Panorama Trail in Yosemite: Hiking from Glacier Point Past 3 Waterfalls to Yosemite Valley

The Panorama Trail in Yosemite National Park is one of the premier trails in the national park. The trail is usually hiked one way (9 miles one way), with a shuttle being used to bring you from the valley to Glacier Point. From there you can hike mostly downhill all the way back to the valley. Along the way you get some of the best views of Half Dome and get to go past three waterfalls as you make your way down the Mist Trail.
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[@NickandRachel]

Don't see how anybody could dislike your videos! Gorgeous views!

[@amyfoster1595]

I've done this hike in both directions and actually prefer going up the Panorama Trail, then down the Four Mile Trail. Fewer people and an extra waterfall when Yosemite is flowing. Thanks for another great video!

[@KiddAmnesiac]

I also prefer going up. Ending at Glacier Point is spectacular and my knees/IT bands dont like hiking downhill - especially on the Mist Trail. I left my car at Glacier Point in the morning, caught the shuttle bus down to the valley and hiked up to my vehicle. Maybe my favorite hike ever.

[@dancinggiraffe6058]

I walked this trail with my mother and brother in about 1963, I think. I loved it, although my mother kept asking us to slow down. The view from Panorama Point is exceptional. Thanks for the memories!

[@sandinoyes3882]

Have hiked Yosemite many many times...Half Dome twice....But never this trail. What fun! Love your videos. Great job.

[@mvyang]

Did this hike many years ago in the spring. Overcast day and the flowers were out on the hike. Spectacular view. Start early is best. The hike will last all day. It’s worth it. Views of the John Muir’s trail is interesting. One thing about the Mist trail is it is wet and can be dangerous due to the steepness. Be careful out there.

[@jameswebb9738]

I did that during a full moon with 5 co workers. We started at dusk and it was an incredible experience. Unfortunately I had to be to work at 8am the next morning and I was pretty spent. It was when I lived and worked there for 6 years from 03-09.

[@catwoman8861]

The internet is horrible in so many ways but the opportunity to see places across the other side of the world I would never otherwise get to experience, is reason enough alone to redeem it. Thank you from the UK 🇬🇧

[@heliscat]

You should take the 4 mile trail up to Glacier Point, then go down the Panorama trail, down Nevada Falls. Do it! Do IT! Always appreciate your videos man.

[@ThatGuy-bp4gz]

Thank you so much! I'm an Aussie and absolutely fell in love with Yosemite a few years back when I visited. My wive and I had been planning to get back this year however a little thing called COVID19 happened. Discovering your videos has helped me hold on to the dream until I get physically get back there!

[@jorel4477]

Wow. Incredible footage. Thanks for sharing.

[@Lancelotolink]

Good job, thanks for taking us along!!

[@californiathroughmylens]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dad102]

I loved this. You have a cool mom.

[@anitawarburton6087]

When we were in Yosemite we made it up as far as the Vernal Falls Bridge. We are from 200 feet above sea level and in our 50's, so no surprise. I drank a ton of water on the way up because I knew we could refill. That mountain water was delicious!

[@californiathroughmylens]

It's a steep hike for sure just getting to the bridge! I agree the water is awesome!

[@loles1356]

This video is fabulous!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I watched spellbound all these breathtaking views in Yosemite 🌲🌳🌲🌳Thank you so much for sharing all this beauty with us, Josh!!

[@sanimishra7535]

I planned my California trip based on your videos and it turned out to be pretty good. Going to Yosemite tomorrow. Hope the smoke conditions aren't bad

[@Backcountryhiker]

I did this exact hike years ago and it is outstanding. Not "downhill" all the way but hey, most of it is and the views are spectacular!

[@russblakey]

What a great video, cheers Josh, this is now definitely on my list to do, Panorama View, just blew me away! Simply stunning mate. Russ from the UK 🇬🇧

[@californiathroughmylens]

Thanks for watching it! I hope you can hike this trail in the future for sure!

[@dsmom6898]

Absolute beauty! 😍 You always travel to the best places! Thank you!

[@californiathroughmylens]

Thank you very much!

[@zacharybilby5374]

That's a Beautiful Sight !, i went to Yosemite In 2015, it was cool, i hiked up to the top of half Dome

[@californiathroughmylens]

That's an amazing and tough hike!

[@CampTravelExplore]

Such a great episode Josh! Im sharing it to the Facebook group! I cant wait to get to Yosemite and do this trail!! Excellent work as always!!

[@DJJoshMcClintock]

I love this hike in the spring when the waterfalls are full. And if you are fit... might wanna skip the shuttle and hike up the 4 Mile Trail and then do this one. Best hike in the park!!

