Mist Trail to Nevada Fall, Yosemite National Park (2012)

Vernal Fall, Spring 2012

After I wrote a couple articles about the Mist Trail last year (http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventurers-fieldnotes/2011/12/15/mist-trail-to-nevada-fall.html, http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventurers-fieldnotes/2011/12/14/the-mist-trail-to-vernal-falls-summer.html), I received a number of e-mails wondering when the best time was to hike the Mist Trail. In all honesty, I’d say now what I said then – anytime is the best time to hike the Mist Trail to either Vernal or Nevada Fall. However, for 2012, if you are looking to experience “the mist” and want to get wet, now would be the best time to hike the Mist Trail.

The reason right now is the best time to do this hike is simple: the snowpack is already melting. As I’ve said on many occasions this year, 2012 was a bad year for the Sierra snowpack as California has had a warm winter. At this point, from about two weeks ago until mid-summer, what snow was present at the higher elevations will be melting – and at times, melting rapidly. This means that this year, from mid-to late summer, the rivers and seasonal flows will be running at a low level, or not at all. When rivers and other seasonal flows are at a low level, what waterfalls that exist flow at a low level, or not at all.

Mist Trail, Spring 2012

So, if you want to get wet, now, is the time to go for 2012, before all of the snowpack melts. When I was recently in Yosemite, I hiked the Mist Trail up to a tenth of a mile under Nevada Falls. I would have gone all the way up to Nevada Falls and come back down the John Muir Trail, but earlier in the day I had been hiking in another area of the park, and at that point, was perfectly content to take it a little easy.

From what I saw on my hike, the trail is in good to excellent condition, with few dead trees and branches on the trail to Nevada Fall. No snow remains on any section of the trail to Nevada Fall, and from my observations of that area as well as other areas of the park, the snowline is running at ~8500 feet or higher, depending on the sun exposure of the area. As conditions are warm, and only going to get warmer, it’s a great time to get out and do this hike!

Directions: As noted in previous articles, you’re going to either want to take the Yosemite Park Bus to Happy Isles, where the trailhead for the Mist Trail is, or you’re going to want to bike or walk there. Further directions on distances and everything else can be found here: http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventurers-fieldnotes/2011/12/15/mist-trail-to-nevada-fall.html, http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventurers-fieldnotes/2011/12/14/the-mist-trail-to-vernal-falls-summer.html .

More Tips: Another good reason to hike this trail this time of year is the opportunity to see wildlife – on my recent hike, I saw a number of animals that will likely not be present during the busy summer season. As for traffic on the trail: it was busy, but it will only be getting busier as the season progresses, so get out there to avoid the rush while you can!

Nevada Fall, Spring 2012

Angel's Landing, Zion National Park

View of Angel's Landing from the trailhead

As I’ve mentioned before, every National Park has its own signature hike or moment. For Yosemite, it’s the Mist Trail (http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventurers-fieldnotes/2011/12/14/the-mist-trail-to-vernal-falls-summer.html); for Death Valley, it’s Golden Canyon (http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventurers-fieldnotes/2012/3/6/golden-canyon-to-red-cathedral-death-valley-national-park.html); for Mojave National Preserve, it’s the Ring Loop Trail (http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventurers-fieldnotes/2012/1/10/ring-loop-trail-mojave-national-preserve.html); for the Grand Canyon, it’s the South Kaibab or Bright Angel Trails (http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventurers-fieldnotes/2007/6/15/bright-angel-trailsouth-kaibab-trails-grand-canyon-national.html?SSScrollPosition=0); and for Zion National Park, the signature hike is Angel’s Landing. If that didn’t get your attention, this will: in my opinion, Angel’s Landing is not just a signature hike just for Zion, but a signature hike for all of Utah; and is definitely one of the top hikes in the United States.

First mile of West Rim Trail to Refrigerator Canyon

Now, having placed my reputation again on the line regarding this hike, let me give you the disclaimers! First, like any signature or “must-do” hike, Angel’s Landing is not a hike where you will find absolute solitude: there is a 95% chance that there will be other people on the trail with you. Does that mean you shouldn’t hike Angel’s Landing? Of course not! And, if you time it right, and there aren’t other people on the trail with you, you can feel very lucky.

