Ghost Forest Trail

Overview

The trailhead for the Ghost Forest Trail is located in the Bridalveil Campground. Departing the end of the of the campground, the trail meanders along Bridalveil Creek for most of the way. The trail is wide at the beginning, being made up of mostly sand and gravel before it begins to narrow as you travel further into the forest. <br><br>The Ghost Forest Trail is fairly flat, making it an easy route through the woods. Around half a mile, a meadow opens up on the left hand side of the trail, where deer can be seen feeding in the early morning or evenings. From this point, the trail runs close to Bridalveil Creek for about a quarter of a mile before moving away from it. However, you can still hear the sound of the water making its way downstream. At .9 miles, the trail crosses a tributary that feeds Bridalveil Creek. This is tributary is easily crossed via a rock hop, but could be trickier in the spring as the snow melt feeds the creek.<br><br>From here, the trail begins to climb gently through an evergreen forest as it makes its way to the Ostrander Lake Trail. At a few points, the trail approaches the creek again and in certain places, its viewable below the trail. At 1.4 miles, the trail comes to a junction. If you continue straight, the trail continues its way toward Deer Camp and the Ostrander Lake Cutoff. If you turn to the left, the Ghost Forest Trail heads toward the Ostrander Lake Trail. The trail descends along a narrow track for about a quarter of a mile until you reach Bridalveil Creek. In the spring, this can be a difficult crossing due to the additional water from the snow melt. At other times in the year, this is an easy rock hop across the creek. The trail climbs away from the creek until it meets up with the Ostrander Lake Trail. <br><br>From here, you have several options. You can follow the Ostrander Lake Trail to the left for 1.5 miles until you reach a parking lot on Glacier Point Road, where you can catch a ride back to your car or follow the road back to Bridalveil Campground. If you go

Trail Stats

Photos

Sign at the trailhead indicating how far it is to various Yosemite destinations.

Sign at the trailhead indicating how far it is to various Yosemite destinations.

There are several small tributaries that feed into Bridalveil Creek, which require rock hops or log crossings in order to cross. This can be trickier in the spring, when snow melt feeds the creek.

There are several small tributaries that feed into Bridalveil Creek, which require rock hops or log crossings in order to cross. This can be trickier in the spring, when snow melt feeds the creek.

The crossing of Bridalveil Creek on the Ghost Forest Trail.

The crossing of Bridalveil Creek on the Ghost Forest Trail.

Animal tracks can be seen crossing the trail in the winter snow or spring mud as animals make their way to the creek to drink or feed.

Animal tracks can be seen crossing the trail in the winter snow or spring mud as animals make their way to the creek to drink or feed.

Ice forms on the top of Bridalveil Creek in late fall. Snow and ice make the trails slippery, especially in the shade, so watch your step.

Ice forms on the top of Bridalveil Creek in late fall. Snow and ice make the trails slippery, especially in the shade, so watch your step.

The trail climbs away from the creek. It's narrow as it makes its way uphill to the next trail junction.

The trail climbs away from the creek. It's narrow as it makes its way uphill to the next trail junction.

Signage at the split.

Signage at the split.

The trail is wide and gravelly as it departs the campground.

The trail is wide and gravelly as it departs the campground.

The trail as it makes its way back to Bridalveil Creek.

The trail as it makes its way back to Bridalveil Creek.

Several sections of the trail run right along Bridalveil Creek, making it a great place to experience the spring snowmelt. In the late fall, the trail can be snowy and icy.

Several sections of the trail run right along Bridalveil Creek, making it a great place to experience the spring snowmelt. In the late fall, the trail can be snowy and icy.

A meadow sits off to the left side of the trail where deer can be seen feeding in the early morning or evening.

A meadow sits off to the left side of the trail where deer can be seen feeding in the early morning or evening.

Moss can be found growing on the trees along the trail. Here, some has been knocked off the surrounding trees and lies in the early morning light.

Moss can be found growing on the trees along the trail. Here, some has been knocked off the surrounding trees and lies in the early morning light.

Bridalveil Creek from Ghost Forest Trail.

Bridalveil Creek from Ghost Forest Trail.

The wildflowers that bloom in late spring and early summer attract a lot of butterflies.

The wildflowers that bloom in late spring and early summer attract a lot of butterflies.

Snow covers the trail in shaded sections of the forest. Watch your step as there might be ice underneath, making it slippery.

Snow covers the trail in shaded sections of the forest. Watch your step as there might be ice underneath, making it slippery.

The trail is narrow as it makes its way through the forest. The trail is mainly dirt at this point.

The trail is narrow as it makes its way through the forest. The trail is mainly dirt at this point.

Small pond fed by Bridalveil Creek right next to the Bridalveil Creek Trailhead

Small pond fed by Bridalveil Creek right next to the Bridalveil Creek Trailhead

The trail stays close to Bridalveil Creek for the first half mile

The trail stays close to Bridalveil Creek for the first half mile

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