
Full Answer
How many miles is the Mist Trail in Utah?
The Mist Trail (Vernal and Nevada Falls) Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip to Vernal Fall, 7 miles (11 km) round trip to Nevada Fall. If you walk from Curry Village instead of catching a shuttle bus to the trailhead, add an extra 1.5 miles (2.4 km) round trip. Elevation at trailhead: 4,000 feet (1,200 meters)
What is the best time to hike the Mist Trail?
Because the Mist Trail is such a popular hike, time of day matters as well. If you're hiking it during peak season, and especially during a peak season weekend, you'll get the best experience starting early in the morning or later in the afternoon (in the latter case, be sure to pack a flashlight).
How long is the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls?
The Mist trail is 0.8 miles to the footbridge (so 1-1/2 miles round trip) OR, 1.2 miles approx to the top of Vernal Falls (2.4 miles round trip) . Good ops of Vernal Falls from the footbridge.
How to get to Nevada Fall Mist Trail?
Vernal Fall Mist Trail is closed in winter, but access is available via the John Muir Trail, which may be snowy. Hikers can reach the top of Nevada Fall by continuing 1.3 miles (2.1 km) along the Mist Trail (from Vernal Fall).

How long does it take to hike the Mist Trail?
3-6 hoursRating:Fairly strenuous to strenuous day hikeAccess:Happy Isles Trailhead (Shuttle Stop 16 along the Yosemite Valley shuttle system)Time Required:3-6 hoursLength:5.5 miles round trip up Mist Trail and back down John Muir Trail (1.4 miles to top of Vernal Fall, 1.2 miles more to top of Nevada Fall)3 more rows
How difficult is the Mist Trail?
Difficulty: Medium, but bordering strenuous if you go all the way to the top of Nevada Fall. The stretches beside Vernal and Nevada Falls are both quite steep - in fact, the last few hundred meters up the Vernal Falls trail are stairs cut into the cliffside.
How long is Mist Trail and John Muir Trail?
3.3 milesThe JMT is 4 miles one way compared with the Mist Trail, which is 3.3 miles one way.
How long is Mist Trail to Vernal Falls?
3 milesDistance: 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip to Vernal Fall, 7 miles (11 km) round trip to Nevada Fall.
Can kids do the Mist Trail?
The Mist Trail is a moderate hike doable with kids. We chose to make the steep 1.5 mile climb up to Vernal Fall with our kids ages 8, 11, 14, and 15. The first paved mile of the trail is the busiest and leads you to the Vernal Falls footbridge.
Is the Mist Trail one way?
Hike 1.2 miles (one-way) and 1,000 vertical feet on the Mist Trail to the top of Vernal Fall; going on to Nevada Fall adds 1.5 miles and 1,000 feet to your trip. Start early to avoid crowds. More importantly, watch your children closely since the path can get slippery when it is wet. And don't go near the water.
How many steps is the Mist Trail?
600 stepsTo proceed directly to the top of Vernal Fall, follow the Mist Trail 0.3 miles (0.5 km) up a steep granite stairway of over 600 steps. Prepare for slippery footing and a tremendous amount of waterfall spray in spring and early summer (hence the name for this trail!).
Do I need a permit to hike Mist Trail?
No permit is required to hike to the falls, but one is now required to hike to the top of Half Dome. Another great hike is to take a bus up to Glacier Point and hike Panorama Trail down to the Mist Trail. An entrance fee is charged to reach the trailhead in Yosemite National Park.
Where does the Mist Trail start?
The Mist Trail starts at Happy Isles Trailhead (YARTS Happy Isles shuttle stop #16, and within walking distance of Curry Village and the parking lot). The park recommends starting early to avoid the larger crowds.
Is Vernal Falls hike hard?
Check out this 4.0-mile out-and-back trail near Yosemite Valley, California. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 30 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.
Can you swim at Mist falls?
The river flows across various other small cascades and rapids, between which are deep, clear pools that look inviting but swimming is not advisable due to the fast current and cold water. The main falls are indeed misty, and support a large area of mosses and greenery for a few hundred yards downstream.
