eeeheeheehee - Nov 5, 2021 5:23 pm Date Climbed: Nov 4, 2021
Ledge Loop
There are two gullies (call them Ledge Gully and Alt Gully) that converge 2/3 up the face of Glacier Point into a single gully (call it Upper Gully). The traditional Ledge Trail follows the Ledge Gully and Upper Gully to the forest a few hundred feet west of Glacier Point. All three gullies are class 3. The Ledge Gully is the "most dangerous," but its danger has been hysterically exaggerated online. If you keep near the wall and walk carefully, you are always 100 to 300 feet from the sheer edge. The only serious danger is rockfall from the unstable wall above, but that's the risk you take in hiking this trail.
From Curry, I walked up Alt Gully and Upper Gully to Glacier Point in 2 hours 15 minutes. After some time up top, I then descended down Upper Gully and Ledge Gully to Curry in 1 hour 45 minutes. All three gullies had small intermittent streams. I christen this route "The Ledge Loop."
Had a nice trip up the Ledge Trail from Curry Village to Glacier Point. All-in-all a beautiful hike with perfect temps and amazing views. All the notes I've read from Bob's post are still accurate for the trail as of Sept 2019. I wish the trail could be opened again, with some much needed improvements to ensure rock slides don't endanger hikers. I did not experience any situations where I felt in danger, although I would NOT RECOMMEND descending the Ledge Trail. Navigating is pretty straightforward leaving the Valley Floor from Curry Village near the pool and go straight up (no distinct trail) until you reach Glacier Point Apron and then navigate upward to the right hugging the cliff and meandering out and in until you reach the approximate half way point where you will encounter orange blazes which are easily followed. Some intense bushwhacking is involved but the trail follows a distinct path that is hard to lose. Upon reaching the Four Mile Trail I turned Left to go to the tourist lookout and was rewarded with a huge crowd and epic views. Returning to the valley I choose the Four Mile Trail and ran most of the way. I reached the trailhead at 6:08 pm. Eight minutes late for the bus back to Curry, so I walked about 2.2 miles further.
WillGiesbrecht - Aug 3, 2019 10:15 pm Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2019
Ledge Trail Hike
This hike was pretty difficult for me, much less so for my younger friend. The last third after crossing Staircase Fall was a fair amount of bushwhacking. Overall, great views along the way and an interesting hike.
gordonye - Jul 2, 2014 3:47 pm Date Climbed: Jun 28, 2014
moderate scramble
Ascended in 3.5 hours with Mike C. Easy route finding, some Bush whacking, and total solitude. Beautiful views. A few class 3 steps.
Bill Kish - May 2, 2011 2:24 pm Date Climbed: May 1, 2011
Ledge Route
Beautiful snow climb in the upper couloir with about 4 feet of quality snow covering the brush. Still lots of fresh rockfall on the lower section as evidenced by pulverized branches on the ground with still-green leaves.
The trail is no longer a true hikers trail (see other posts). It is not worth your life to attempt this. If you want the views of Half Dome and the Valley, go up to the sign and take some pictures, then come back down.
davgoodman1 - Nov 8, 2006 10:34 pm Date Climbed: Nov 3, 2006
A long wet day
We got a late start, and had our share of problems, but in retrospect, I would do it again in a heartbeat. We had kids that were not in shape for the hike (my fault) and this slowed us down considerably. If I had been by myself, I would have gone up and down in about 5-6 hours, but it took us 11. We left at around 11am and finished at 9:30pm. Our trip was complicated by a driving rain that hit us as we entered the gully and renewed Staircase Falls into a falls. Inspite of this, 10 of the 13 made the point by 4:30 (would have been much sooner, but we tried to hike as a group and this slowed us to a crawl; when we finally split up in the gully, we summited quickly). Thanks to the genorosity of a nice man who gave me a ride to the valley, I brought up the SUV and got the kids into it while a few of us went down and guided the other three to the top. It was cold, wet and miserable, but after a hot shower and a warm meal, all were ready to go the next day. If I was to do this again (and I will!!), I would do 3 things; Start earlier, carry rain ponchos, and consider screening the hikers ahead of time. Please check the additions and comments for other recommendations on this trail. It is unquestionably worth the trip.
