Pacific Crest Trail, California

Looking for the best hiking in Pacific Crest Trail? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Pacific Crest Trail. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Pacific Crest Trail

  • Yosemite Valley, California

    Hike to Basket Dome

    9.45 mi / 6752 ft gain
    Getting There Starting in Yosemite Valley, head to the Snow Creek trailhead just past Muir Meadows. Start the hike early in the morning, since it gets pretty hot in the summer and the last part of the hike is in the sun. The Trail You'll hike more than 140 switchbacks to reach the top of Ba...
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  • Yosemite Valley, California

    Hike to Hidden Falls (aka Tenaya Creek Falls)

    4.2
    Also known as Tenaya Creek Falls or Three Chutes Falls, this spot is loved by locals and is definitely worth the hidden trail and scramble over rocks. The hike takes you along Tenaya Creek, Mirror Lake, and a boulder-filled canyon. Great for photos or for relaxing by some secluded falls. To get t...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Four Mile Trail to Panorama Trail Loop

    5.0
    16.03 mi / 5177 ft gain
    Four Mile Trail to Panorama Trail Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Yosemite Valley, California.
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Camp at Glacier Point

    4.7
    9.17 mi / 3491 ft gain
    Everyone that knows Yosemite, knows Glacier Point. An overlook that attracts thousands of people per day that drive up via Glacier Point Road is rarely vacant of the hustle and bustle of people. However, there is a loop hole here, and when the stars align you can have Glacier Point ALL to yoursel...
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  • Yosemite Valley, California

    Half Dome via the Mist Trail

    4.9
    15.94 mi / 6437 ft gain
    Be sure to arrive early early in the morning to beat the crowds or if you want to break up the hike, first-come, first served campsites are available at Little Yosemite Valley Campground - make sure to check out the details in that adventure and obtain a wilderness permit. Even if you are just da...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Glacier Point via Four Mile Trail

    5.0
    9.59 mi / 3940 ft gain
    Glacier Point is one of the highlights of Yosemite. The point is located at the end of Glacier Point Road. This viewpoint allows you to survey the entire Yosemite Valley and gives the viewer a captivating sight of Half Dome. It's a little bit of a tourist trap (especially during the summer season...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Union Point via Four Mile Trail

    6.09 mi / 3002 ft gain
    Four Mile Trail is steep, but hikers efforts are more than rewarded. Union Point sits above Yosemite Valley at 6,332 feet - offering sweeping views of El Capitan and the valley entrance to the left, and North Dome / Half Dome & Clouds Rest to the right. You can also see Yosemite Falls straigh...
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  • Yosemite Valley, California

    Vernal & Nevada Falls via Happy Isles

    4.6
    7.23 mi / 2815 ft gain
    This popular hike starts near Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley. The first mile of the trail is paved and almost entirely uphill. You will come to the footbridge which tends to be very crowded. About 0.2 miles beyond the footbridge, the Mist Trail and the John Muir Trail diverge. Follow the Mist Tra...
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  • Yosemite Valley, California

    Thru-Hike the John Muir Trail

    5.0
    203.17 mi / 44944 ft gain
    To thru hike the JMT is probably one of the sickest trips to do! It's not a heavy commitment like the PCT or AT but it's also no week long vacation from work, backpacking the woods of your local forests either. There's a sweet spot in thru hiking and I believe this trail gives the full taste. You...
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  • Tuolumne County, California

    Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias

    4.3
    2.67 mi / 653 ft gain
    The Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias is one of three sequoia groves in Yosemite National Park. This particular grove has gorgeous forest scenery and provides great solitude compared to the crowded Yosemite Valley. The trail used to be an old road offering a wide path with a gradual descent, makin...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Little Yosemite Valley Campsite and Half Dome

    4.6
    13.88 mi / 4934 ft gain
    First things first. You will need to get a wilderness pass by entering the lottery for Half Dome access. If you don't get a pass via lottery just go to the Yosemite Valley visitor center, tell the clerk you are backpacking to Little Yosemite Valley and that you would like to hike up Half Dome. Th...
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  • Tuolumne Meadows, California

    Sierra Point via Happy Isle

    5.0
    1.44 mi / 1007 ft gain
    The unmaintained trail is initially hard to find if you’re not familiar with its location. Here are the instructions: From Happy Isle, start on the JMT trail heading towards Vernal Falls. Shortly after passing a sign indicating the start of the John Muir Trail, you'll come to another sign o...
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  • Mariposa, California

    Panorama Trail

    4.8
    16.87 mi / 5184 ft gain
    The Panorama Trail is an outstanding hike that takes you from the Yosemite Valley floor up to Glacier Point. Or you can hike it downhill going from Glacier Point to Yosemite Valley. You can camp and make it an overnight trip or do it as a day trip by leaving a car at one end and taking a park sh...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Vernal Fall Foot Bridge Trail via Mist and John Muir Trail

    5.0
    2.4 mi / 761 ft gain
    Vernal Fall Foot Bridge Trail via Mist and John Muir Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Yosemite Valley, California.
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  • Yosemite Valley, California

    Mist Trail to Vernal Falls

    4.9
    3.11 mi / 1319 ft gain
    This is one of the most epic short hikes that you can do in Yosemite. Highly recommend it for anyone staying in the valley or visiting with enough time for a 2-3 hour hike. While the distance isn't long, you will stop a lot along the way to take in the beauty and also spend time at the top of the...
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  • Yosemite Village, California

    Taft Point via Glacier Point

    7.67 mi / 2011 ft gain
    The Taft Point Trail via Glacier Point Road is one of Yosemite’s most rewarding short hikes, offering massive granite cliffs, dizzying drop-offs, and unforgettable views of Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls—all without the crowds of more popular viewpoints. This relatively easy hike...
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