The Vernal Fall – Nevada Fall – Little Yosemite trail happens to be the first trail that I have completed at Yosemite though I did visit the park when I was younger.
We parked at the Curry Village parking lot, and made our way to the trailhead through the gentle and shaded path along the road. When my friend and I arrived at the trailhead, we were astounded with the sheer number of visitors on the trail and that the first section up until the Vernal Fall bridge was paved! The trail is no easy feat as it climbs right from the start and levels for a bit at the footbridge. The footbridge is also where people can view a portion of the roaring river, return back to the trailhead after a bathroom stop and water refill.
There is a junction to head towards the John Muir Trail and Clark Point, though we picked the more popular option of heading towards Vernal Fall via the Mist Trail and we wanted to know the true meaning of the “Mist” trail.
Not long after heading on the left fork, we could hear the roar of the falls and carefully made our way around wet puddles, wet and slippery stone steps. The higher we climbed, the more wet it got and the louder the waterfall became. Rain jackets or ponchos are a must especially after a wet winter season and in the early spring months. After only a couple minutes, our jackets were soaked and our pants were wet, and that was before we dared each other to head straight into the shower of the falls, where we became seven more drenched. The mist is unavoidable as the waterfall’s surface area impact showers the whole realm.
After grappling onto wet stones, we made our way through a narrow cliffside walk before approaching the massive rock that the Merced River is slowly chipping away at day by day. We took a break here, enjoyed the view, and continued the trek along the quiet, though evidently fast-flowing river. In the second photo below, Mount Broderick can be seen on the right.
At the second bridge that crosses the Merced River, we saw the water forcing its way through a narrow gulch where it eventually dropped into a pool that fanned out downstream. It seems possible to use it as a natural slide, though the danger and risks of the fast flowing river are so high that we stayed on the bridge and dreamed of the pleasure.
The trail begins to wind through a forested area where Nevada Fall’s presence can be seen and heard.
The trail continues to climb on the left side of the falls via rocky steps and little shade. We took a lunch break here and when we made it to the top, we decided to head to Little Yosemite first. At this point, the trail’s elevation change is less and not as strenuous as the climb up past Vernal and Nevada Falls, which is a nice break on our legs. Upon reaching Little Yosemite, we reflect upon the mirror-like qualities of the river and how it does similarly match the Yosemite valley where we parked our cars. This region is also where some backpackers can set up camp before making the climb to Half Dome.
On a whim, and to get a better view of the valley, we climb up a rock and we are so surprised to see the back of Half Dome. We stared in wonder and made a vow to come back one day. Climbing the dome does require a permit when the cables are up, though are ways to bypass that, such as: when we did meet a group who did attempt it without the cables (highly dangerous and limited to the brave and well-prepared) and we have heard of people actually climbing the rock’s face from the valley floor with all their climbing gear.
After standing for a little while longer, my friend and I decided to turn around and head back to the trailhead. Along the way, we saw Liberty Cap, which is an interesting feature with its nearly vertical face and its wonderful position as it faces the sunset and Glacier Point.
The area surrounding Nevada Fall is more gentle, though there are a lot more opportunities to induce adrenaline pumping by staring down the waterfall to the rocks down below.
We went back down the same way we came as the John Muir Trail section was closed at the time, stopping by the top of Vernal Fall for another grand view. There were still quite a bit of people on the trail even as the sun started to set, and I can see why so many people attempt this trail.
Yosemite National Park: Vernal Fall – Nevada Fall – Little Yosemite via Mist Trail
Start: Nature Center at Happy Isles
Duration: 6-7 hours
Difficulty: moderately strenuous
Length: 9.6 miles RT
Danger: wet trail, sheer cliff drop-offs
Length: 9.6 miles RT
Danger: wet trail, sheer cliff drop-offs
Exposure: equal mix of shade and sun
Crowd factor: very high, though density decreases past each landmark
(hike completed in March 2016)
Happy travels!
Cat
