Mist Trail
Yosemite National Park
| Address: | Mist Trail, California 95389, USA |
| GPS: |
37°43'58.3"N 119°33'27.9"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | California |
| Trails/Routes: | 1.9-2.9 mi |
Rivers Waterfalls Streams Trails Rocks National Park
Backpack and Hike
The mist trail is a small breakoff from the John Muir Trail through Yosemite National Park. It's called the mist trail because of the heavy amount of mist that hikers walk through as Vernal and Nevada Falls crash hundreds of feet below. The hike is short as for horizontal distance traveled but the incline will give you a run for your money. You'll ascend 639 stone stairs to reach the top of Vernal Falls. There's a waterfall in between the two that is a sight all it's own but is often forgotten because of the behemoths on either side. The hike between the falls is a nice break as it is fairly flat relative to the rest of the trail. Once you get to the base of Nevada Falls, you'll have to take switchbacks up the giant cliffs to the top.
These waterfalls are usually the last to dry up around Yellowstone Village. Whether you just love waterfalls or you want a closer view of Halfdome, Whitecap, or Mt. Broderick, the Mist Trail definitely offers world class views. There are bathroom facilities just above Vernal Falls and water just before you start to ascend the stairs. There's another trail that is less steep but that skips Vernal Falls.
Distances (one-way):
| Hike | Distance | Elevation Gain |
|---|---|---|
| Vernal Fall Bridge | 0.8 miles | 400 ft |
| Top of Vernal Falls | 1.5 miles | 1100 ft |
| Top of Nevada Falls | 3.4 miles | 2230 ft |
Mapped Route/Trail Distances
| Trailhead to Vernal Falls (one-way) | 2.9 miles Round Trip |
| Vernal Falls to Nevada Falls (one-way) | 1.9 miles Round Trip |
More Information
Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Yosemite National Park
- Head northeast on El Portal RdToll road(5.5 mi)
- El Portal Rd turns slightly right and becomes Southside DrPartial toll road(6.1 mi)
- Continue straight onto Happy Isle Loop RdToll road(0.4 mi)
- Turn left to stay on Happy Isle Loop RdToll road(0.1 mi)
- Turn rightToll roadRestricted usage road(0.5 mi)
From halfdome village, you can take a bus right to the trailhead.
Trails
Distance ?
2.9 miles Round TripElevation Gain ?
945 feetReal Ascent ?
1,185 feetReal Descent ?
240 feetAvg Grade (7°)
13%Grade (-36° to 54°)
-74% to 140%Distance ?
1.9 miles Round TripElevation Gain ?
1,003 feetReal Ascent ?
1,097 feetReal Descent ?
94 feetAvg Grade (12°)
21%Grade (-22° to 39°)
-40% to 82%Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.
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