Vernal and Nevada Falls

Get in shape now so that you can tackle the Vernal and Nevada Falls hike at Yosemite National Park. I promise you will not regret the exercise or the challenge of the trail! Take the Mist Trail to view these two waterfalls and immerse yourself in the park. Think soaring granite cliffs, a fast flowing river, thundering waterfalls, towering trees, and lots of stairs. Many, many stairs. 600 plus stairs, but who is counting?! You will arrive first at Vernal Falls. The sound is powerful and the view is spectacular. Luckily, any spot you need to rest while tackling the stairs will be an excellent opportunity for photographs. The stairs lead along the waterfall and bring you to the top, where you watch the water plunge over the edge. Continuing on through the forest and climbing even higher, you will eventually be treated to Nevada Falls, just as beautiful in its own way. The highlight is being able to look right over the edge of the falls and appreciate the height the water is plummeting to the bottom, where it will then eventually turn into Vernal Falls. There are numerous places along the way to sit in the sun on the granite and enjoy the sights and sounds, and rest as needed. It is mostly uphill the entire way up, but then gravity helps with the downhill as you head back. Finishing this trail felt like a true accomplishment and was a highlight of the park.

Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous based on elevation gain and stair ascent and descent.

Trail Stats: We completed the trail out and back via Mist, going to the top of Nevada Falls and coming back down the way we came. You can make this trail a balloon loop. The route we took was 7.1 miles, 2,320 feet of elevation gain. 

 Be aware that there are trail closures along the Mist and John Muir trails at certain times of the year. Please check the National Park Service website before you go so you do not have any surprises. 

Trail Finding: Not difficult.

Conditions: Packed dirt, short spans of pavement in the beginning, uneven stairs. We found our trekking poles helpful for the steeper sections and the stairs.  

Would I Repeat This: For sure

Parking: Not as much as you would think. You will need to park at one of the lots within the park and take the shuttle system to the Happy Isles stop (#16).

Timing: Could likely complete any time of day. We did this trail at the end of November. Based upon exertion, we were sufficiently warm pretty quickly into the hike. Flow of the waterfalls is variable. In November, the falls seemed to be flowing quite a bit. I can only imagine what they look like in the spring and early summer when snow melt is high!

Downloaded Map: Not necessary. I enjoyed having the downloaded map to see elevation gain and ‘how much longer’ it was to either of the waterfalls.

Fees: This hike is within Yosemite National Park. You will need to pay the entrance fee or present your National Parks Pass. Be aware that some times of year will require a reservation to enter the park. 

Trails: Mirror Lake, Grizzly Giant, Mariposa Grove, Lower Yosemite Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and many ‘stop and check it out’ points of interest.