Second, and most importantly, unlike Golden Canyon, the Rings Trail, or the Mist Trail, Angel’s Landing is not a hike for beginners. Nor is it a hike for anyone with a fear of heights. The reason it is not hike for these classes of people is simple: the final stretch to the summit is up a very, very steep section of trail with long drop-offs on either side. While the National Park Service has installed cables that are secured to the rock face of the mountain, there is limited space to stand, and due to the popular nature of the hike, it is likely that people will be ascending next to you, or attempting to descend down the same route you are attempting to ascend. It is one of the worst places for a panic attack, which is why I caution any prospective hiker from attempting this trail should they have a fear of heights, or limited to no experience in ascending or descending steep mountain terrain. It is a great hike, and it is safe, so if you are looking for a challenging trek and great views, this is the hike for you.

Refrigerator Canyon

Directions: Zion Canyon is only accessible by foot, bike, or the National Park Service bus service that runs the length of the canyon. Unless you are looking for a real challenge, I suggest that you take the NPS bus to the Grotto bus stop. From the bus stop, the trailhead for Angel’s Landing, the West Rim Trail, is located across the road. The trail first crosses over the Virgin River, providing you with a great view of the peak. From that point, the trail heads up a series of meandering switchbacks toward Refrigerator Canyon. This first mile of trail is paved, and provides great views of the Virgin River, Zion Canyon, and from the turn into Refrigerator Canyon, great views of the trail itself. While this first mile of trail is steep in places, it also serves as an area where many of your fellow hikers will decide how far they are traveling. This section of trail is somewhat exposed to the sun, and on a hot summer’s day, many hikers will get tired and turn back either before or at the beginning of Refrigerator Canyon.

 Base of Walter's Wiggles

After the first mile, you will enter Refrigerator Canyon. Why is this section of the hike called Refrigerator Canyon? High, sloping red rock walls shade the canyon continually, leaving the ambient temperature five to twenty degrees cooler than being in the direct sun. I personally love this portion of the hike, and always take time to listen to the rustling leaves of the trees present, or the babbling seasonal runoff that is present in early spring. Continue to follow the trail through the canyon to its second most infamous section, Walter’s Wiggles. It’s a testament to the extreme drop-offs present at the cables that this feat of trail engineering is the second most infamous section. The twenty-one switchbacks of the Wiggles provide great views of Refrigerator Canyon below, and great views of the surrounding red rock walls. Once you reach the top of the Wiggles, you will be at Scout’s Lookout, which has two things: bathrooms (but no water), and a fantastic view of the direct final climb up to Angel’s Landing. At this point, you will have ascended two (2) miles, and will have only a half mile (.5) left to reach the summit. However, as you will see from Scout’s Lookout, this half mile is almost straight up over a section of exposed rock on the spine of the mountain. I personally like to call Scout’s Lookout, “Should-I-Stay-or-Should-I-go” point, because it is precisely at this point a majority of hikers are deciding exactly that question.

 View of the spine of Angel's Landing from Scout's Lookout

The last section of trail heading up to the summit is very, very, very, very steep. I am not trying to scare any potential hikers/climbers, but it is worth noting that people have indeed fallen to their death from this point. Only you and you alone can judge whether you have the physical – and mental fortitude to proceed up the trail from Scout’s Lookout; but should you elect to proceed, you will be rewarded with a feeling of accomplishment and a great view. As noted above, NPS has made this section as safe as they can with cables affixed to the mountain, but there are steep drop-offs on either side of the spine for this section of trail. Watch your footing; watch where you are placing your weight; hands; and watch your balance. Once you have traversed the cables, you will find yourself a short walk from the summit, where you can admire the view of Zion Canyon and the Virgin River before traversing the cables back down to the trail and to the Grotto bus stop. The total distance of this hike is 5.4 miles roundtrip, and you will gain 1,488 feet in elevation.

