Mist Trail Yosemite - Trail Guide

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Considered the classic Yosemite hike, the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls lives up to its hype. The lower slopes are paved and scenic, but then you cross the Merced River and hike through the mist up 600 granite steps to the 317-foot Vernal Falls (3 miles round-trip). You can then continue to the massive and booming 594-foot Nevada Falls (6 miles round-trip). And for a (highly recommended) loop hike back, follow the famous John Muir Trail down scenic switchbacks where you’ll get great views of Nevada Falls and Liberty Dome.
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[@martpain]

Making my first trip out to Yosemite this June (my first-ever national park trip). I've been watching all of your videos and prepping based off of your website. I am so utterly grateful that people like you exist. Thank you for all you do!

[@Hikingguy]

thank you!

[@quinncarroll7987]

We just got back from our trip to Yosemite. It was awesome. This video was very helpful and it was very informative. I am glad I watched this because it would have been a lot harder going back down on the mist trail as opposed to the John Muir trail. Thank you for making the video.

[@Hikingguy]

Glad it was helpful and glad you got to experience the park, this hike is a classic. 👍

[@tedinohio3981]

I did this exact hike in 2005 in July. I have some nice pictures and video, but wish I had taken more pictures. I doubt if I will ever get back to this trail, and if I did I don't know if my 74 year old knees could do it again! Thanks for the tour, it is an outstanding trail!

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you and I'd say give it another try. I see people of all shapes, sizes, and ages out there. Get some trekking poles, take your time, and just enjoy!

[@luismunoz2456]

Thank you for showing this.

[@gpaula2232]

This is awesome!!!!!

[@dychui]

I’m doing this hike tomorrow and your video is so helpful to me !

[@lovetohike317]

Very informative, thanks, we are hoping to get our there next year.

[@ryan_hakes]

Definitely the most beautiful and memorable trail I've hiked to date. Wish I could just live right there. Thanks for this video!

[@richie5930]

Awesome video thanks a lot.. love the commentary..

[@andreistirbu2733]

Stunning trees and rocks!

[@MindyNhouaVang]

Your video really help give me a guide of the 2 trails. Thanks

[@thebeautyofnatureandanimal1771]

That's a fun hike up misty trail. You sure need to be prepared since it's strenuous. The JohnMuir trail back made it nice to not have to go back down then steps. Thanks for sharing a great video.

[@mpatsosibu8482]

Am planning to visit Yosemite National park bumped with this video was the great opportunity it helps alot to be Well prepared before I go really appreciate 👏👏👏👍

[@jackie8357]

This is beautiful- Thank you for sharing!

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you! 👍👍🙏

[@tr00th]

Awesome hike, and informative video. Can’t wait to see what other adventures you got into on your trip.

[@Hikingguy]

Thanks! Yea, I have a few more old Yosemite guides coming from last year... .some good ones..

[@bananaslugpillowpet]

ty for this.

[@tedperkoski7534]

The second way down is so beautiful. The views are just fantastic. If someone only has one day to spend in Yosemite(pity), I would do that trail. you can see the mountains all around you

[@031TP]

I only hiked all the way to Vernal fall but for my next trip i will definitely do this loop.thanks for the video and info.

[@Hikingguy]

Nice, yea, give Nevada a try next time, very worth it. And less crowds...

[@trading4waves]

that was such a beautiful day for yosemite! you're so lucky

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you, yea, was last year, got blessed with clear skies and decent temps.

[@stevearita3267]

Great Video, wish I found your channel before I attempted to hike up to Vernal falls this weekend. I wasn't paying attention to the board at the base of the trail, didn't know the Mist trail is closed during the winter. I hiked to the area where the gate was closed, people I talked to said I needed to hike to Nevada falls and somehow cut down over to Vernal, I unfortunately didn't have the energy to continue (last I did any amount of hiking and backpacking was like 37 yrs ago). BUT, I plan to go back in May when the Mist trail opens up, and try again. Thank you, your video was excellent, it's always easier to see it then necessarily talk about it. I subscribed.

[@Hikingguy]

Glad the video was helpful and sorry the gate was closed. In the winter that trail can become a sheet of ice with the mist / freezing. If you visit in May it should be roaring, it's a great time to visit!