Good luck.
davgoodman
Please read the post of 9/6/10. Conditions have changed radically on this trail. It is no longer the trail I described in 06.
eeeheeheehee - Nov 5, 2021 5:23 pm Date Climbed: Nov 4, 2021
Ledge LoopThere are two gullies (call them Ledge Gully and Alt Gully) that converge 2/3 up the face of Glacier Point into a single gully (call it Upper Gully). The traditional Ledge Trail follows the Ledge Gully and Upper Gully to the forest a few hundred feet west of Glacier Point. All three gullies are class 3. The Ledge Gully is the "most dangerous," but its danger has been hysterically exaggerated online. If you keep near the wall and walk carefully, you are always 100 to 300 feet from the sheer edge. The only serious danger is rockfall from the unstable wall above, but that's the risk you take in hiking this trail.
From Curry, I walked up Alt Gully and Upper Gully to Glacier Point in 2 hours 15 minutes. After some time up top, I then descended down Upper Gully and Ledge Gully to Curry in 1 hour 45 minutes. All three gullies had small intermittent streams. I christen this route "The Ledge Loop."
markandrewwilson - Sep 23, 2019 8:22 pm Date Climbed: Sep 22, 2019
Ledge TrailHad a nice trip up the Ledge Trail from Curry Village to Glacier Point. All-in-all a beautiful hike with perfect temps and amazing views. All the notes I've read from Bob's post are still accurate for the trail as of Sept 2019. I wish the trail could be opened again, with some much needed improvements to ensure rock slides don't endanger hikers. I did not experience any situations where I felt in danger, although I would NOT RECOMMEND descending the Ledge Trail. Navigating is pretty straightforward leaving the Valley Floor from Curry Village near the pool and go straight up (no distinct trail) until you reach Glacier Point Apron and then navigate upward to the right hugging the cliff and meandering out and in until you reach the approximate half way point where you will encounter orange blazes which are easily followed. Some intense bushwhacking is involved but the trail follows a distinct path that is hard to lose. Upon reaching the Four Mile Trail I turned Left to go to the tourist lookout and was rewarded with a huge crowd and epic views. Returning to the valley I choose the Four Mile Trail and ran most of the way. I reached the trailhead at 6:08 pm. Eight minutes late for the bus back to Curry, so I walked about 2.2 miles further.
WillGiesbrecht - Aug 3, 2019 10:15 pm Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2019
Ledge Trail HikeThis hike was pretty difficult for me, much less so for my younger friend. The last third after crossing Staircase Fall was a fair amount of bushwhacking. Overall, great views along the way and an interesting hike.
gordonye - Jul 2, 2014 3:47 pm Date Climbed: Jun 28, 2014
moderate scrambleAscended in 3.5 hours with Mike C. Easy route finding, some Bush whacking, and total solitude. Beautiful views. A few class 3 steps.
Bill Kish - May 2, 2011 2:24 pm Date Climbed: May 1, 2011
Ledge RouteBeautiful snow climb in the upper couloir with about 4 feet of quality snow covering the brush. Still lots of fresh rockfall on the lower section as evidenced by pulverized branches on the ground with still-green leaves.
davgoodman1 - Sep 6, 2010 10:23 pm Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2010
Ledge TrailThe trail is no longer a true hikers trail (see other posts). It is not worth your life to attempt this. If you want the views of Half Dome and the Valley, go up to the sign and take some pictures, then come back down.
davgoodman1 - Nov 8, 2006 10:34 pm Date Climbed: Nov 3, 2006
A long wet dayWe got a late start, and had our share of problems, but in retrospect, I would do it again in a heartbeat. We had kids that were not in shape for the hike (my fault) and this slowed us down considerably. If I had been by myself, I would have gone up and down in about 5-6 hours, but it took us 11. We left at around 11am and finished at 9:30pm. Our trip was complicated by a driving rain that hit us as we entered the gully and renewed Staircase Falls into a falls. Inspite of this, 10 of the 13 made the point by 4:30 (would have been much sooner, but we tried to hike as a group and this slowed us to a crawl; when we finally split up in the gully, we summited quickly). Thanks to the genorosity of a nice man who gave me a ride to the valley, I brought up the SUV and got the kids into it while a few of us went down and guided the other three to the top. It was cold, wet and miserable, but after a hot shower and a warm meal, all were ready to go the next day. If I was to do this again (and I will!!), I would do 3 things; Start earlier, carry rain ponchos, and consider screening the hikers ahead of time. Please check the additions and comments for other recommendations on this trail. It is unquestionably worth the trip.
Good luck.
davgoodman
Please read the post of 9/6/10. Conditions have changed radically on this trail. It is no longer the trail I described in 06.