 View from the summit of Angel's Landing

Tips: Did I mention this trail is steep and not for the faint hearted? It is. In the summer, Zion can become very hot, so be sure to take plenty of water for the ascent, as a majority of it is quite exposed. As noted above, take proper precautions when traversing the cables; the area can become quite congested with ascending and descending hikers. Also, be sure to allot enough time on the summit blocks to relax, enjoy the view, and eat lunch, dinner, breakfast, or whatever snack you have brought with you. Do also note that the summit is home to numerous chipmunks and ground squirrels that would love nothing more than to share your food with you and are quite friendly. Do not be overly startled by their inquisitive presence, especially near the edges of the summit!

More Information:http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&PageID=533013, http://www.nps.gov/featurecontent/zion/eHike.htm, http://www.citrusmilo.com/zionguide/angelslanding.cfm, http://www.naturalbornhikers.com/AngelsLanding/angelslanding.htm, http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5538034

Happy Isles Trail Junction to Cloud’s Rest

Switchbacks up the side of Nevada Fall

The great thing about Happy Isles (seriously) is that it is the jumping off point not just for day hikes, but for many multi-day trips into the backcountry from Yosemite Valley. Over ninety-five percent of Yosemite is designated as wilderness, meaning that there are few roads other than trails, and that one must hike to get to these pristine locations. If the Mist Trail is the most popular day hike from Happy Isles, the most popular long distance/multi-day hike is Half Dome. In my opinion, Half Dome is just a day hike (18 miles roundtrip), but it is also a popular overnight destination, with many people electing to climb into Little Yosemite Valley to spend the night before rising early to summit the next day. Half Dome is so popular that at this point, both day use and overnight visitors are required to get permits.  

Like Yosemite, there isn’t much I can say about Half Dome that hasn’t been said. It has obtained a mythic place in hiking lore, and many people want to try their luck at a summit bid, assuming they get a permit. For me personally, Half Dome is just alright. I felt safer climbing the Snake Dike route with ropes to the summit rather than ascending the cables over slick granite with no protection, surrounded by hordes of tired and untrained people.( http://www.supertopo.com/rock-climbing/Yosemite-Valley-Half-Dome-Snake-Dike) Then again, going up the cables on Half Dome is a bit of a thrill that if you’re wilderness oriented, probably should be experienced at least once in a lifetime. At some point, I’ll talk more about summiting Half Dome, but for now, know that you need a permit, and that it is a bit of a long day. For my money, however, there’s a better hike from Happy Isles that takes you to a higher mountain with less people, and that is the hike to Cloud’s Rest.

Merced River, a good place to fill up those bottles (after treating the water, of course!)

Cloud’s Rest is the highest peak in the Tenaya Canyon region of the park at 9,926 feet, and in my opinion, has one of the best views in the park, along with Sentinel Dome, Mt. Hoffman, and Mt. Dana. From the summit, you have a sheer drop-off view of Tenaya Canyon beneath you, a small Half Dome (1,100 feet shorter, at 8,836 feet), and the high country of the park to the North, East, and South. If those credentials weren’t good enough, every time I’ve been at the top, I’ve seen next to no people, and it’s a great place to camp and stargaze. Then again, if you want to sulk about not getting your Half Dome or overnight Little Yosemite Valley permit and stay home, I’m not going to complain about having a beautiful area to all to myself.

It’s worth noting that if you don’t want to climb the nearly 6,000 vertical feet from Yosemite Valley to Cloud’s Rest, you can head toward the peak from a number of trails leaving the Tioga Pass Road. While I am used to doing this hike as a minimum two-day backpack based on my experience, I’m not going to rule out certain motivated individuals doing it in a day – after all, it is only twenty-two miles roundtrip, and I, along with many people have done that distance to summit Mt. Whitney in a day, which is four thousand feet higher. If you’ve got the skill, endurance, and want a challenge (as this would be a strenuous day), I say go for it. If not, get a backcountry permit, and take your time to enjoy the backcountry. This would be a great two-day introductory backpack that would allow you also to bag a fairly tall peak, so there’s yet another bonus for heading up to Cloud’s Rest.