[@justinchop5531]

We did this hike from upper pines and back down john muir trail. It was over 10 miles round trip

[@lorena617]

cool i think i will start where you ended i have little kids 7 and 8 andnthe other side look too much for their age. what a helpful video thanks

[@arnoldocasillas456]

Thank you

[@JH-mt3pp]

We hope to do this in 2021. Covid 19 cancelled our trip for 2020. The video was awesome !

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you! Good luck for 2021!

[@milwaukeemotor5995]

spectacular

[@camilogv]

Just did this.Got a little icy on the way down! Great views

[@Hikingguy]

Nice, hope you had fun, and yea, all the trails out of the Valley, up the walls, can be a bit dicey in winter, especially in the shady spots.

[@latinqurl]

Omg so many memories here. I made this hike with my class I think I was like 14 years old. I thought I was gonna die 🤭 the steps, the water splashing on my face..omg! Can’t believe I made it 😅🥳😎

[@Hikingguy]

Ha, nice, and yea, this hike is epic, glad you got to experience it. Now it's time to head back!

[@skysurfer5cva]

A couple points: - About halfway up the Clark Point Cutoff Trail is an outstanding but easily missed viewpoint that looks down on Vernal Fall. At this viewpoint, you are about 300 feet above the top of the waterfall and about 500 feet to the south. Some of my best photos of Vernal are from this viewpoint. - The water running onto the JMT to the SW of Nevada Fall (@10:50) isn't seeping out of the granite. It's from an ephemeral cascade that slides down a long granite slope above the trail. Standing under that cascade is a good way to cool off on a warm day. :-)

[@Hikingguy]

Thanks for the tips! 👍👍👍

[@TacoMan99]

Taking my parents on this trail this weekend (their first time in Yosemite) hope we make it to the top of vernal falls!

[@milwaukeemotor5995]

underrated channel

[@Hikingguy]

As of June 2023, the route down the JMT is closed. You'll have to return the way you came up on the Mist Trail. Updates here: bit.ly/43qsUOt

[@angiemeador4632]

I really enjoy the help your videos provide. We are planning a trip to Yosemite next summer and as I am more than a bit timid on high places, I am watching videos in preparation (as well as challenging myself on real hikes between now and then). I am wondering how long the steep and narrow stretch is right before you reach Nevada Falls.

[@Hikingguy]

Do you mean the narrow stairs before Vernal Fall? That's about 0.5 miles, the last steep climb to Nevada Fall is about 0.75 miles

[@haroldhdknoxstreet-glide5331]

Some people are just asking for danger aren’t they...? Great video thanks for sharing Everytime I’m in the USA I search for trails cause in Germany we don’t have that kind of trails that much.

[@Hikingguy]

Ha I know, it makes me mental to see people going past the danger signs. Glad you enjoy the videos and hopefully there's lots of great hikes on your USA list...

[@uncatila]

I scuba diver the pool beneath vernal. That was tough laughing the scuba gear

[@sonnytaunton9188]

Excellent video. It's always nice to have a look around before you actually get there and do the trail yourself. After you get to the top of Nevada falls and start back down the John Muir Trail when you get to the junction of the Panorama Trail how far is it from that point up to glacier point? If it's not too far I might try to add it also. Once again fantastic video

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you - and check out the interactive map in the guide, you can check all the distances there

[@khanthanouphengphongsavan5836]

This was a great tour guide. Thank you for sharing. What month or season was this? Looks really beautiful. We did the hike yesterday to vernal falls but only made it to the bridge due to snow and ice the rest of the trail was closed.

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you 👍 and this video was shot in July. And yea, in the winter, it's often treacherous and closed. Taking the JMT up is a safer move.

[@anagingerkot1440]

What a great video! 😍 Your channel is a pure gold! Would you recommend to go on this hike in September? We are going to Yosemite in a week for 2 days, trying to pick the best hikes 🙈

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you 👍 Sep is great for this hike, and the Mist is the classic, you'll love it.

[@whisky2323]

How long was that hike completed in. How many days where you there. Did you camp at a spot. Spectacular

[@Hikingguy]

Check out the link in the description, think all the details of the hike are in there including time and distance. I shot this video last summer, stayed in a tent camp down the road, was a last minute trip. Ideally I would have stayed somewhere in the village but it's really hard to find a spot.