Where do you park to hike the Mist Trail?
Parking at the Mist Trail The nearest parking lot is the trailhead parking lot (right before the road closure) just east of Curry Village (Half Dome Village). If the parking lot is full, you can park on the side of the road. If you don't get a parking spot near the trailhead, take the shuttle to the trailhead.
How far is the Mist Trail?
The Mist Trail (Vernal and Nevada Falls) Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip to Vernal Fall, 7 miles (11 km) round trip to Nevada Fall. If you walk from Curry Village instead of catching a shuttle bus to the trailhead, add an extra 1.5 miles (2.4 km) round trip. Why Hike the Mist Trail?
Why do people hike the mist trail?
While many of Yosemite's trails are popular due to having a single spectacular destination, the Mist Trail has fabulous views scattered all along it, beginning at the bridge overlook, progressing to two unforget table waterfalls that fall a combined total of more than 900 feet (270 meters), and ending with perhaps the most striking of all: the view of Nevada Fall, Liberty Cap, and the back of Half Dome from the Muir Trail return segment.
Where to park in Yosemite Valley?
Parking: You can park just about anywhere in the eastern half of Yosemite Valley and catch a free shuttle bus to the trailhead near Happy Isles. The nearest parking, however, is at the trailhead parking lot, which is just east of Curry Village (Half Dome Village).
When is the best time to visit the Mist Trail?
Best Time to Visit: During peak runoff, which is generally from April into June, though after particularly snowy winters this can extend well into July. See the Should I Hike the Mist Trail Today? page for examples of how the falls look at various states of water flow and for information on current flow levels.
Is the trail to Vernal Falls steep?
The stretches beside Vernal and Nevada Falls are both quite steep - in fact, the last few hundred meters up the Vernal Falls trail are stair s cut into the cliffside. If you need a gentler workout, you can just proceed as far as the bridge looking upstream to Vernal Fall without exerting yourself quite so much.
Can you get covered with spray in Yosemite?
You can get covered-with-spray close to two of Yosemite's rock-star waterfalls, and the view looking back from the Muir Trail is just as remarkable as the trail up the falls. Crowd Factor: Heavy to the top of Vernal Fall, especially when the water is high.
Is it illegal to hike the Mist Trail?
Hazards: It's illegal to remove any natural objects from a national park, but everyone who hikes the aptly named Mist Trail in the early season is a scofflaw: it's impossible to hike to the top of Vernal Fall in the spring without taking a little piece of the fall with you. You will get wet.
How long does it take to hike Mist Trail?
You can also bypass the crowds hiking up the Mist Trail. In total, this hike is 7.3 miles round trip and takes between 5 and 6 hours.
How long is Mist Trail in Yosemite?
Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip to Vernal Fall, 7 miles (11 km) round trip to Nevada Fall.
Is the Mist Trail Hard?
Difficulty: Medium, but bordering strenuous if you go all the way to the top of Nevada Fall. The stretches beside Vernal and Nevada Falls are both quite steep – in fact, the last few hundred meters up the Vernal Falls trail are stairs cut into the cliffside.
Do you need a permit to hike the Mist Trail in Yosemite?
No permit is required to hike to the falls, but one is now required to hike to the top of Half Dome. Another great hike is to take a bus up to Glacier Point and hike Panorama Trail down to the Mist Trail. An entrance fee is charged to reach the trailhead in Yosemite National Park.
How long is the hike to lower Yosemite Falls?
Lower Yosemite Falls Trail is a 1.2 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Yosemite Valley, California that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and bird watching and is accessible year-round.
Has anyone died on Half Dome?
Half Dome in Yosemite National Park has seen at least 290 accidents and 13 deaths in the past 15 years, according to Business Insider.
Is driving to Yosemite dangerous?
Driving is dangerous: Yosemite, like anywhere, can be a dangerous place to drive, even in perfect conditions. Last month, a group of teenaged hikers was returning from Yosemite to Marin County after an excursion when their car left the road and crashed, killing one of them.
How long does it take to hike Mist Trail?
