The Mist Trail window.onload=new function(){wgUserName='';sTrailName='The Mist Trail';bTrailFinished='';} [?]

The Mist Trail
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Difficulty	Moderate/Strenuous
Distance	6 miles (9.7 kilometers)
Time Required	2-5 hours
Trail Use
Trail Type	There-And-Back
Elevation Gain	2000 feet (610 meters)
High Point	6000 feet (1830 meters)
Low Point	4000 feet (1220 meters)
Best Months	Year Round
Nearest City	Mariposa, CA

Overview

A quintessential Yosemite National Park hike that takes you past 2 spectacular waterfalls (Vernal and Nevada), a view of the back of Half Dome, and several other fabulous views. The trail is most popular (deservedly-so) during spring time when water levels are at their highest, but expect to get wet when hiking during this time.

Directions To Trailhead

The trailhead starts east of Curry Village in Yosemite Valley (take CA-140 into Yosemite National Park and continue into the valley). The nearest parking lot is at the trailhead, although this often fills up quickly - you can try to find parking at Curry Village or park anywhere else in the valley and simply take one of the free shuttle buses to Happy Isles (shuttle stop #16)

Trail Description

From the Happy Isles trailhead cross the old stone bridge and go onto the paved road to the right that begins the trail.

Stone bridge at the trailhead

The trail crisscrosses with the John Muir Trail but signs are clearly marked and you shouldn't have trouble staying on the correct path.

Following the river you will see some beautiful views and eventually reach a bridge with a view of Vernal Falls in the distance, about 0.75 miles from the trailhead. There are some bathrooms and a water fountain here for a recharge. Continuing up the dirt path another 0.5 mile and a half along the river will bring you to Vernal Falls proper, where the path is cut out of the stone and, during the spring, you will get wet.

At the top of Vernal Falls the crowds thin out considerably and The John Muir Trail crosses back onto The Mist Trail. You can continue to Nevada Falls, another striking waterfall, and then turn back. Above Nevada Falls is the Little Yosemite Valley campground, a popular jumping off point for Half Dome. You should also be able to see the back of Half Dome from the end of The Mist Trail, as well as Liberty Cap.

Conditions And Hazards

During the spring, the most obvious "hazard" is all the spray from the waterfalls, especially Vernal Falls. Because you will be hiking right next to the falls, you will get very wet (perhaps even drenched wet); consider bringing a poncho if this might bother you (on warm days it can actually be quite pleasant).

Because of all of the spray, the stone steps near Vernal Falls can get slippery so tread lightly.

Stone steps leading up to Vernal Falls

This trail is closed in the winter due to the risk of falling ice and rock.

Fees, Permits, And Restrictions

The standard Yosemite National Park entrance fee of $20.

Amenities

You can get snacks and food at nearby Curry Village about a mile and a half west of the trailhead.

Miscellaneous

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Photo Gallery

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Map

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Trailhead (37.737086, -119.558876) Point Of Interest (37.738603, -119.569756) : Nearest Parking Lot Point Of Interest (37.72713, -119.54366) : Vernal Falls Point Of Interest (37.725246, -119.53306) : Nevada Falls Trail End (37.725407, -119.532266) : Good turn around point

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