Our hike to Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall became one of the most memorable days of our June 2019 Yosemite visit. We climbed the Mist Trail beside the Merced River, walked through clouds of waterfall spray, and returned along the John Muir Trail, where the views made the descent an experience of its own.
Before setting out, we researched several options. Our initial goal was to reach the top of Vernal Fall, with the option to continue to Nevada Fall if we felt ready. Having those choices helped us approach the day with a plan we could adjust along the way.
We ultimately visited both waterfalls and completed a strenuous outing filled with steep climbs, wet steps, enormous granite cliffs, and unforgettable scenery. This is our firsthand experience, including the decisions we made, what surprised us, and what we would keep in mind when planning another visit.
An Early Start in Yosemite Valley
We arrived at the parking area around 7:30 a.m., hoping to start early on the trail. Even then, the lot was nearly full. We found a space and started toward the trailhead.
Before the trip, we studied maps showing routes to Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall, along with the return option via the John Muir Trail. We wanted to understand our choices before deciding how far to go.
With our daypacks and rain gear ready, we started toward Vernal Fall. The Merced River, enormous boulders, and surrounding scenery soon gave us plenty to enjoy as the trail steadily gained elevation.
Into the Mist Climbing to Vernal Fall
As we climbed toward Vernal Fall, the waterfall’s mist enveloped us. Rainbows appeared in the spray, adding color to an already incredible scene. Although the day was sunny and the sky was blue, at times it felt as though we were walking through fog in a storm.
The trail became steeper, and the stone steps were wet and slippery. We brought rain gear, but we still ended up completely soaked. The climb demanded our attention, while the waterfall beside us gave us plenty of reasons to pause and enjoy the view.
As we got closer, we could see the top of the falls. We stopped beneath some trees for a break and ate our prepacked peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, giving us energy for the final push to the top.
Being so close to the rushing water made this one of the most memorable parts of our Yosemite visit—an experience photographs alone cannot fully capture.
Deciding to Continue Toward Nevada Fall
At the top of Vernal Fall, we walked up to the railing and looked over the edge of the massive waterfall. After the wet climb, we found a sunny spot on a large rock to rest and dry some of our clothes and gear.
The squirrels had other priorities. They kept trying to reach our food, and we kept a close watch on our packs.
While we rested, we considered our options. Neither of us wanted to descend the slippery steps we had just climbed. We had also considered finding a connection to the John Muir Trail without continuing to Nevada Fall.
We decided to keep climbing. Nevada Fall would make the outing more strenuous, but we wanted to see what lay farther along the trail.
Climbing to Nevada Fall
The trail toward Nevada Fall brought more remarkable scenery: massive pine trees, the roaring Merced River, and granite cliffs towering above us. Through openings along the way, we caught occasional views of the top of the waterfall.
The climb grew steeper as we worked our way through switchbacks among enormous boulders. Near the top, the rocky trail sometimes forced us to use both hands and feet to keep moving upward. We stopped on one of the switchbacks for a final rest, where we met a mother and her young daughter making the climb.
At the top, we crossed the Merced River. It was striking to see the water flowing so smoothly and gently before plunging over the waterfall.
The views from the top of Nevada Fall were unforgettable. We took time to enjoy them before beginning our descent along the John Muir Trail.
Returning Along the John Muir Trail
Hiking part of the John Muir Trail was something I had wanted to do for years. Now we were on it, and the descent became a memorable part of the day.
Along one stretch, a stone wall bordered the downhill side of the trail while high rock cliffs rose to our left. In places, water streamed down the cliffs, and looking back toward Nevada Fall gave us some of our favorite photo opportunities.
During this descent, I also took a tumble. I was probably distracted by the scenery when I caught my toe on a rock and fell. My knee was scraped and bloody, but I got back up and continued. It was a personal reminder that going downhill deserves just as much attention to footing as climbing.
The trail continued through long switchbacks, boulders, and massive pine trees. We reached the car tired, bloody, dirty, and thankful for a one-of-a-kind experience in a one-of-a-kind place.
Hike Overview
- Location: Yosemite National Park, California
- Route: Mist Trail to Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall, returning via the John Muir Trail
- Listed trail distance: 6.4 miles
- Our total distance: More than 8.4 miles, including walking between our car and the trailhead, side trails, and exploring
- Listed elevation gain: Approximately 2,208 feet
- Difficulty: Strenuous, based on our experience
- Terrain: Steep stone steps, wet and slippery sections, rocky switchbacks, and a longer descent
- Our visit: June 2019
- Route map: View on AllTrails
Before your visit, check the National Park Service’s Vernal and Nevada Fall trail information for current guidance, and review Yosemite’s current conditions.
Considering an overnight adventure beyond the waterfalls? Contributor Richard Guenther shares his four-day Yosemite backpacking trip, continuing to Half Dome and Merced Lake, with firsthand experiences and planning notes for a longer wilderness outing.
What We Would Keep in Mind Next Time
Researching our route options beforehand helped us make decisions along the way. Vernal Fall was our initial goal, and continuing to Nevada Fall was an option, not a commitment.
Our rain gear did not keep us completely dry in the waterfall spray. The wet, slippery steps also influenced our decision to keep going up and return along the John Muir Trail instead of descending the way we had climbed.
The return brought some of our favorite views, but my scraped knee reminded me to stop, admire the scenery, and watch my footing. This strenuous day was filled with moments we still cherish.
From the clouds of mist beside Vernal Fall to the views back toward Nevada Fall along the John Muir Trail, we still cherish this day. We returned to the car tired, scraped up, and grateful we had gone beyond our original goal.
For more from our visit and ideas for planning your own trip, explore our Yosemite Guide. Whether you are planning a challenging waterfall hike or a shorter walk, our Hiking Guide can help you prepare for your next adventure. For more destinations and ways to explore at your own pace, visit our National Parks Guide.
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