Four Mile Trail Trailhead
Trailhead · Yosemite corridor
Four Mile Trail Trailhead sits at 4019 feet in Yosemite's Sierra Nevada corridor, offering direct access to one of the valley's most iconic steep ascents. Typically calmer than the valley floor below.
Wind averages 7 mph but gusts to 17 mph, driven by afternoon thermals off the valley. Morning calm gives way to increasing wind by midday. Expect crowding to pick up as soon as snow clears the upper switchbacks.
The 30-day average NoGo Score of 16.0 and wind of 7 mph are typical for spring in the Yosemite corridor. Temperature averages 41 degrees; watch for rapid warming by late morning that triggers afternoon wind. The week ahead will tell whether the seasonal trend continues or shifts with incoming systems.
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About Four Mile Trail Trailhead
Four Mile Trail Trailhead is the parking and staging point for the Four Mile Trail, a steep switchback route that climbs from the valley floor toward Glacier Point. The trailhead sits in the Yosemite Valley corridor at 4019 feet, accessed via Southside Drive just east of Sentinel Rock. Primary access comes via California Highway 41 from Fresno, or Highway 140 from Merced; both funnel into the valley 30 to 40 minutes before reaching the trailhead. The parking area is small and fills predictably on fair weekends; arriving before 8 am is essential on days when Highway 120 has recently reopened or when Valley weather breaks.
Spring and early summer see the sharpest crowding swings at this trailhead. Snow typically blocks the upper trail until late April or early May; once the route opens, use surges immediately. The 30-day average temperature of 41 degrees reflects April conditions; expect warming into the 50s by late May and into the 60s by early summer. Wind averages 7 mph over the last month but reaches a maximum of 17 mph; afternoon thermals off exposed rock drive gusts by 2 or 3 pm. Crowding averages 13 on a 0 to 100 scale, but doubles or triples once snow clears and crowds redistribute from the valley floor onto higher trails. Fall through winter brings milder crowds but colder conditions, with the year-round temperature minimum of 7 degrees a real risk on clear nights.
Four Mile Trail suits hikers with solid fitness and strong knees. The route is not for casual valley strollers; the unrelenting switchbacks demand sustained effort. Experienced visitors plan around parking scarcity, afternoon wind, and the exposed sun of the upper switchbacks. No water sources exist on the trail. Smoke from distant fires often settles in the valley and obscures views from the upper sections, particularly in August and September. Early starters avoid crowds and catch calmer morning conditions; afternoon climbers contend with wind and glare. The trailhead is less popular than valley-floor destinations but more crowded than outlying backcountry access points.
Nearby Four Mile Trail connects to Glacier Point Road at its upper terminus, offering a direct link to the Panorama Trail and the broader Glacier Point corridor. Visitors interested in similar steep valley-to-rim climbs can compare Four Mile Trail with Yosemite Falls Trail or Vernal Fall via the Mist Trail; Four Mile Trail is more exposed and wind-prone but less crowded. The Yosemite Valley corridor sees significant seasonal flux tied to Highway 120 opening and closing; when the high country route is blocked, valley-based trailheads absorb overflow use.