# Glacier Point > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Glacier_Point > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Glacier_Point.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacier_Point > Source revision: 1333688067 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Viewpoint above Yosemite Valley, in California, USA The view from Glacier Point, left to right: [Tenaya Canyon](/source/Tenaya_Canyon), [Half Dome](/source/Half_Dome), [Liberty Cap](/source/Liberty_Cap_(California)), [Little Yosemite Valley](/source/Little_Yosemite_Valley), [Vernal Fall](/source/Vernal_Fall) and [Nevada Fall](/source/Nevada_Fall). **Glacier Point** is a [viewpoint](/source/Cliff) above [Yosemite Valley](/source/Yosemite_Valley) in the U.S. state of [California](/source/California). It is located on the south wall of Yosemite Valley at an elevation of 7,214 feet (2,199 m), 3,200 feet (980 m) above [Curry Village](/source/Curry_Village). The point offers a superb view of several of [Yosemite National Park](/source/Yosemite_National_Park)'s well-known landmarks, including Yosemite Valley, [Yosemite Falls](/source/Yosemite_Falls), [Half Dome](/source/Half_Dome), [Vernal Fall](/source/Vernal_Fall), [Nevada Fall](/source/Nevada_Fall), and [Clouds Rest](/source/Clouds_Rest). Between 1872 and 1968, it was the site of the [Yosemite Firefall](/source/Yosemite_Firefall). ## Geology The extreme point of the promontory of Glacier Point is wholly bare, but on the slopes below, in the hollow to the west, and on the wooded slope above, glacial material is abundant. Its glacial origin is definitely proved by the presence in it of rocks derived from [Little Yosemite Valley](/source/Little_Yosemite_Valley) and the [Sierra Nevada](/source/Sierra_Nevada_(U.S.)). There are three types of glacially-deposited rock at Glacier Point: 1. Most plentiful are rounded boulders and cobbles and angular fragments, all deeply weathered, of Half Dome quartz monzonite, the light-colored granite of which not only [Half Dome](/source/Half_Dome), but all of the Little Yosemite and its surrounding heights are composed.[1] 1. There are also a few boulders of a coarse-grained, highly siliceous granite, light buff in general tone when fresh but vivid rose when weathered. There is only one place in the High Sierra above the Yosemite from which they can be derived: [Mount Clark](/source/Mount_Clark_(California)), the sharp-profiled peak which stands on the east side of the [Illilouette Basin](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Illilouette_Basin&action=edit&redlink=1), 8 miles (13 km) from Glacier Point.[1] 1. Finally, there are fragments of yellowish quartzite and gray schist whose places of origin have been located on the long northern spur of Mount Clark.[1] Native Americans reportedly used Glacier Point's overhanging rock as a lookout, calling it "Patill-ima," though its meaning is unknown.[2] ## History Glacier Point overlook, late 1800s. In the late 1800s, the first formal trail to Glacier Point was constructed. This steep, rugged path became known as the [Four Mile Trail](/source/Four_Mile_Trail), which was completed in 1872, allowing visitors to hike to the summit for sweeping views of Yosemite Valley.[3][4] In 1882, the [Yosemite Stage and Turnpike Company](/source/Yosemite_Stage_and_Turnpike_Company) was granted permission to build a stage road to the summit, offering a less strenuous, though longer, route for horse-drawn vehicles.[5] By the early 1900s, the road was improved for automobiles, allowing easier access for visitors with a direct, drivable route to the point. The federal government took control of the road in 1917, the same year the [Glacier Point Hotel](/source/Glacier_Point_Hotel) opened.[6] ## Access Location of Glacier Point within Yosemite Glacier Point can be reached from the Valley via Glacier Point Road.[7] During the summer, Glacier Point is often crowded with [tourists](/source/Tourist). Tours by bus are also available and take about four hours.[8] The road is usually open from June through October. In winter, Glacier Point Road closes due to snow, and access to Glacier Point from the [Badger Pass Ski Area](/source/Badger_Pass_Ski_Area) is only by [ski](/source/Cross-country_skiing) or [snowshoe](/source/Snowshoe).[7] Glacier Point can also be reached via the [Four Mile Trail](/source/Four_Mile_Trail), which ascends the 3,200 feet (980 m) in 4.6 miles (7.4 km). This moderate to strenuous trail can provide access to Glacier Point when the Glacier Point Road is closed. Note, however, that the trail can be extremely hazardous when covered with snow or ice, so it is usually closed by the [Park Service](/source/United_States_National_Park_Service) from December through May. Another 8.2 miles (13.2 km) trail runs from Glacier Point down to the Valley, via the Panorama Trail, past Nevada and Vernal Falls. Hikers may also access trailheads to the Panorama trail and the Pohono trail. In 2020, the National Park Service announced major road works on Glacier Point Road in 2022. Due to this work, Glacier Point Road will be closed for the entire season in 2022. Glacier Point will only be accessible by foot during this year. There will also be road works in 2023, but only delays are predicted for this work.