Dewey Point
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The rim at Dewey Point is unfenced with sheer drops of over 3,000 feet. Stay well back from the edge, especially on windy days. The granite can be slippery when wet or covered in pine needles.
Snow typically buries this trail from November through May or even June. Glacier Point Road closes for winter, cutting off vehicle access to the trailhead. Check road status with the park before planning your trip.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Start from the Badger Pass ski area parking lot in summer — it's the standard trailhead and rarely fills up since most crowds funnel to the Valley floor trails. You'll likely share the trail with fewer than a dozen other groups on weekdays.
Bring trekking poles for the descent to the Pohono Trail junction — the downhill stretch can be loose and gravelly, and you'll appreciate the stability on the return climb when your legs are tired.
The viewpoint at Dewey Point has a wide granite ledge that makes an ideal lunch spot. Arrive by mid-morning and you'll get soft, warm light on El Capitan's face — the best conditions for photography. Harsh midday sun washes out the valley's depth.
