Submitted by Dave Hodgins (not verified) on Fri, 2008-04-11 14:49.
My wife & I took the hiker's bus to Glacier Point in July 2007 and walked the trail down to the valley and then over the swinging bridge where after approx 6 miles we slumped gratefully into our car seats! Also we are from Ireland where the highest mountain just about raises over 3500 feet. I would like to make a couple of comments on your description of the trail.
You describe the trail as easy "if you get the hikers bus up & only hike down." This may well be the case for the fit & young however my wife & I are in our fifties and with marginal fitness levels. We both love to walk alot but would not describe ourselves as athletes.
We actually found that the downhill sections - much steeper as you descend the switchbacks - very tiring on the knees, also there is quite a bit of loose scree in places which was very slippy under foot - even in good hiking boots - and again put some stress on the legs. We both ended up with bruised toes from having them forced into the front of our boots! 9 months later I have just lost my bruises.
My only point here is to warn older/less than athletic hikers that the trail is not a walk in the park.
That said we are so glad that we walked the trail, the views will last a lifetime in my memory. If anyone wants a recommendation for the less than fit, the upper part of the trail is both beautiful & pretty easy walking. If you want the views but fear the walk get the bus up, walk the first half of the trail where all the best views are & turn back up to Glacier Point to get the bus down again. That will give you the best views without the exhaustion and if you are as lucky as we were you might even see a bear or two.
The following morning to prevent my legs from stiffening up I walked the Mist Trail as far as the top of Vernal Falls and plan to return to get higher to the Nevada Falls. You have to love Yosemite.
4 mile 6 mile trail
My wife & I took the hiker's bus to Glacier Point in July 2007 and walked the trail down to the valley and then over the swinging bridge where after approx 6 miles we slumped gratefully into our car seats! Also we are from Ireland where the highest mountain just about raises over 3500 feet. I would like to make a couple of comments on your description of the trail.
You describe the trail as easy "if you get the hikers bus up & only hike down." This may well be the case for the fit & young however my wife & I are in our fifties and with marginal fitness levels. We both love to walk alot but would not describe ourselves as athletes.
We actually found that the downhill sections - much steeper as you descend the switchbacks - very tiring on the knees, also there is quite a bit of loose scree in places which was very slippy under foot - even in good hiking boots - and again put some stress on the legs. We both ended up with bruised toes from having them forced into the front of our boots! 9 months later I have just lost my bruises.
My only point here is to warn older/less than athletic hikers that the trail is not a walk in the park.
That said we are so glad that we walked the trail, the views will last a lifetime in my memory. If anyone wants a recommendation for the less than fit, the upper part of the trail is both beautiful & pretty easy walking. If you want the views but fear the walk get the bus up, walk the first half of the trail where all the best views are & turn back up to Glacier Point to get the bus down again. That will give you the best views without the exhaustion and if you are as lucky as we were you might even see a bear or two.
The following morning to prevent my legs from stiffening up I walked the Mist Trail as far as the top of Vernal Falls and plan to return to get higher to the Nevada Falls. You have to love Yosemite.