[9] ## See also - [Glacier Point Hotel](/source/Glacier_Point_Hotel) - [Four Mile Trail](/source/Four_Mile_Trail) - [Yosemite Firefall](/source/Yosemite_Firefall) - [Yosemite Valley](/source/Yosemite_Valley) - [Olmsted Point](/source/Olmsted_Point) ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Matthes_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Matthes_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Matthes_1-2) Matthes, F.E. (1930). ["Evidences of an earlier ice invasion"](http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/geology/publications/pp/160/sec3b.htm). *Geologic History of the Yosemite Valley*. [United States Department of the Interior](/source/United_States_Department_of_the_Interior) (USGS). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Hartesveldt1955_2-0)** Hartesveldt, Richard J. (1955). ["Yosemite Valley Place Names"](https://www.yosemite.ca.us/library/yosemite_valley_place_names/). *Yosemite Nature Notes*. Retrieved December 28, 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Glacier Point Trail"](https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=MET18720615.1.2&srpos=15&e=------187-en--20--1--txt-txIN-glacier+point+1872----1872---). *Merced Tribune*. Vol. 1, no. 9. June 15, 1872. Retrieved October 13, 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Bingaman, John W. (1968). "Chapter 5: Yosemite Trails". [*Pathways: A Story of Trails and Men*](https://www.yosemite.ca.us/library/pathways/yosemite_trails.html). Retrieved October 13, 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Meeting of the Yosemite Commissioners"](https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SDU18820909.2.29&srpos=2&e=------188-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22glacier+point%22----1882---). *Sacramento Daily Union*. Vol. 16, no. 17. September 9, 1882. Retrieved October 13, 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Encroaching Civilization - Transportation"](https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/historyculture/encroaching-civilization-transportation.htm). *National Park Service*. Retrieved October 13, 2024. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-npssite_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-npssite_7-1) ["Yosemite Auto Touring"](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/touring.htm). NPS. Retrieved May 16, 2008. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Glacier Point Tours"](http://www.yosemitepark.com/Activities_GuidedBusTours_GlacierPointTour.aspx). DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc. Retrieved May 16, 2008. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [Glacier Point Road closed in 2022](https://www.national-parks-usa.com/glacier-point-road-closed-2022-2023/) ## External links - [Yosemite National Park: Glacier Point](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/glacierpoint.htm) - U.S. National Park Service - [Photos from Glacier Point](http://www.yosemitefun.com/glacier_point.htm) - [QTVR of Yosemite Valley, including good view of Glacier Point](http://www.virtualparks.org/scenes/ZpaD6aFTW7Q_wxZ5oB_4PUw.html) **Glacier Point** at Wikipedia's [sister projects](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikimedia_sister_projects): - [**Media**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Glacier_Point) from Commons - [**Travel guides**](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Yosemite_National_Park) from Wikivoyage v t e Yosemite National Park Attractions Yosemite Valley Yosemite Village Hetch Hetchy Glacier Point Badger Pass Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias Tuolumne Meadows Tioga Pass Wawona Tree Chilnualna Falls Valley attractions Half Dome Yosemite Falls El Capitan Films: El Capitan, The Dawn Wall, Free Solo, To the Limit Bridalveil Fall Happy Isles Mirror Lake North Dome Vernal Fall Nevada Fall Little Yosemite Valley LeConte Lodge Bracebridge Dinner Yosemite Firefall Yosemite Valley Chapel Hiking trails John Muir Trail Mist Trail Panorama Trail McGurk Meadow Ostrander Lake Taft Point Sentinel Dome Alder Creek Mariposa Grove Wapama Falls Lembert Dome Rock climbs Fairview Dome, North Face Half Dome, Northwest Face Lost Arrow Spire Midnight Lightning Royal Arches Route Salathé Wall (El Capitan) Steck-Salathé Route (Sentinel Rock) Separate Reality The Nose (El Capitan) People John Muir Stephen T. Mather Galen Clark Shelton Johnson Buffalo Soldiers Chief Tenaya Ahwahnechee people Lodging and camping Yosemite Lodge at the Falls The Ahwahnee Curry Village Wawona Hotel Housekeeping Camp High Sierra Camps Camp 4 Natural disasters 1938 Yosemite TWA crash 1996 Yosemite Valley landslide 1997 Merced River flood 2013 Rim Wildfire 2022 Washburn Wildfire Transportation Nearby airports FAT RMY MMH YARTS Route 140 Route 41 Route 120 Nearby municipalities Foresta El Portal & Arch Rock Entrance Yosemite West & Chinquapin Wawona Bootjack Mariposa Briceburg Oakhurst Midpines Lee Vining Additional information History of the Yosemite area Geology of the Yosemite area List of historic places List of waterfalls Yosemite Category California Portal Authority control databases: National France BnF data [37°43′49″N 119°34′25″W / 37.7304°N 119.5736°W / 37.7304; -119.5736](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Glacier_Point¶ms=37.7304_N_119.5736_W_region:US-CA_type:landmark) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Glacier Point](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacier_Point) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacier_Point?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.