[@ianmandel352]

Best Panorama Trail Vid on KZbin super informative ..but then again im not surprised , its CTML !! great job Josh

[@OutdoorsWithJohnUSA]

Thanks Josh that is one hike I'd love to do on my next trip to Yosemite.

[@cristiansoutside]

You’re videos are so awesome!! Thanks for all the work you put into them, everything we dont see. Keep it up!

[@californiathroughmylens]

I appreciate that! Glad you like them!

[@AlbertAguilera22]

We were there in June of 2020 and practically had the park to ourselves, it was incredible how empty the park and valley was!

[@yankeebiscuitfan]

Wow. Just wow.

[@roliepoliecolie2200]

Miss those hikes. Thanks for sharing.

[@felix_2037]

Stay safe out there coz you're always outdoors and passes people when exploring! ✌

[@californiathroughmylens]

Thanks! I always have my buff to use as a mask while hiking when passing people

[@AshmewStudios]

Just a heads up that the thing around your neck may not be the best mask. I’d recommend a cloth mask or surgical mask. Stay safe.

[@carldaniel6510]

This is a great trail. It's also a viable alternative for hiking to Half Dome. It's longer than coming up from happy isles, but significantly less vertical climb, so it's worth considering. Very few people on this trail, as you can see.

[@markyuen2312]

Considering that I have bad knees, I'm glad that you these Travel Vlogs. Otherwise, I would never get to see the beautiful sites (National Parks) of California. I feel like I'm there myself. I thank you. By the way, your Father couldn't make the trip this time? Glad to see your Mother, though.

[@margaretcontreras2932]

I love this hike we hike up the four mile trail and come down the panoramic or do the four and hike back the four or do the up and down the panoramic. It’s an awesome hike❤️

[@tugboatgirl1296]

Love ALL your videos... Nice that your dad is able to travel with you..miss Amy though.... Will she be traveling with you again, soon??

[@scottscriticalmass]

Excellent video Josh... Yosemite never get old. Planning a trip for mid-Spring 2021. Thanks for sharing your hike down from Glacier Point.

[@laker4life36]

Classic Golden State!

[@minkim5899]

I was there in July to do Half Dome & did the same thing as you. It was hot as heck & I took refuge under the bridge. Great minds think alike :)

[@californiathroughmylens]

haha thats awesome! Props on completing the Half Dome Trail too!

[@johneason6540]

Hi Josh You really produce some great content in your videos. And yes I watched the earlier ones this year in yosemite. But this trail im adding to my hike list. Hope to get to yosemite in November 2020 Thanks 😊

[@roterstern1301]

Thanks for this video. I walked this trail 14 years ago. I wish cameras and mobilephones had the same Resolution like Today’s. But luckily you uploaded this nice video :)

[@MrRMB1]

Great job!! Putting this one on the bucket list!

[@F1lmtwit]

I did that hike a few years ago, but with the myst trail so I could see the views better. The Myst trail was hell on my knees and at the bottom the mosquitos ate me alive as waited for the shuttle back to my car.

[@dgreensotr]

Thanks for the tips on the Illiloute and Panorama overlooks. I've hiked the 4-Mile-Panorama-JMT loop many times but never knew about them. Hope to get up there in 2021 and will look for them.

[@californiathroughmylens]

No problem! I hope to do 4 mile trail on of these days!

[@violetbf3773]

Happy Sunday!! You never disappoint Josh. Amazingly video as always. Nice to see your mom’s video series now 😁

[@californiathroughmylens]

Yay! Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it and appreciate the comment!

[@blakerh]

Beautiful hike! I really want to go to Yosemite asap!

[@rhyschiu]

Do you like that direction better? I haven't hike to glacier point, but always take the most trail going up. I feel the view of vernal falls going up ia awesome while going down there your back is against the falls plus the stairs going down feels harder and more dangerous

[@californiathroughmylens]

Yea, it is more fun to go up and see the waterfalls in front of you if you are just doing the Mist Trail, but this one is nice since it is basically all downhill, which makes it fun

[@rhyschiu]

@@californiathroughmylens is it because the uphill from nevada falls going to glacier point hard going up that it is better to do it going down? (I have not done that part yet)

[@elsajohnson6663]

Love this guy and his videos!

[@toomanyjstoomanyrs1705]

Was there mid August 2020, had to take the John Muir Trial and it seems that it will never end.

[@nevadahiker6661]

Yay! A long form video! And of a Yosemite hike I haven't done yet!!! (well, I've done the Mist Trail portion)

[@californiathroughmylens]

I figured you would appreciate the 17 minute video at least!

