Yosemite: Hiking the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls

VERNAL FALLS via MIST TRAIL: This hike offers breathtaking views of Yosemite Valley at the top of the waterfall. It paved, flat but ascending path through a forest for the first half of the hike (not entirely shaded). At midpoint of this trail, you will cross a bridge leading to a water re-fill station, which is convenient rest stop before continuing with the rest of the hike. The second half of the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls transitions into a steep granite stairway of over 600 steps. Be careful walking navigating your way through these steps because it is slippery and if you happen to be on the trail mid-day, when there is a peak in crowd factor, the stairway tends to get packed with people walking up and down the same steps. The final stretch to the top is a narrow stairway bridge with handrails to guide you, but because it is narrow, you will be in close proximity with others if there is a crowd.

CROWD FACTOR: I recommend venturing on this trail as early as possible to beat the crowd and the heat (during summer). As far as waterfall spray, the best time to go is spring and even early summer resulting from remaining snow melt. However, I went mid-August, and the water flow of Vernal Falls was quite robust and vibrantly misting.

NO SWIMMING (For your safety): There are plenty of rivers and bodies of water that may tempt you to take a dip in, however, because of the possibility of strong currents, signs will say it is prohibited because of an incident a few years ago of visitors who have been caught in the current and drowned.

WATERFALL SPRAY DURING SUMMER: This waterfall hike (incl. Nevada Falls) was just about one of the few waterfalls with strong water flow during mid-August. There was little to no water in Lower Yosemite Fall and Bridalveil Fall. Upper Yosemite Fall has some water, but due to a fire at the top of the waterfall, it was closed during my visit. I recommend asking a park ranger for advice about water flows in any of the waterfall hikes in Yosemite that interest you, if you are keen on seeing a waterfall. Some parts of this trail might be closed during the winter due to hazardous conditions, so be on the lookout for that if you go during winter.

NEVADA FALLS: The Mist Trail is composed of both Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. From Vernal Falls (after 1.1 miles), you could end your hike there or if could also be a great rest stop before continuing 1.6 miles further from that point to Nevada Falls.