(2.5 miles. Average 4 hours climb)
Next to Half Dome, the ~Ledge Trail~ is the most thrilling of Yosemite
climbs. The ascent was formerly quite dangerous, but in 1918 a safe
foot-trail was constructed. The record ascent is fifty-three minutes,
but this is a steep, hard, 3200-foot climb and will take the average
individual three to five hours.
The trail starts from the Happy Isles Road, turning southward just
east of the new ~Le Conte Lodge~. It climbs the talus slope above
~Camp Curry~ and turns westward up a steep ledge. As the trail mounts
to view-commanding heights there are many unusual and impressive
glimpses into the depths below. Reaching a steep canyon, the trail
turns sharply to the left and climbs beside a small creek. ~The water
is polluted~ and to drink it is dangerous. Near the top, the trail
gradually becomes less and less steep and finally crosses the canyon
rim only a few feet distant from ~Glacier Point~ and the ~Overhanging
Rock~. Glacier Point Hotel is about 200 yards southward.