[@takeahike1247]

Beautiful!

[@LV-72]

Love watching your videos!

[@dansakimoto2523]

Another great video, Josh! The Panorama Trail is probably my favorite hike in Yosemite, although it was definitely more challenging than I thought it would be. The views were absolutely worth it!

[@beach4me2007]

I love Nevada Falls! Best falls in Yosemite.

[@nwpv7170]

Incredible! Thank you. Zu

[@Ranger_Omar]

I’ve done part of the John Muir trail from Camp Curry all the way to Nevada Fall. I wasn’t able to go further due to the rest of the trail closed due to snow.

[@ninjaboy2000]

Thank you so much !! ..... Great, simple information ... was planning to do this hike in about three weeks, without the shuttle driver though.... as I plan to hike back up to Glacier point the same day using the 4mile trail (hope my feet can take it).. .. Thanks again!

[@brindahoward4527]

Another great video. Thanks for sharing

[@tortisetown4539]

Best channel on KZbin!!!!!💯

[@bachelor99]

Awesome video Josh! Love the CA content! i was wondering when you were going to do this hike! after all my years of hiking, this trail is still my favorite (also my first hike ever) trail! i took the shuttle up to glacier point and went down the mist trail and ended at happy aisles. i would love to do this hike again some day but probably come down the JMT as u say much easier on the knees! :)

[@MsRLWalker]

We just did Vernal and Nevada Falls. Took the JMT down , my knees thanked me and I actually thought the views were beautiful, I really enjoyed it and will do it every time we do the falls for the shade, knee saving and less crowds. Today as of 9/1/21 you had the option to go back down Mist trail or JMT. We also tried Gus’s jerky in your recommendation and it’s tasty!

[@kellyjohnson3617]

Thanks for posting this. I’ve been thinking of doing the panorama trail for awhile. I understand how the narrow part of the mist trail being closed. I think what I’d do it do that one day, then do the mist trail on another day to catch the better view of vernal falls. But I’d probably rather do the mist trail in the spring anyway. Now I know more what to expect. Thanks

[@californiathroughmylens]

Yea, I wish I would have planned in advance as I would have waited till it opened to go down, which was around 4 PM (the sign said). It was too long a wait for me to do when I was there on this trip though

[@blakem.92]

You should do 4 mile trial. Good views of the valley all throughout.

[@californiathroughmylens]

It is one my list. Hopefully I can do it in the future!

[@2Lisie]

I did this trail about thirty years ago. We forgot to carry water... Bad idea. Please remember to bring enough water for yourself and your fellow walkers if you should decide to hike down to the valley. Gorgeous walk, and a fun outing!

[@Rockape9591]

Yeah, I did the same with a small group way back in 1991 (hiked down from Galcier Point), not nearly enough water with us (glucose tablets helped), and we were told not to drink straight from the river, because of a bug called Giardia Lamblia in the water that would make you pretty sick (is that still the case I wonder?). Also the John Muir trail switchbacks killed my knees (ended up helping a girl down with a bad knee), a tough hike if you are not a seasoned hiker and not well prepared.

[@steelswarfs]

As with all your videos, great editing!

[@vochaalloy33]

Well done sir.

[@MrMrsMemories]

Love the video, need to visit there again!

[@timteague9702]

Great video.... 👍

[@TomNavesink]

A great trail, but entirely different after the fire that swept through in the 80s. The upper part by Illilouette falls used to be set in a deep forest. The last time I hiked it around 2000, it was just recovering with wildflowers and scrub trees.

[@travisclymer2517]

He said “ill-ill-illoutte falls” lol great vid dude! Doing this hike next week for my 40th bday!

[@AngelaSMak]

I just left Oakhurst, I booked hotel in Oakhurst town, and I didn’t know we can’t get day pass at the entrance! I missed all of these falls 😢

[@californiathroughmylens]

Oh bummer, ya this whole summer it has been like that. I think the reservation system may stop in November though

[@weirdshibainu]

Hiked this in 2018. Down to the valley floor and then back up to glacier point. Long day.

[@dior5133]

thanks😍👍

[@californiathroughmylens]

No problem 😊

[@christinerolle3876]

Thanks for sharing.you rock!!

[@ciegacita]

hi i need california outdoors winter activity recommendations. what outdoor activities can i do during thanksgiving to new years time?

[@sluggotinfantryman]

If you ain't dead go past Nevada Falls to the top of first Hump on Half Dome, you don't have to go up to cables to get the view of Little Yosemite Valley. It's a few extra miles but worth it. I call it last tree on the first hump. You pop out of woods go up turn around and you are staring at Clouds Rest and Little Yo.

