Vernal Fall is one of the most iconic waterfalls in Yosemite National Park. It is a beautiful waterfall with a height of about 200 meters. You can climb this waterfall completely. When the sun is on the waterfall, you get beautiful rainbows to see through the crashing water. In this blog, I tell you more about hiking to Vernal Fall.
Contents
Best Hiking Routes to Vernal Fall
There are 2 hiking routes that you can take to the waterfall. These are Mist Trail and John Muir Trail (Google Maps). Even better is to combine them: always start with the Mist Trail and take the John Muir Trail back. This is by far the most beautiful route!
Start with the Mist Trail
The Mist Trail in Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular hiking routes in the park and is known for its breathtaking beauty. This trail is about 7.2 kilometers long (round trip) and offers a spectacular view of Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. Don’t let the length of the hike scare you off: most hikers don’t go further than the spectacular Vernal Fall and then turn back. Still, you will be busy for about 3 hours with this hike, depending on your route.
The hike starts at the “Happy Isles” stop and leads you through a lush forest and along the babbling Merced River. As you walk further, you are treated to beautiful views of the surrounding granite rocks and the green valley.
After a sturdy climb, you reach Vernal Fall, where the cascading water creates a mist that floats over the surroundings. This is a great place to pause for a moment, enjoy the view, and maybe even experience a refreshing mist shower. I was there myself in September, but in summer the waterfall is much more powerful due to meltwater. The chance that you get wet is much greater then.
And uhm… a sturdy climb… yes, it really is. Below you see the view once you are at the top. You will also find a toilet up there. Handy to know.
If you still have energy left, you can choose to continue to Nevada Fall, which is about 3 kilometers further on. The trail becomes steeper after Vernal Fall and requires more effort, but the reward is the beautiful Nevada Fall. In the photo below you see the Nevada Fall. I didn’t hike there myself, but took the John Muir Trail back.
The Return: Follow the John Muir Trail
The John Muir Trail is a bit boringer, but also much quieter. This trail goes zigzagging up the mountain (or down, depending on how you look at it). To get from the Mist Trail to the John Muir Trail, once at the top, you need to walk a bit along the river. Then before you can cross the river turn right. You now climb further up the mountain first where you have a beautiful view of Nevada Fall (see my photo above). Then you go zigzagging down. You walk nicely sheltered here. In warm weather, this is therefore a comfortable route back, without having to climb back down along the hordes of tourists.
The Route Summarized in a Handy Map
Once down, you continue back via the Mist Trail. The map below will undoubtedly help you understand what I mean. I have zoomed in here on the route from the first bridge you encounter, the Vernal Falls Bridge. You are already a few kilometers on your way then. There is a toilet here and you can tap fresh drinking water. On the way back you will pass here again too.
How Do You Get to the Start of These Trails in Yosemite?
A handy way to explore Yosemite National Park is by using the shuttle bus. These shuttle buses offer an easy way to travel through the park. You simply cannot get everywhere by car.
When you want to follow the Mist Trail to Vernal Fall, the best stop to get off is the stop called “Happy Isles“. Follow the signs from here or all your fellow travelers from the bus. Unmissable!
Is Vernal Fall Accessible All Year Round?
Yes, Vernal Fall in Yosemite National Park is accessible all year round. The waterfall is a natural phenomenon and flows constantly, regardless of the season. In spring, after the melting snow, the waterfall is usually at its most powerful, while in summer it may have a bit less water. In autumn, Vernal Fall offers a beautiful color palette due to the changing leaves in the surroundings. Even in winter, when parts of the park may be covered with snow, Vernal Fall retains its natural beauty, although conditions can be slippery and snowy. A hike can become quite challenging or even dangerous.
All in all, it is a beautiful hike. I definitely recommend doing this hike when you are going hiking for a day in Yosemite National Park! We were in Yosemite in September. Want to go in this period too? Then definitely read my blog!
Bonus Tip: Take the Breathtaking Tioga Pass Road at Yosemite
Planning your trip to Yosemite National Park? Or are you there now? Then you definitely need to drive the Tioga Pass. The Tioga Pass Road, also known as Highway 120, is a scenic road that runs right through Yosemite National Park. This road is about 95 kilometers long and connects the western and eastern entrances of the park to each other.
Not only is this route shorter than the alternative, but also more beautiful! But be careful: the Tioga Pass is not always open. You read everything about the Tioga Pass in the blog I wrote about it.
