Hiking The Mist Trail to Beautiful Vernal Falls – What To Expect

The Mist Trail to Vernal Falls is one of the most iconic, and therefore popular, hikes in California’s Yosemite National Park. Whilst not the easiest of hikes, the views on the way up and from the top of Vernal Falls are worth all the effort.

I hiked to the top of Vernal Falls via the Mist Trail as part of a group hiking trip and, if you’re able, I definitely recommend adding it to your trip itinerary. For those with the time and desire, it is possible to go higher still, up to Nevada Fall or, for those who only want to hike a short distance along the Mist Trail, you need only go as far as the Vernal Fall Footbridge.

In this post I’ll provide a practical guide for hiking the Mist Trail up to Vernal Falls. I’ll set out how to get to the trail, the stages of hiking it and what you can expect as you hike up (and come down). I’ll also provide some hiking tips to help make your journey a safe and enjoyable one.

Mist Trail to Vernal Falls – Hike Details

In deciding how far along the Mist Trail you want to hike, it’s helpful to set out the details of each section. I have extracted the information below from the official National Park Service website however you can also check the AllTrails website:

1. To Vernal Fall Footbridge

• Distance: 2.6 kilometres (1.6 miles) round trip
• Elevation gain: 120 metres (400 feet)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Time: 1 – 1.5 hours

2. To Top of Vernal Fall

• Distance: 3.9 kilometres (2.4 miles) round trip (via Mist Trail)
• Elevation gain: 300 metres (1000 feet)
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Time: 3 hours

3. To Top of Nevada Fall

• Distance: 8.7 kilometres (5.4 miles) round trip (via Mist Trail)
• Elevation gain: 610 metres (2000 feet)
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Time: 5-6 hours

Note: it is possible to use the John Muir Trail to hike to the top of Vernal Fall via the Clark Point cutoff and to the top of Nevada Fall. You can also combine the Mist Trail and John Muir Trail into a loop as I did. This will impact on the timings listed above.

Getting to the Mist Trail

Hiking the Mist Trail begins at Happy Isles in the eastern part of Yosemite Valley. If you are using the shuttle bus, then it is stop 16. As I mentioned above, I hiked the Mist Trail to Vernal Fall as part of a group hiking trip and we used private transportation to get around. We arrived at Happy Isles from the direction of Curry Village and the Upper Pines Campground.

It’s a lovely, flat and shaded walk through pine trees to this point….enjoy it!

From Happy Isles (and the shuttle stop if you use it) follow the signs for the Mist Trail. There will likely be a lot of other hikers with you so you’re unlikely to get lost!

Cross over the Happy Isles Bridge – take the opportunity first to get some lovely photos of the Merced River. Once over the bridge, follow the signs to the Mist Trail.

Hiking the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls

There are 3 destinations open to you once you are on the Mist Trail – Vernal Fall Footbridge, Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. I did not go as far as Nevada Fall so this post is limited to my experience of getting to the first 2 destinations.

1. Hike to Vernal Fall Footbridge

Once you are on the Mist Trail the pathway to the footbridge from the trailhead becomes steeper and does not flatten out! The trail is paved and easy to walk on, however it felt steeper than we were expecting and as one of our team said, “this is no joke!”.

On the way toward the footbridge you will see a few signs, some are directional whilst others are timely reminders!

From the footbridge you will get lovely views again of the Merced River and up to Vernal Fall. There are also bathrooms and a water refill station here.

2. Hike to Vernal Fall on the Mist Trail

About 300 metres (0.2 miles) from the footbridge, the Mist Trail and John Muir Trail diverge. To hike the Mist Trail follow the sign (to the left from memory!). Hike through the trees until you come to the granite path.

Shortly after that, Vernal Falls will appear as will the infamous granite steps! There are over 600 steps and in some places they are narrow, although there are some hand rails to use. If you are hiking in the spring and summer then you are likely to catch a fair bit of spray coming off the waterfall, especially in spring. This can make for slippery footing but is, after all, how the trail got its name!

The views are spectacular and you will want to stop along the steps to enjoy them and take photos…plus, at that height, you will likely want to stop and have a rest anyway!