[@mannyortega6733]

My family and I plan on going to Yosemite. Where do you suggest to stay?

[@bendawson1296]

Great video ,hoping to get too Yosemite next year from Australia. How long did the hike take you and do i need to take bear spray

[@mr_flyingsky]

Next year, glacier point won't open due to road work. So do this trail to glacier point and hike the four miles trail down to the valley would be a great day hike.

[@donniedarshan4081]

You are Best Travel Vlogger from USA as Far as i have Came Across in KZbin One More By Name Jessica Savano KZbin Channel Post Amazing Travel Videos I only know Two Best Till Today...

[@californiathroughmylens]

Thank you so much 🙂 Very kind of you to say that!

[@librasky]

agreed 👍 💯

[@markingj]

OMG!!!! Gorgeous views and video!!!!! I also uploaded videos about Yosemite including Panorama Trail like you, but totally different views from yours. , mine,,,,😩 especially the color,,, yours are so beautiful!!! I am gonna study and learn with watching your videos, my master!~

[@sluggotinfantryman]

Best Hike in America, you can add Four Mile to it from the valley floor but then it is a 14 mile hike instead of 10. Walk the overlook to the Valley side down 4 Mile some and the built overlooks. Be careful on the side here at Illouette, the cliff angles off into the gorge and if you ain't careful by edge you can slide right off trying to get photo of the falls. When you look across to Half Dome side down the gorge that point up there at top of trees is where you can see all five falls in the Valley. Not sure what it is called. Not easy to get too.

[@Dakine_OAG]

Another awesome video!! Was this ur first trek on Panorama Trail?

[@johnd746]

I was there in September during the fires, and when we were in the valley you couldn't even see El Capitan, or Half Dome, or anything else for that matter, because of all the smoke.

[@californiathroughmylens]

That is a bummer. It has been a crazy year with the fires for sure.

[@wesleykohlmeyer5230]

We were in Yosemite at the same time I went to 3 water falls to

[@mixeddrinks8100]

Sadly couldn't go there during April this year, I love it when the waterfall is gushing. Speaking of hiking, what are some of your hiking gears?

[@californiathroughmylens]

I don't really have a video on my gear that I use for hiking. I will have to make one of those in the future. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@nwjones1]

Love your posts! How much in advance did you get your reservation? I’m planning an early July trip

[@jp6378]

wow you're a good hiker. im a scaredy cat and i hike by looking at hiking videos like this....im fine hiking from home 😊 thanks for sharing your adventures with us ❤

[@EOSequal]

are there restrooms along the way? Great Video!

[@runswithbeer]

What was the trail snack? :)

[@markyuen2312]

Glad to see your mother helping you out on this video. Father couldn't make it this time??

[@GwuNC]

Hi Josh, Do you have any interior pictures of the upside down house at Lee Vinning? I went there recently, but it was closed so didn't get to see inside. Thanks.

[@dad102]

Hiking one-way down seems so much easier than climbing Half Dome, up and back down., 17 miles.

[@wd3011]

Since we can't take the bus to Glacier Point, I was thinking of parking at Glacier Point and hiking to Panorama Point and back to the parking lot. Any idea how many miles that is ?

[@rupman27isback]

I thought you get a great view of Vernal Falls off the John Muir Trail?

[@radicalwriter9427]

I love Yosemite. However I prefer backpacking from Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite valley.

[@sakuraeimaj]

Do you need a permit?

[@thecraftyproject4347]

Is this too easy of a starter mountain? Im looking into the 4 day guided packages and they are about $1000. But i want it to be a real challenge for $1000 if you get my drift.

[@johnd746]

The water level is a lot different from last year, when all the falls were raging.

[@californiathroughmylens]

For sure, it is crazy how different each year is for water level!

[@mh0Ang95]

You can see how for vernal falls the water marks on the rock surface used to be. Damn global warming and climate change

[@BigV424]

Hey Josh, if you could pick only 1 or two maximum trails to hit while in Yosemite....which would it be?

[@aashishsharma8267]

Hey, I started following your channel and have started exploring California following your videos. Whats your instagram channel? Any chance you would start other nearby states? Oregon, Washington?

[@jimcox5151]

How can I contact you??...great video...

[@garyleibitzke4166]

Beautiful scenery. How badly did the front of your thighs hurt the next day after all that downhill ?

[@californiathroughmylens]

haha! Downhill is tough for me so I was certainly feeling it!

[@2putt4sure85]

Hey Josh thank you for the video, never been to Yosemite. Did you need a permit for this hike? If anyone knows please reply.

[@jimlindsay9758]

I hope so. This isn't a kid friendly hike.