Yosemite National Park United States

Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls

Granite stairs beside two of Yosemite's great waterfalls — soaked in spring spray, with a gentler way down on the John Muir Trail.

  • 8.7 km
  • 5–6 hours
  • strenuous
  • Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct

Photo: God of War · CC BY-SA 3.0

At a glance

Happy Isles to the top of Nevada Fall via the Mist Trail

Distance
8.7 km · 5.4 mi
Elevation gain
610 m · 2,001 ft
Highest point
1,854 m · 6,083 ft
Time
5–6 hours
Difficulty
Strenuous
Route
Out and back

Elevation profile

Elevation from 1237 m to 1828 m over 4.3 km; lowest 1233 m, highest 1854 m.1,2001,6001,9000.0 km2.1 km4.3 km
Measured on the map, one way: 4.3 km, about +601 m of climbing, 1,233–1,854 m. © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL); elevation: NASA SRTM via OpenTopoData.

Plan your trip

Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct

Permits & fees
No permit needed for this trail; park entry rules still apply.
Getting there
Free Valley shuttle to Happy Isles (stop #16).
Good to know
  • Turn around at the Vernal Fall footbridge (1.6 mi round trip) for a short version.
  • The lower Mist Trail closes in winter; the John Muir Trail is the alternate route.

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Sources

Official figures where published; other numbers are measured on the map and approximate. Conditions and rules change — confirm with the official source before you go.