Lookout Point Trail

Starting from the Hetch Hetchy entrance station, this short-but-steep out-and-back wastes no time gaining elevation through oak woodland and mixed conifers. The trail climbs steadily over rocky, root-laced terrain — expect a solid calf workout condensed into just one mile each way, with roughly the same vertical as climbing a 60-story building. The canopy offers decent shade for most of the ascent, but the final push to the rocky outcropping opens up to full sun and an absolutely jaw-dropping panorama of Hetch Hetchy Valley and its reservoir below. On clear days, the granite walls framing the valley rival anything in Yosemite Valley proper, minus about 99% of the crowds. This is a perfect trail for hikers who want a real viewpoint without committing to a full day — you can be back at your car in well under two hours.