Directions: Head over to Happy Isles (Shuttle Stop #16). From there, follow either the Mist Trail as detailed here (http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventurers-fieldnotes/2011/12/12/the-mist-trail-to-vernal-falls-winter.html) to Vernal Falls, and then to Nevada Falls, or take the John Muir Trail junction to Nevada Falls, as detailed here (). Either way, you will be ready for your first break once you reach the top of Nevada Falls, having climbed 2,900 vertical feet from Yosemite Valley in three miles. I’d recommend that you take a minute, eat some high calorie food, enjoy the view, and wipe the sweat off your brow before heading onward, into Little Yosemite Valley.

Atop the switchbacks, .75 miles out from the peak.

Once your break is over, you will head Northeast into Little Yosemite Valley. This mile long section of the trail is a great spot to regain your pace, and catch your second wind of the day before you once again start heading uphill. You will be passing the Merced for most of this section, and this is important to note, because it is a great spot to refill your water bottles. From mid-summer to early winter, this may be the last best source of water for the next day for you, as there are no large bodies of water present on the trail after Little Yosemite Valley. Unless there is snow on the trail that you can melt; or you have confirmed that there is still seasonal runoff that you can filter, I would highly recommend you drink up and fill up all of your bottles before proceeding any further, otherwise you may be spending a very thirsty night on the mountain.

Since this hike takes two days, I’ll continue tomorrow with my directions! Until then, see you on the trail!

Mist Trail to Nevada Fall

Nevada Fall

One and one half miles of uphill ascent not enough of a workout for you? Looking to see more than one waterfall flowing from the power of the Merced River? Well, you’re in luck. There’s another waterfall directly above Vernal Falls, and it’s just as beautiful – if not more so than the first. How do you get there? Glad you asked.

Directions: Follow the Directions here: (http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventurers-fieldnotes/2011/12/12/the-mist-trail-to-vernal-falls-winter.html) to the first bridge crossing before Vernal Fall. After this point, you have two choices on how exactly, you want to get to Nevada Fall.

The first way is up the Mist Trail, as described in the above link and the previous series of postings. Once you reach the top of Vernal Falls, the trail follows the Merced River back into the trees (roughly East) for half a mile (.50). At this point, the Emerald Pool will be directly to your North (left, if you are coming up from Vernal Falls). The Emerald Pool is a slow area of the Merced River flowing down to Vernal Falls (sometimes not, depending on how fast the current is moving and how high the River is – just the conditions accordingly should you decide to enter).

To your right (South) there will be trail junction that will take you up to the John Muir Trail (JMT) in .40 miles past Clark Point. Continue straight across the Merced, and you will find yourself heading uphill through a series of forested switchbacks at the base of Nevada Fall. After approximately .50 miles, you will be on a series of graded switchbacks on the North side of Nevada Fall and directly under Liberty Cap. For my money, this is a great view of Nevada Fall, and is equally – if not more stunning than the Mist Trail. At the top of the switchbacks, you can either proceed left (North) into Little Yosemite Valley, or to the Right (South) toward the area around the fall (approximately .10 miles). This last portion of the ascent is steep, and I guarantee you will be working up a sweat if you are carrying a multi-day bag. From the Emerald Pools, it is 1.05 miles to the top, and 1.15 miles to the actual fall, leaving you with 1.65 miles of distance one way from Vernal Falls to the top of Nevada Fall.

Nevada Fall

The area around the fall is solid granite, only interrupted by the Merced River, which has eroded a deep furrow in the rock over thousands of years. To cross the Merced, you have to utilize the NPS bridge, but you can walk down the granite slopes to overlook the fall cascading down into the valley you just ascended. Once you are done, you can return the way you came, or you can return back down the JMT as described in the following paragraph in a loop. From the top of the switchbacks, it is .40 miles to the JMT/Pohono Trail Junction, which will lead you back down toward the Valley.