Carry on up the steps until you get to the top of Vernal Falls. From here you can look down the length of the falls, some 317 feet! The views over the valley are simply stunning as is the view of Liberty Cap through the trees behind you.

At this point, you have a decision to make:

1. carry on uphill above Vernal Fall and hike to Nevada Falls. I did not do this, but those who do will pass Emerald Pool and Silver Apron, 2 bodies of water which, although apparently appealing on a hot day, are dangerous and it’s illegal to swim in them; or

2. turn around the way you came and head back down the stone steps. As I mentioned above, these can get slippery so be careful; or

3. continue up for about 300 metres (0.2 miles) to a junction and from there take the John Muir Trail back down to the Vernal Fall Footbridge. This trail is longer and there are a number of switchbacks to walk down but it is easier than taking the granite steps. You can also get great views of Liberty Cap and the back of Half Dome from the John Muir Trail.

I chose this third option for my return hike and arrived back near the Vernal Fall Footbridge where the Mist Trail and John Muir Trail diverge. I would just note that I did find parts of the John Muir Trail to be quite dry and a little slippery, however I was hiking during a heatwave!

Hiking the John Muir Trail to Vernal Falls

It is of course possible to hike to Vernal Fall via the John Muir Trail. Instead of turning on to the Mist Trail just after the footbridge, turn right instead. You’ll encounter the switchbacks going up rather than coming down as I did. In either direction however you will get a great view of Liberty Cap and Nevada Fall.

Mist Trail & John Muir Trail Closures

The Mist Trail, from its junction with the John Muir Trail (above Vernal Fall footbridge) to the top of Vernal Fall, is closed on Mondays to Thursdays from 7 am to 3:30 pm (although these dates and times are subject to change).

The trail is open Fridays to Sundays and on holidays. Be sure to check the official National Park Service website for up to date visitor information.

The seasons can also impact the Mist Trail and John Muir Trail. In winter, the lower portion of the Mist Trail along Vernal Fall closes due to risk of falling ice and rock. The upper portion of the John Muir Trail between Clark Point and the top of Nevada Fall also closes in winter due to icy conditions.

Although you can hike to both waterfalls in winter, you need to be up to date as to routes that are open and be aware that they may be icy and snowy. Check the official National Park Service website for current conditions.

My Tips for Hiking the Mist Trail

Hiking the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls was the first hike I did in Yosemite. I don’t therefore have a wealth of experience when it comes to hiking in the Park but I did do my research and I did make it to the top of Vernal Falls (& safely back down!). Here are my tips:

• do your research – be aware of the steepness of the paths and the elevation
• if you think elevation may be an issue, consult with your doctor before travelling
• wear comfortable, supportive hiking shoes
• wear clothing suitable to hike in e.g. fitness/exercise clothing, hiking trousers/shorts etc.
• carry water – you can refill at the Vernal Falls Footbridge
• take a snack
• wear sunscreen
• wear bug spray
• listen to your body – stop and rest if you need to, turn back or choose an easier route
• comply with all trail signage i.e. do not step over the barriers at the top of Vernal Falls!
• consider using hiking poles if you could benefit from added stability or have joint issues
• do not get into the water – people have been swept to their deaths ignoring this advice
• be aware that you may get quite wet from the spray & consider taking a jacket
• the trails are busy so for less people, hike early!
• if hiking later in the day, carry a flashlight/headlamp

Final Thoughts

The Mist Trail Yosemite National Park is iconic. A physical challenge combined with stunning views make it a must do for those capable during any trip to the Park. That said, it’s important to know what to expect and to be prepared. Listen to your body, wear and carry the right things and play by the rules. In this way, you, like me, will have a great experience hiking the Mist Trail.

Yosemite National Park is located in Mariposa County, about 274 kilometres (170 miles) from San Francisco. If you are planning to visit Yosemite then do read my post How to Spend 2 Days in Yosemite National Park. If you are planning to spend time in San Francisco before or after your visit to Yosemite, then do read the other posts in my San Francisco series.

Finally, if you need any general assistance with planning a trip to San Francisco and/or Yosemite National Park, then check out my Resources page.

Happy hiking!

Disclaimer – Information correct at the time of writing but do check before visiting.