is mist trail dangerous

by Maudie Reinger Sr. Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

While it is considered one of the most dangerous hikes in the US, it also happens to be one of the most rewarding. The Mist Trail is a challenge right from the start with a very steep section leading up to a footbridge at the base of Vernal Falls. Beyond this footbridge, the trail gets 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. Don't go above Vernal Falls on this trail if you value your life. Take the John Muir Trail instead.

Full Answer

Is the Mist Trail the most dangerous hike in the US?

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 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)

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).

Is Mist Trail scary?

While most of the victims were swept over the falls when they climbed past a barrier at the top of the hike, there are actually many dangerous spots along the lower parts of the trail as well. A view from the top of Vernal Falls. The beauty of this hike is partly what makes it so dangerous.

How hard is the Mist Trail?

How hard is the Mist Trail? I'm not going to lie, the “hard” rating given by AllTrails to the Mist Trail is accurate. You're literally just climbing steps or walking up steep rocky trails almost the entire way up. The Mist Trail is accessible via a paved path that is a little steep, but the easiest part of the trail.

What is the most dangerous hike in Yosemite?

Half Dome: Yosemite National Park, California In a park full of challenging hikes, Half Dome is undoubtedly the toughest one. During the 16-mile hike, you'll ascend over 4,500 feet to nearly 9,000 feet above sea level.

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 long does it take to hike 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 many people have died on Mist Trail Yosemite?

At least 14 people have gone over falls along the Mist Trail in the last 10 years. None survived.

What is the scariest hike in America?

11 of the Most Dangerous Hikes in the U.S.Angel's Landing, Zion National Park. ... Capitol Peak via the Knife Edge, Colorado. ... Mist Trail and Half Dome Cables, Yosemite National Park. ... Huckleberry Trail, Glacier National Park. ... Camp Muir, Mount Rainier National Park. ... Chinitna Bay, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.More items...•

What hiking trail has the most deaths?

America's deadliest hike is Mount Ranier in Washington State. It has claimed over 400 deaths. Anything but a “walk in the park,” Mount Ranier features extreme and fast weather changes, avalanches, falling rocks, and an unpredictable volcano.

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!).

Where do you park for the Mist Trail?

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).

Can kids hike Yosemite?

There are plenty! In fact, there are hikes to suit all ages and all abilities and even a few for strollers. Yosemite is over 3000 square miles meaning there are hundreds of trails to explore. While it is possible to see many of the well-known sights by car, on foot has to be the best way to experience the park.

Is the mist trail worth it?

Because it’s the park’s most heavily trafficked corridor, the Mist Trail experiences quite a lot of visitors. The climb is, however, completely worth it. Despite the Half Dome’s yearly accidents, those managing to conquer the path experience much-deserved elation. If you’re heading to the Half Dome, you’re in for a fun climb. You should, however, make sure you’re ready for a tough trip.

Is the Half Dome dangerous?

Yosemite's Half Dome trail is iconic—and it’s also incredibly dangerous to climb. Well-known for its recreational difficulty, the Half Dome certainly lives up to its name. It’s one of the most dangerous trails in America, and climbers still struggle to overcome its many obstacles.

The Hike

The iconic symbol of Yosemite grandeur, Half Dome just begs to be climbed. Only 300 visitors per day are allowed on the seven-mile route to this granite landmark, and only 50 on the summit (permits are by lottery ).

Exhibit A

Rescuers had to rappel 800 feet to recover the shattered remains of Japanese hiker Hirofumi Nohara, 37, who cartwheeled 1,200 feet down Half Dome’s sheer face into the granite ravine below after trying to squeeze past hikers ahead of him on the cables.

Survival Plan

Assess your fitness level honestly: The Mist Trail is a rigorous hike. And leave early–no later than 5 a.m.–to give yourself the best shot at completing it. Hike on a weekday between late May and early October, a period when the cables have generally been installed.

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?

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 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.

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 do I get to the Mist Trail?

To get to the trailhead: Drive into Yosemite Valley and park at Curry Village or another available parking area near Yosemite Village. Take the free park shuttle to the Happy Isles Shuttle Stop and walk across the Merced River to the start of the Mist Trail.

How long is the Mist Trail in Yosemite?

Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip to Vernal Fall, 7 miles (11 km) round trip to Nevada Fall.

Where does the Mist Trail start in Yosemite?

The beginning of the Mist Trail is in Yosemite Valley near the Happy Isles Nature Center at shuttle stop 16.

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 hard is the hike to Vernal Falls?

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 the hike to Upper Yosemite Falls?

When you’re ready to hit the trail for the better part of a day, it’s hard to beat the 7.6-mile (round-trip) Upper Yosemite Fall hike for top-notch views of breathtaking scenery, challenging climbs and memories to last a lifetime.

Do you have to hike to Yosemite Falls?

The Yosemite Falls Trail is about 4 miles one way, gaining approximately 3,000 feet in elevation over the course of the climb. You ‘ll start near the famous Camp 4 and begin ascending along switchbacks through the trees. If you only do one hike in Yosemite, then the trip to Upper Yosemite Falls is a great option.

How long is the Mist Trail?

The Mist Trail up to Half Dome is found in California’s majestic Yosemite National Park. The approximately 14.2-mile trail begins in Yosemite Valley and winds its way up to the summit of Half Dome, gaining about 4,800 feet in elevation along the way. The average hiker will need about 10 to 12 hours to complete the hike there and back. While it is considered one of the most dangerous hikes in the US, it also happens to be one of the most rewarding.

Why is the Vernal Falls trail dangerous?

This section of the trail is especially dangerous because you are being sprayed with mist from the waterfall as you make your climb.

What are the safety tips for hiking?

Before we jump into the list, let’s touch on a few hiking safety basics. First, make sure you bring the ten hiking essentials with you. These are called essential for a reason! Second, is to arm yourself with knowledge of common risks you may encounter in the outdoors.

Is Angel's Landing dangerous?

Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park is known as one of the top hikes in the US, and also one of the most dangerous. In fact, since 2004, nine people have fallen to their death while hiking Angel’s Landing. After much research on the risks, I decided to give it a try and turn around when I no longer felt safe.

Is the Mist Trail dangerous?

Is Crawler's Ledge dangerous?

Remember, you’re doing this with a full pack of camping gear on your back! While Crawler’s Ledge is the most often mentioned ledge on the trail, I actually found the section shortly afterward even more dangerous. The trail crosses a steep slope covered in pebbles that drops off into the water.

Is danger a relative term?

Danger is a relative term. Something that feels dangerous to me may not feel dangerous to you. And, when it comes to hiking, there are so many different types of danger.

How far is the Mist Trail from the bridge?

Beyond the bridge, at 0.2 miles, the Mist Trail and the John Muir Trail diverge. You can also take the John Muir Trail to the top of Vernal Fall (via the Clark Point cutoff) and the top of Nevada Fall, or combine the Mist Trail and John Muir Trail into a loop.

Is the Mist Trail closed in Nevada?

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). The John Muir Trail also leads to the top of Nevada Fall (bypassing Vernal Fall). The portion of the John Muir Trail ...