The second way you can reach Nevada Fall is to turn off on the JMT after crossing the first bridge. The junction is approximately .10 miles to the right (South) as you are approaching the Mist Trail. The JMT runs from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney, and it takes backpackers approximately one month or longer to travel the distance as it heads South through the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. The first section of this challenging trail winds up a moderately graded series of forested switchbacks for .32 miles. If you are backpacking out of Yosemite Valley, you may want to consider this route as it is usually cooler and shadier than the busy Mist Trail. Once you have traversed the switchbacks, you will be up above the treeline, and on the edge of a stunning cliff that looks down upon the Merced, and waterfalls below. (In late spring or early winter, this section should be traversed with caution, as ice can build up along the area, and it would not be a good place to slip!) From this point, it is a gradual uphill climb for a mile (1.0) to the JMT/Pohono junction, and Nevada Fall described above. 

Both routes have great views; and it is hard to go wrong by heading either way. Personally, I’d recommend doing the whole route – Mist Trail to Vernal Fall, past the Emerald Pool, up to Nevada Fall, and returning to the valley by the JMT as a loop, but it will take you some time, as you will be gaining 2,900 feet of elevation from the valley floor to the top of Nevada Falls. Also, bear in mind that you will be hiking seven miles roundtrip should you head all the way up to Nevada Falls, plus any additional distance that you may tack on should you not ride the Yosemite Valley bus.

 Top of Nevada Falls, Merced River flowing into Yosemite Valley

Despite the distance, this is a great loop hike from the Valley, and a great way to see a lot of the scenery of the area. Once you pass Vernal Falls, the crowds dissipate somewhat in the summer, although both locations remain very popular.

See you on the trail!

More Information Here:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/valleyhikes.htm, http://www.yosemitehikes.com/yosemite-valley/mist-trail/mist-trail.htm, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevada_Fall

The Mist Trail to Vernal Falls (Summer)

The start of the "Mist Trail" proper

So, you’ve been warned. Not just by me, but by every guide book, blog, friends, and family. You’ve heard the horror stories. You’ve listened to the not-so-dire-warnings. For whatever reason, you really, really want to do the Mist Trail in the summer. I could tell you tales that would curdle your blood, that a majority of park service rescues occur on the Mist Trail in the summertime, or that the majority of deaths that occur in the park occur on this section of the trail (mostly from people falling over the falls), or that hungry bears regularly carry off unsuspecting tourists from the trail and eat them to fatten up for the winter, and you’d still want to do the Mist Trail in the summer. 

And you know what? I’m not going to tell you not to. There’s plenty of reasons why you want to do it in the summer. First, the best time to see the fall is right after the snow melts, when it seems like there is more water in the Merced River than it can possibly accommodate. Second, summertime is vacation time, and any time you’re on vacation, it’s the time to have an adventure, regardless of whole else is there. Third, like it or not, Happy Isles/the Mist Trail/the beginning of the John Muir Trail is the gateway to many backpacking and multi-day adventures. And fourth, why the heck not – it’s there!

Directions: Same as the last two posts. (http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventurers-fieldnotes/2011/12/12/the-mist-trail-to-vernal-falls-winter.html)

 Vernal Falls, 2002

Tips: The best tip I can give you is to get an early start. Even then, you won’t beat the crowds. You will, however, beat the hordes. If you are heading up the trail around 10:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m., expect to be backpack-to-backpack the whole way with other people. The other reason to get a good start: you will avoid being caught out in a late-afternoon thunderstorm.

The next best tip I can give you is to wear solid shoes. Yes, the stairs of the Mist Trail can be traversed in bare feet, thong sandals, Chaco’s, tevas, high heels, and completely destroyed sneakers. But, just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you have to. In the summertime, the trail is completely covered with water, which makes the granite slick, and your footing uncertain. In many spots, should you slip, you will experience a near fatal to fatal fall, even though the terrain is not that daunting. I say: why risk it? Wear something you’ll be comfortable in, and something that you can trust. Furthermore, as the trail is crowded, you will be forced into weird positions as people run past you, or descend in front of you. You’re better off with something that will keep your footing secure, and your feet happy.

Additionally, if you want to be happy, insulate your gear properly whether you’re backpacking or daypacking. The last thing you want is a completely ruined camera or cell phone, or a completely soaked sleeping bag on the first night of your trip. Along with insulating your gear, bring a good coat should you not want to be completely soaked on the ascent and descent. Then again, if it’s a blazing hot day, don’t bring a coat, it’ll feel great to be naturally cooled!

