The Mist Trail to Vernal Fall is a hike of about 7 miles round trip in Yosemite National Park, in California, United States. It follows the thundering Merced River upstream, so the sound of rushing water is with you for much of the walk.
The destination is Vernal Fall, a waterfall of 317 feet. The trail reaches its base, and the granite steps close to the fall are the highlight of the route, giving an exhilarating finish to the climb.
What the visit offers
- Scale: a full-day round trip of roughly 7 miles.
- Setting: the Merced River corridor and the granite landscape of Yosemite.
- Highlight: the waterfall at the top and the steps leading up to it.
Deciding whether to go
This is a walk for visitors who are comfortable with a long, steady hike and with steps on rock near falling water. Because the route is 7 miles round trip, plan enough time and water for the full distance. The trail suits anyone who wants to see one of Yosemite's waterfalls up close rather than from a viewpoint, and it is best approached as a half-day or full-day outing within the park.
