Enjoyability Rating: 7/10

While hiking was never one of my favorite activities when I was young I have come to love it even though it might be an acquired taste. The Mist trail or Vernal falls is one of the most memorable hikes for me because as a kid who complained a bunch on the way up, this hike was one that I was silently admiring the beauty. Vernal Falls is one of the most famous hikes in Yosemite because of the beautiful scene about half way up the trail. On a sunny day the mist from the water fall and the sun will create a beautiful rainbow as you walk up the granite stairs to the top of the falls. This trail is a fairly easy family friendly trail with some great views and a fun lake to swim in either before of after the hike, Muir Lake.

Parking:

While there is parking all over the valley, making the hiking as short as possible is probably smart if your on a time crunch like I have always been or if the hike might be pushing your limits already. There is a parking either in the Ahwahnee Hotel lot or if you want to get even closer you can go to Curry Village and catch the shuttle to the Mist Trailhead.

Hike:

The Hike is roughly 3 miles round trip to the top of Vernal Falls or Emerald Pool. If you feel up for it, for 7 miles you can hike to the top of Nevada falls for an even better view and a meet and greet of fellow hikers on their way up to the top of Half Dome. To the top of Vernal falls there is about 900 feet of elevation gain across those three miles, most of the gain is in the last section which is a granite steps trail that runs a from just over halfway to the top. The granite steps are anywhere from 8-14in tall so be prepared to feel a little burn in your legs. The steps are also very slippery which is something to be cautious of when the mist is constantly hitting them. The first half of the trail however is a uphill yet fairly easy paved trail running into a little water station, bridge, and bathroom.

This trail is one my favorites when I show people around Yosemite, it shows the magnitude of the waterfalls in Yosemite in close proximity and while Vernal falls is not nearly the height of Yosemite falls, it is still a spectacular hike because of how close you are to the water however don’t be fooled, the water IS NOT SAFE to swim in no matter how calm you think it is. I would totally recommend this hike to a Yosemite first timer and to someone like myself who grew up messing around in the park, its suits just about everyone and it gives you a pretty solid workout while you enjoy the views.