You can also bypass the crowds hiking up the Mist Trail. In total, this hike is 7.3 miles round trip and takes between 5 and 6 hours.
How many steps is the Mist Trail?
See the map, profile, and description below for more information. To proceed directly to the top of Vernal Fall, follow the Mist Trail 0.5 mile (0.8 km) up a steep granite stairway of over 600 steps.
Is the Mist Trail Hard?
Difficulty: Medium, but bordering strenuous if you go all the way to the top of Nevada Fall. The stretches beside Vernal and Nevada Falls are both quite steep – in fact, the last few hundred meters up the Vernal Falls trail are stairs cut into the cliffside.
Do you need a permit to hike the Mist Trail in Yosemite?
No permit is required to hike to the falls, but one is now required to hike to the top of Half Dome. Another great hike is to take a bus up to Glacier Point and hike Panorama Trail down to the Mist Trail. An entrance fee is charged to reach the trailhead in Yosemite National Park.
Has anyone died on Half Dome?
Half Dome in Yosemite National Park has seen at least 290 accidents and 13 deaths in the past 15 years, according to Business Insider.
How long is the hike to lower Yosemite Falls?
Lower Yosemite Falls Trail is a 1.2 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Yosemite Valley, California that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and bird watching and is accessible year-round.
How long is the hike to Half Dome?
Most hikers take 10 to 12 hours to hike to Half Dome and back; some take longer. If you plan on hiking during the day, it’s smart to leave around sunrise (or earlier) and then have a non-negotiable turn-around time. For instance, if you haven’t reached the top of Half Dome by 3:30 pm, you will turn around.
Where to watch the waterfall in Yosemite?
Eminently accessible and popular, the Mist Trail takes hikers through Yosemite National Park to Vernal Fall Bridge, the best place to watch the waterfall.
Can you get wet hiking in the summer?
The first part of the hike is sharp uphill along a rather large path. The second part is quite a lot of stairs. Depending on the weather and amount of water in the waterfall, it is possible to get quite wet on the trail. Keep that in mind if you are hiking during cold weather. In the hot summer, it is a relief!
Is the John Muir Trail one way?
As a result of COVID the trail is currently one way, meaning you must make a loop via either Clark Point or up to Nevada Falls and down the John Muir trail. We elected to do the loop up to Nevada Falls and down John Muir. For us, we found this trail to be challenging but beautiful and worth it.
How long does it take to hike the Mist Trail?
Highly recommend it for anyone staying in the valley or visiting with enough time for a 2-3 hour hike. While the distance isn’t long, you will stop a lot along the way to take in the beauty and also spend time at the top of the falls. The hike starts from Happy Isles (shuttle stop #16).
How difficult is Mist Trail?
Difficulty: Medium, but bordering strenuous if you go all the way to the top of Nevada Fall. The stretches beside Vernal and Nevada Falls are both quite steep – in fact, the last few hundred meters up the Vernal Falls trail are stairs cut into the cliffside.
Is Mist Trail dangerous?
This trail is dangerous and should be closed. The portion of the trail that ascends over slippery, wet granite steps is always crowded, with no handrails, and huge steps that were probably made for mules, not people.
How many steps are on the Mist Trail?
To proceed directly to the top of Vernal Fall, follow the Mist Trail 0.5 miles (0.8 km) up a steep granite stairway of over 600 steps. Prepare for slippery footing and a tremendous amount of waterfall spray in spring and early summer (hence the name for this trail!).
Has anyone died on Half Dome?
Half Dome in Yosemite National Park has seen at least 290 accidents and 13 deaths in the past 15 years, according to Business Insider.
How long is the hike to lower Yosemite Falls?
Lower Yosemite Falls Trail is a 1.2 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Yosemite Valley, California that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and bird watching and is accessible year-round.
Can you swim in Vernal Falls?
The hike to Vernal is beautiful and no matter the time of year, but when you arrive at the base of the falls the view is breathtaking. If you are visiting late in the Summer (2nd half of July and August) this is the best swimming hole that you will find anywhere on earth (See photo)!