Vernal Falls, 2007 

As my final tip, I will say this: watch out for rodents. Squirrels, chipmunks, and other small woodland creatures know the Mist Trail almost as well as people do. Should you leave your bag unattended at the top of the falls, or at certain other spots on the trail, you will likely find that you have picked up a furry hitchhiker, who will either jump out of your bag, giving you heart palpitations, poo in your bag (nasty), or chew their way out of your bag. Avoid this problem by watching your surroundings, and not feeding the animals.

Things Not To Do: There’s probably plenty, but I’ll stick to the one that is guaranteed to end your life. At the top of Vernal Falls, there is a fence that is at the end of the granite and anywhere between no inches and two feet from the top of the waterfall, depending on the water flow. The fence extends back up the river a fair ways, and then stops. Do not, under any circumstances climb over the fence. Let me make this even more clear: do not climb over this fence if you want to live. This isn’t just me telling you this – there are NPS signs all over the fence warning you. This isn’t just NPS telling you this either, this is your common sense speaking. When you are at the top of the falls, you can see for yourself: this is a several hundred foot drop. The waterfall is right there. The river is flowing rapidly. Should you step over that fence, you know that you will likely be dead. It is not worth the risk in any way. I don’t care how hot it is, how much fun it looks, how daring you are, how lucky you are, how funny it is, it’s just not worth it. I used to warn/lecture people when I worked there, and I still do (in an unofficial capacity now, kind of lame, I know). Don’t take it from me though: there’s plenty of stories this year about people who didn’t make it: (http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/05/us/california-yosemite-body-recovered/index.html?hpt=hp_t3). So, out of all the things you should not do: don’t do that.

 Vernal Falls Single Rainbow

Other than that lecture, have a great time, and see you on the trail!

The Mist Trail to Vernal Falls (Staying Dry)

Vernal Falls, 2009

In my previous post (http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventurers-fieldnotes/2011/12/12/the-mist-trail-to-vernal-falls-winter.html), I might have mentioned that should you elect to head up the last .5 miles on the Mist Trail, you will get wet. I did, however, leave myself a slight out by saying that should you manage to time it right, you can walk aside the falls and still stay dry. Should you head up the trail in late fall, shortly before the first snows of the year, you will likely find it like I did in 2009 when I shot these pictures.

Vernal Falls, 2009 

Note the discrepancy between the water (and snow/ice) levels in these shots from the pictures taken in the previous post – these photos were taken almost exactly a year apart from 2009 to 2010, give or take a couple days. If it’s a late winter, you probably can expect to have conditions like this on the trail into mid-to-late November, but if it’s an early winter, you can expect conditions like the 2010 shots before. It should go without saying, but keep an eye on the conditions prior to your trip, because you never know what you will occur weather wise in the mountains.

In my experience, you can also find the falls at low flow like this at times in winter, when they are iced over, and sometimes in early spring before the snowpack up in the Sierras begins to melt. But, if you want to stay dry without risking ice and or snow, late fall is your best bet, and also a great time to do the hike, as the trees will be changing colors and losing their leaves.

Directions: Same as the post before. (http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventurers-fieldnotes/2011/12/12/the-mist-trail-to-vernal-falls-winter.html)

See you on the trail! 

The Mist Trail to Vernal Falls (Winter)

Looking towards Illouette, Mist Trail 2010

There is one trailhead, and one trailhead only in Yosemite. At least, that is what you would think if you ever read anything about Yosemite, heard anything about Yosemite, or watched the hordes of people either walking or riding park shuttles to this spot. That spot, and that trailhead is, and can only be one place: Happy Isles. That is the trailhead that takes you to a number of stunning places, but most importantly, it takes you to the two most visited destinations in the park: the Mist Trail , and Half Dome. Astute readers of this blog will stop at this point and think, “Wait a minute. So-and-so said the Mist Trail was the best hike they’d ever been on. How can that be, if he just said that it’s one of the most visited trails in the park? Can that be right?”

To those astute readers, I have sad news. The Mist Trail is the most popular trail in the park, bar none.

