In the heart of Yosemite Valley, two of the most majestic waterfalls in the country roar through the trees. The epic Mist Trail winds alongside the river while it climbs up hundreds of granite steps to the top of each waterfall. The best part? Getting soaked in the spray that thunders up from the ground as the river pounds the rocks below.
Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall are huge, booming waterfalls that showcase the majesty of Yosemite National Park. You can hike as far on the trail as you are able and still have a great experience, but I certainly suggest finding out for yourself why this trail is called the Mist Trail!
What You Need to Know
Depending on how far you decide to go, your hike can range from 1.6 miles – 5.9 miles roundtrip with 400 – 2,000 feet of elevation gain. Pets are not allowed on this trail.
The Mist Trail is paved for the first mile {but quite steep} and is overflowing with people anxious to catch a glimpse of a boisterous waterfall. After 0.8 miles of hiking alongside the beautiful Merced River, you will reach a footbridge with views of the spectacular Vernal Fall. This footbridge area also has a seasonal drinking fountain and restroom.
If you want to ditch most of the crowds, continue following the Mist Trail up the hundreds of granite steps in front of you. The steep granite stairway scares a lot of people off, but this is the cool part of the hike!
As you hike on the Mist Trail to the top of Vernal Fall, expect to get drenched — you’ll be covered from head to toe with waterfall spray! The granite staircase itself is very wet and slippery so be sure to have shoes with good traction and watch your footing.
When you reach the top of Vernal Fall, catch your breath while gazing over the brink of the waterfall and the powerful river below. The guard rail at the top of the Fall feels dangerously close to the edge and provides a spectacular encounter with Vernal Fall.
If you are feeling up to it, continue on along the Mist Trail to the top of Nevada Fall. You will pass the sparkling Emerald Pool with dramatic views of the unique granite domes in the distance. Although it may look inviting, be aware that there is no swimming in this area because of intensely strong currents in the water.
After passing the Emerald Pool you will come upon the Silver Apron. Although it’s hard to snap a photo of it, the Silver Apron is a perfectly polished chute of water that looks like an awesome natural waterslide. It is one of my favorite stops along the trail because I’ve never seen anything like it! Curb the temptation to jump in the water and slide through the rocks because the currents could sweep you right over the waterfall.
Just past the Silver Apron, the trail enters a beautiful pine forest with picturesque granite domes peeking through the trees.
The Merced River is the river responsible for the spectacular Vernal and Nevada Falls. For the highest flow and most powerful waterfalls, consider hiking this trail in the spring or early summer. The Mist Trail is closed during the winter because of icy and snowy conditions, so check with the Visitor Center to make sure the trail is open and clear of ice before attempting it in the spring.
Continue along the Mist Trail to get a gorgeous view of Nevada Fall. From here, prepare to make one final climb up some steep switchbacks and granite steps to reach the top!
Technically, the Mist Trail ends at the top of Nevada Fall where it meets up with the trail to Half Dome and the John Muir Trail.
After enjoying the view from the top of Nevada Fall, it’s time to decide which route you’d like to finish your hike.
You can turn around and hike back the same way you came.
Or, if you want an amazing photo of Nevada Fall with Half Dome and the Liberty Cap in the background, consider hiking back via the John Muir Trail {make sure you have a map with you}. This is the return route that I highly recommend.
To follow the John Muir Trail, walk across the footbridge that travels over Nevada Fall. The trail will hug the edge of a cliff as it skirts its way around to this view:
Continue to descend along the John Muir Trail for 1.4 miles until you reach the gorgeous view at Clark Point. From Clark Point, you have another decision to make. Turning right will take you down to the top of Vernal Fall and along the Mist Trail. You’ll have another chance to get wet — this is the route I recommend. It’s 1.9 miles to the Happy Isles Trailhead if you go this route.
Turning left at Clark Point will take you down to the Vernal Fall Footbridge, bypassing the misty part of the Mist Trail. Going this route is 2.3 miles to the Happy Isles Trailhead.
The Mist Trail to the Vernal Fall Footbridge is 1.6 miles roundtrip, the trail to the top of Vernal Fall is 3 miles roundtrip, and the trail to the top of Nevada Fall is 5.9 miles roundtrip {if following the recommended route above}. The total elevation gain to the top of Nevada Fall is 2,000 feet, making this trail moderately strenuous (especially because of all the staircases).
After hiking the Mist Trail, I strongly suggest heading to Washburn Point along the Glacier Point Road. From here, you will truly appreciate the grandeur of Vernal and Nevada Falls and the hard work you exerted to get there!
For directions to Washburn Point and other great places to visit in Yosemite, click here.
Getting Here
To get to the trailhead for Vernal Fall, DO NOT try to drive your car to the trailhead. Park at one of the valley’s large parking lots and catch the free park shuttle to the Happy Isles Nature Center, stop 16.
Hello, We are planning on being at the park during July 4th week. Seems that the Mist Trail stair portion is going to be closed from 7am-3pm. If we wanted to do the hike this before 7am in time to make it past the point it will close, what time do you suggest starting the hike from the trailhead?
We want to follow the itinerary we purchased but the hike starts at 7:30am.
What is your advice?
Thank you :)
Hey Janet, please contact me here regarding specific itinerary questions!
Where do you recommend staying. Considering the South Entrance. We’re coming from Reno. Tenaya Lodge is on the list.
You’ll find a full post about this here, or my Yosemite Itinerary maps out my specific recommendations!
Would these waterfalls still have some water in them if we went in early October?
Vernal and Nevada Fall usually run year-round, but they will be very small in October. You won’t get misted at that time of year :(
We have a 4-day itinerary for Yosemite, and the day you recommend doing these trails, you leave the afternoon open for choice of activity. We are debating on whether we should apply for a permit to do the rest of the Half Dome hike and do the cables, or if we should do one of the other activities in the valley. Thoughts?
If you want to hike Half Dome, that’s what I’d do! You’ll want to start even earlier in the morning if you opt to do that…you don’t want to be on the top of Half Dome in the afternoon if you can help it (large thunderstorms often roll through). If you don’t get Half Dome permits, rafting the Merced is SO much fun!
Are there places where you can get into the water to refresh from the hot weather?
Is it recommended to wear a Swimming suit?
No, it’s not safe to swim in the river in this area…there are undercurrents that will sweep you right over the waterfalls. If you hike in the early summer, you will get drenched by the spray of the waterfall though. I wouldn’t recommend a swimming suit for hiking in, but some good quick-dry clothes will work really well. Have fun!
I am not quite sure as to where exactly park my car and getting to Mist Trail. The Yosemite website says there are no shuttle rides for this year. Would I need to park near Happy Isles Trailhead and from there start my hike?
Yes, you’ll want to park as close to the Happy Isles Trailhead as you can!
Are dogs on leashes allowed on any of these cool excursions??
No, pets are not allowed on this trail. You can find the full pet policy here: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/pets.htm Thanks for being a responsible dog owner and following the outlined regulations. Have fun!
What a cool hike! Love how you captured the mist in your photos :)
Katie @ Katie Wanders
Thanks Katie! It’s one of my favorites :)
I loved this hike! It’s a tough one but worth it. I loved the sound of Vernal Falls. Amazing. We went in August so no spray to get us wet, but enough water for a beautiful waterfall.
I’m glad you loved it too! Sometimes I wonder if I over-romanticize some of these hikes, but I really did LOVE this one. I do have to say though that you should try to go back earlier in the summer sometime so that you can get the spray. I couldn’t believe how drenched we were!