. We snapped photos of each other and the surroundings, trying to keep other visitors out of the frame. Most importantly, we enjoyed the spectacular view and each other’s company.
The rest of our day was fairly uneventful. We returned to the 4-Mile Trail after getting our fill of Glacier Point. There, we enjoyed a leisurely downhill trek to the valley floor. Ample tree cover shaded us from the sun, and our overabundance of water kept us hydrated. Once reaching the trailhead – two hours after departing Glacier Point – we took a shuttle to Yosemite Village to buy souvenirs. After that, we rode the bus back to Cedar Lodge, ate dinner, and enjoyed a relaxing evening in our room. It had been a simple day, but one that would take a lifetime to forget.