On a hot summer day, the trail is always chock full of people just as Los Angeles freeways are always chock full of cars. I guarantee it. Even more damning (to some people), the trail is – wait for it – partially paved. Now, if these two things are deal breakers for you, read no further, but at least look at the pretty pictures I’ve attached, because the scenery is beautiful. For the rest of us, let me tell you this: yes, the Mist Trail is the most popular trail. Yes, you may be surrounded by people, and yes, that can be difficult at times. But the hike is still stunning. It is a chance to walk directly next to, and under Vernal Falls, alongside the Merced River, and to the top of the falls, where great views of Yosemite Valley, Liberty Cap, along with other portions of the park. It is the most popular trail, and hike: but it is that way for a reason. You should not not hike it just because it is popular, as this is one of those situations where the masses are right.

Snowmelt on the Mist Trail, 2010

Directions: Well, you’re going to leave from the Happy Isles trailhead. I believe I mentioned that somewhere, but in case I didn’t, you’re going to take the Happy Isles trailhead. You can either take the free park shuttle to that location (Stop Number 16), or you can potentially find parking at Curry Village, and walk from there (if you walk from Curry Village, add an extra .75 miles distance each way, for a roundtrip distance bonus of 1.5 miles). From the trailhead, follow the paved portion uphill (believe me, you will not get lost, as you will be around many people, and there are no turnouts) for .75 miles to the bridge crossing the Merced River. From the bridge, you can see Vernal Fall, and if you’re feeling it, this is a great place to stop and watch the Merced and the waterfall.

For the hiking purists, from this point, the trail is not paved. Once you are across the bridge, you will continue to follow the trail up, and you will pass the John Muir Trail (“JMT”) junction on your right (.2 miles from the bridge). Do not take the JMT unless you are going to Nevada Falls, or other destinations that are further away, such as Mt. Whitney. Once you pass the JMT junction, you will come upon a gate for the Mist Trail that is closed in winter. This is the actual portion of the Mist trail, and from this point, you will get wet.

Heading up the Mist Trail in 2010The last section of the trail traverses alongside the Merced River, and is right next to and under Vernal Falls. This section of trail is constantly deluged/soaked/drenched with water from the falls. Unless it is a drought year, or a part of the year where the falls are not raging, you, your gear, and everything on you, will get wet. Watch your step as you head up the 600 or so steps up the remaining .5 miles to the top of the waterfall. Once you are at the top, you will have a great view of the Merced from the edge of the waterfall. From there, you can either proceed up to Nevada Falls, and Little Yosemite Valley, or you can return back to Happy Isles the way you came.

My Tip: As this is the most popular hike in the park, and is beyond well known, I’d suggest that you do this hike during the off-season if you can. If you are in the park in late spring, fall, or early winter, you will find the trail mostly empty. Moreover, at these times, you will find that you enjoy this hike more than being stuck with hordes of people on the trail in the summer. In 2010, I hiked up the Mist Trail in late November, a week after a fresh snowfall, and had an amazing experience. As you can see from the absence of people in these photos, in those conditions, it did not look like the most popular trail in the park, but it did look like a winter wonderland.

Disclaimer: The National Park Service closes the last .5 miles of the Mist Trail in the dead of winter as it is a treacherous ascent with ice and snow. I would not recommend you proceed in these conditions as there is little to no room for error. However, if you feel like you are up to the task, bring the proper gear, know that you are on your own, and watch this video here: http://youtu.be/ybrDF3wCdMU

Vernal Fall, Winter 2010

Other Facts:  The hike is 3 miles roundtrip, plus or minus any distance you add from hiking from Curry Village or other destinations. You will gain 1,000 feet of elevation from the valley floor to the top of the falls, and you will likely have an excellent time! (http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/valleyhikes.htm)

See you on the trail!

 Hiking Superhighway? Not in winter!

More Information: http://www.yosemitehikes.com/yosemite-valley/mist-trail/mist-trail.htm,  http://timberlinetrails.net/YosemiteMistTrail.html, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Happy-Isles-topo-map.jpg, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mist_Trail