The Four Mile trail climbs all the way to Glacier Point. From there, you can loop around to Nevada Fall and back down to Happy Isles. It's quite an enjoyable full day hike. You can buy ice cream or a hot dog at Glacier Point -- How many hikes are there where you can stop and buy treats?
The stock trail joins the JMT at the bridge below Vernal Falls. It returns to Happy Isles -- just on the other side of the river. I take it often -- quiet, and very few people.
A more adventurous short hike with climbing is the hike to Sierra Point. Google it. Here's
a good set of pics. It gets to third class several places, and will test your route-finding skills at first.
My favorite short hike in Yosemite, but not in the Valley, is the shortcut route to Cathedral Lakes. In fact I think I'll post a description...
