【Hike】Vernal Fall via Mist Trail - Yosemite National Park in California

Thursday, August 17, 2023

【Hike】Vernal Fall via Mist Trail - Yosemite National Park in California

As we know, it historically rained a lot in California during the rainy season, through spring in 2023. In March this year, Yosemite National Park closed temporally because there was snow up to 15 feet deep in several areas of the park. Some trails are still closed at the park due to trail work.

Last month, my husband and I finally went to Yosemite National Park for our first time. It's because we wanted to see the most stunning waterfalls in the world. It's the best time to see the waterfalls after the rainy season.

My Yosemite National Park Day 1 Walking Summary (UA MapMyWalk App)

During this travel, we visited Yosemite National Park two times. On the first day of our visit, we tried Mist Trail and Mirror Lake Trail. Actually, it was very strenuous hikes! Because the parking lots were too busy, we ended up parking around Yosemite Valley Lodge, which was far from the trailhead. According to MyMapWalk App, we walked 14 miles that day! It was the longest hike we've ever tried. 😂

We hiked the Mist Trail and Mirror Lake Trail that day.

Vernal Fall via Mist Trail

Anyway, today I'm going to share with you my Vernal Fall hike. I will write about Mirror Lake Trail in my future entry.

My Vernal Fall via Mist Trail Walking Summary (AllTrails App)

Tips for Walking to Vernal Fall via Mist Trail.
・Apply sunscreen on entire body.
・Wear sunglasses and hat with high UPF.

・Bring a lot of water and some snacks.
・Drink water often.
・Bring waterproof jackets or poncho.
・It's a strenuous hike.

・It's rocky and slippery, so wear appropriate shoes.

・You cannot bring your dog.

・Extremely weak cell service

My Mist Trail Walking Summary (AllTrails App)

From Yosemite Valley Lodge Parking lot, it was 10 mile-hike without Mirror Lake trail.

From Yosemite Valley Lodge Parking Lot to Trailhead of John Muir Trail

Yosemite Valley Lodge Parking Lot

We stayed at hotel in Oakhurst, and we left there at 6:45 a.m. Then, we arrived at South Entrance at 7:10 a.m. After we parked at Yosemite Valley Lodge Parking Lot at 8:30 a.m, we headed toward the trailhead of John Muir Trail. We probably should have used the free shuttle bus, but it was extremely packed due to overcrowding. It seemed like it would take forever to get on the bus. That's why we decided to walk to the trailhead. If you prefer to use the shuttle bus, this Yosemite Valley Lodge parking lot is close to Shuttle Stop #7, and you can get off the bus at the Shuttle Stop #16, which is close to the trailhead of John Muir Trail which leads to Mist Trail.

Anyway, we headed toward the trailhead. The views from the path were so beautiful already!

Yosemite Visitor Center

Merced River

We finally reached to Happy Isles Bridge, but we were already tired before the trailhead of John Muir Trail. We walked three miles from the parking lot to here. 😅

We decided to take a break before starting to walk on John Muir Trail. My husband made tuna buns at our hotel that morning. We enjoyed early lunch while watching the Merced River.

John Muir Trail to Mist Trail

We started walking on the John Muir Trail to Mist Trail.

You must know what you should do if you encounter bears at Yosemite National Park.

Merced River

While we were walking up the hill, we enjoyed the views of the stunning Merced River from the trail.

Vernal Fall Footbridge

When we reached to Vernal Fall Footbridge, it was so crowded.

Vernal Fall Footbridge

We enjoyed watching the Merced River which has extremely strong current.

Around the Vernal Fall Footbridge, many people were taking a break and having lunch. We saw a lot of birds and squirrels there.

Mist Trail to Vernal Fall

There was the intersection of John Muir Trail (Right) and Mist Trail (Straight). We walked up the hill on the Mist Trail along the Merced River.

Merced River

Mist Trail

When we started walking on Mist Trail, I put my waterproof jacket on. You will be wet completely without waterproof jacket or poncho.

You will feel the waterfall mist while walking on the Mist Trail.

Vernal Fall

Climbing up these wet stairs was pretty challenging, but we enjoyed spectacular views.

Vernal Fall

At the beginning of Mist Trail, I felt the waterfall mist, but it was eventually like the waterfall shower when the trail was close to the Vernal Fall.

We enjoyed watching beautiful rainbows.

Finally, we got a break from the mist. Then, we started climbing up stairs again. It's rocky and narrow stairs, and the trail was very crowded.

It was very narrow and was hard to pass each other.

Top of Vernal Fall

The Top of The Vernal Fall

We finally got to the edge of the Vernal Fall. Many people were taking a break there, and they seemed like trying to dry their wet clothing in the sun.

At the edge of the Vernal Fall, we were able to look down the Mist Trail, which many people were climbing on.

Then, we headed toward Clark Point.

It's rocky trail, and my trekking poles made this trail a little easier for me.

After a while, we were able to see Vernal Fall and rainbows from above. We also could see many people at the edge of the Vernal Fall. "We were also there a while ago!"

Clark Point

We finally got to the Clark Point. Because some trails were closed that day, we gave up going to Nevada Fall. We walked down the hill on John Muir Trail.

Walking down the hill was also challenging. The trail was pretty slippery. Indeed, I also slipped once. I also saw that a woman slipped and fell, and she couldn't move for a while. She seemed like she had sprained ankle, and her family members were helping her.

After walking down to the trailhead, we took a break and decided to go to Mirror Lake. I'll write about it next time.

On your way back to the parking lot, you can use a free shuttle bus. It's less crowded than morning, but you should expect that you might not be able to have a seat. You can get on the bus at the Shuttle Stop #16.

We really enjoyed hiking to Vernal Fall via Mist Trail. It was the best waterfall hike I've ever tried! If I chance to visit Yosemite National Park next time, I would like to see Nevada Fall.