Little Yosemite Valley, situated between Half Dome, Liberty Cap and the Cascade Cliffs, and straddling the Merced River, is within close proximity of the national park's main valley. Start at Happy Isles trailhead (1232m high) To Vernal Falls: 30 minutes (2.4 kms, 300m elevation gain) To the steps: 15 minutes To Nevada Falls: 30 minutes (5.6 kms, 570m elevation gain, end of the Mist trail) To Little Yosemite Valley: 15 minutes To the Half Dome fork: 1 hour (10kms) Clouds Rest 5h Video from the top of Clouds Rest Grab a permit from Glacier Point or Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley, lace up your shoes, and get ready to rack up some vertical gain. Don (left) and the rest of the gang enjoying a few games of bridge in Little Yosemite Valley We had about a liter each, and wished we could’ve had just a bit more. Photo: Glenn Scofield Williams, CC BY 2.0. My first day featured 7 miles and 3,200ft of elevation gain from the car to my campsite, which was right at the junction to the Clouds Rest trail. Distance: 5 miles . Variations for Hikes: While the best and easiest way to hike the Panorama Trail is from Glacier Point down to Happy Isles, you could also do a shorter hike from Glacier Point to Illilouette Fall or Panorama Point and back up again. My first choice on my wilderness permit application, Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley, was denied, so I had to go with an alternate route, Happy Isles to Sunrise. The views throughout the Merced River Valley are phenomenal and the Lost Valley and Little Yosemite Valley are also quite interesting. You’ll have company on the Mist Trail as you descend beside 594-foot Nevada Fall and 317-foot Vernal Fall to Happy Isles, but you won’t blame anyone for wanting a look at some of America’s finest miles. After a mile, the JMT split off from the more popular Mist Trail that went down to Vernal Fall. Please note: Little Yosemite Valley is a backpacker’s campground at mile 4.5 on the trail. (A permit is now required for day hikers and backpackers hiking to Half Dome.) They had never been inside Yosemite. Hi All, My girlfriend and I have a backcountry permit for Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley in a few weeks. Dogs and bikes are not allowed. You can continue on to any campsite along the JMT the following night. While acclimating, not-so-much. While along this portion of trail JMT hikers will pass through part of the area burned in the 2014 Meadow Fire. After 21 miles and three days we should end up at Happy Isles at the Yosemite Valley floor. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. The hike up here was beautiful but strenuous. The trail is partially paved and wheelchair friendly. Little Yosemite Valley, situated between Half Dome, Liberty Cap and the Cascade Cliffs, and straddling the Merced River, is within close proximity of the national park's main valley. The first trail day began with hiking out of the valley from Happy Isles. Happy Isles Nature Center is visited by more than 10,000 families every year, inspiring countless young Yosemite visitors through its engaging and interactive exhibits. Let me tell you, I couldn’t my drop my backpack and strip to my skivvies fast enough! Each time rangers scared her off with spotlights and a paintball gun. Shortly, you'll come to a fork … Martin and Dorothy drove up to Yosemite with us. The description below is for the longer hike starting at the Yosemite Valley. A bathroom is located next to the Happy Isles Shuttle Stop. Hey there I will be in Yosemite National Park May 23-28, 2015 and got a trailhead permit reservation for entry at Glacier Point--> Little Yosemite Valley on May 25, 2015 and exit from Little Yosemite --> Happy Isles on May 27, 2015. If you’re unfamiliar with this location, it’s an alternate start point to Happy Isles, the more popular trailhead and official start of the JMT. Royal Arches on far Right, Indian Canyon receding in the middle of the wall, then Yosemite Point descending towards the slot Yosemite Falls falls through. Start the route at Happy Isles, past the river from the bus stop. Happy Isles is situated 2½ miles west of Little Yosemite Valley Campground. But the real amenity of Little Yosemite Valley was a short stroll down a dirt path, past the campground, past the restrooms, and into the crystal clear waters of the Merced River. We ascended Half Dome in the late afternoon and enjoyed an hour or so on the summit before returning down the cables. Both lead the final mile to the campground at Little Yosemite Valley. About a mile and a half in you will find yourself at the top of Vernal Falls. The Trail-Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley The Lip of Nevada Falls. (^This is how Augie's writings will appear throughout the JMT Diary). On the last day of our trek we hiked out of wilderness from Echo Valley to the Happy Isles Trailhead in Yosemite Valley. 7/21 – Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley 3.8 miles. Little Yosemite Valley is the most popular area in the Yosemite Wilderness, mainly because it provides easy access to Half Dome.Wilderness permits for the trails leading to Little Yosemite Valley are the most difficult to obtain, and a wilderness permit reservation is strongly recommended. If somehow you manage to become unhappy in Yosemite Valley, Happy Isles should lift your spirits. We had spent the preceding two nights prepping for the trip at Wawona (now known as Big Trees Lodge) on the edge of Yosemite. 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