Hiking The Mist Trail (Vernal & Nevada Falls) Yosemite National Park

The mist trail is one of the “must do” trails in Yosemite National Park. It takes hikers to Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls, and is the starting point for hikers heading up Half Dome as well. The trail features incredible views, and allows hikers to do a long day of hiking, or turn around where they would like along the way up the canyon. In this article, we’ll cover everything you should know.

 

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Difficulty – Intermediate
Distance – 2.4 miles (3.9 km) round trip to Vernal Falls, 5.8 miles (8.7 km) round trip to Nevada Falls, add 1.5 miles round trip if hiking from Curry Village
Height – 5,909 feet (1801.06 m)
Elevation gain –1,000 feet (300 meters) to the top of Vernal Fall; 2,000 feet (610 meters) to the top of Nevada Fall
Duration – 4-6 hours round trip to Nevada Fall (book time)
Hike Class: Class 2
Trailhead Location – Mist Trailhead (4,059 feet (1237 meters)
Dogs – Not allowed

 

Need To Know Information

• A permit is required to enter Yosemite at many parts of the year: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/permitsandreservations.htmhttps://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recarea/?recid=8080
• Additional permits are not required to hike this trail unless hikers are spending the night at tent sites above, or are hiking to half dome.
• You can hike to both waterfalls year round, but there are trail closures to take into account. Read the status of the trails and the routes needed to take here: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/vernalnevadatrail.htm

Trail Map

Download GPX Here

 

Routes

The Mist Trail is the recommended and most common starting point for these waterfalls. Hikers will see on the trail map that the John Muir Trail also connects with these falls. Our recommendation is to make a bit of a loop if possible as this gives hikers a unique view of the falls that is worth the increased mileage and distance.

 

Mist Trail – 5.8 Mile Round Trip

Because these trails are so well traveled, they are well marked, and easy to follow. There are views at many different points of the hike of the waterfalls as you approach them. The Mist Trail also gets its name because you will end up getting in the mist of these waterfalls. That means hikers will get wet, and hikers will encounter wet and slippery trails.

The hike quickly starts gaining vertical on paved trail for the first mile. It is scenic at just about every moment. About a mile in, hikers will be hitting the portion of trail that diverges to the John Muir Trail, and the mist trail continues up over 600 misty steps with incredible views.

Hikers continue to above the falls where they can continue on to Emerald Pool, Silver Apron, and Vernal falls, or they can loop back down the John Muir Trail.

The trail continues upward towards Vernal Valls. The views are stunning at every moment. Hikers can then hike above Vernal falls and have the option once again to return the way they came, continue on (not usual), or to loop back down the John Muir Trail for unique views that are completely worth it.

 

Mist Trail & John Muir Trail Loop Around Nevada Falls – 8 Mile Loop

This is our most recommended loop, and will be an 8 mile and just over 2,000 feet of elevation gain loop.

 

Hiking in Winter

Refer to trail closures and winter hiking info here.

 

Camping Information

Nearby lodging and campground information can be found here.

And getting backcountry/wilderness camping permit info can be found here.

 

Weather

Here is a detailed weather forecast for the area:

Yosemite Valley, CA

Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 19. Wind chill values as low as 12. East southeast wind around 5 mph.

Friday
Sunny. High near 38, with temperatures falling to around 36 in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as 13. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 25. Wind chill values as low as 21. East southeast wind 0 to 5 mph.

Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. Wind chill values as low as 21. South southeast wind around 5 mph.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 27. South southwest wind around 5 mph.

Sunday
A chance of snow after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. South southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday Night
A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.

 

Directions

Directions to Mist Trail Trailhead:

 

Additional Pictures