[@gpaula2232]

Great video! Will be there in a week! If we decide not to continue up to Nevada Falls, is there a way to come down the John Muir Trail?

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you and enjoy your trip, and yes, you can loop around and take the JMT back down.

[@G.Photogirl]

If I hike up to Vernal Falls, is there a way to get onto the John Muir trail to get back down? I don't want Togo as far as Nevada Falls. If I can take the JMT down from Vernal is the trail marked?

[@jm3na]

Great info on the video. Do you need a wilderness permit for this trail?

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you! No permit required.

[@mgmwmusic6211]

With the recent closure of the Ice Cut between the Panorama trail and Clark Point, is the only return option to go back down the way you ascended? Thanks for all you do!!

[@Hikingguy]

Yea that's a bummer, you can go down the Mist Trail now to solve the issue. Hope they find a way to open that stretch again, it was spectacular.

[@Amir-py4qh]

Thanks for the video! What do you think about hiking this trail wearing sandals? Where would you park to get to the trailhead the shortest way, now when the shuttle service is not available (will be there on mid-September weekend)?

[@Hikingguy]

You can do the hike in Tevas or a hiking sandal, but I wouldn't do it in flip flops. - For parking, Curry Village lot and walk ,it's not too far

[@danpalmer6227]

👍

[@pamelasayer7548]

Your videos are so helpful!- currently doing my research for the half dome hike. Have you ever taken Clark Point Trail? Is it easy enough to get back on the mist trail from JMT between Nevada and Vernal falls? When I do my half dome hike, I was thinking I might take JMT or Clark Point to avoid Nevada going down- but maybe would like to still take Vernal down? Not sure yet...

[@Hikingguy]

Clark Point is nice, easy to navigate and bop between trails. For most folks on Half Dome the move is to climb the Mist Trail and then just come back on the JMT down to the start of the trail at the Vernal Falls Bridge. That way you avoid all the crowds going up the Mist Trail and save your knees from the steps. I talk about it a bit in my guide to Half Dome, you might want to check that out too.

[@pamelasayer7548]

We will be starting the hike in the dark, maybe about 4:30 am... probably not going to have sunlight until near top of Nevada? We won’t really be able to see the falls very well in the dark. That’s why I wanted to consider taking Clark around Nevada- but take the steps down Vernal - catch the falls in daylight. I guess we’ll see how we feel. Thanks again!

[@Hikingguy]

@@pamelasayer7548 ah, yea, even in the dark you should do the Mist, it's good, you'll feel, smell, and hear the falls and it's till impressive, Mist up and JMT down is what I recommend, have fun!

[@oscarmolinaoutdooradventur1648]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👍🏼👍🏼

[@stephenfleming3320]

How long is this hike? I am going next year with my wife, and this hike looks amazing. 😊

[@Hikingguy]

check the link in the description for all the details

[@iguillo]

I thought Yosemite was closed during the pandemic? I actually did this hike this past summer, but took the John Muir trail on the way down. ;-)

[@Hikingguy]

It is, and also covered with snow now... video is older, this guide has JMT down too, take a look!

[@lindakuster2187]

if you only go up to vernal falls, is the only way back the same way you came up? is john muir only accessible from the nevada falls section?

[@reginarizer5797]

Two questions: How long did this take and can you get lost or is it marked well? Thank You

[@Hikingguy]

Check out the guide link in the description for all the details including time. The trail is well marked / very popular, you'd have to really try to get lost on this guy.

[@JasmineFindlay]

Do you know the distance from the lower Yosemite falls to the mist trail? :)

[@Hikingguy]

Probably about a 3 mile walk

[@rollcallproductions]

When did you make this hike? We'll be making the trip in a couple weeks for our first visit to Yosemite. We only have one day, would this be the trail you recommend given the seasonal closures of some other trails?

[@Hikingguy]

This was July. If you only have one day and you've never hiked there before, the Mist Trail is probably your best move, it's the signature hike. Just leave as close to sunrise as possible to beat the crowds and it will be magical.

[@rollcallproductions]

@@Hikingguy Thanks for the advice!

[@marlinaharianja2204]

What time is the best to start hiking this place

[@Hikingguy]

Sunrise

[@miguelfragoso7023]

What month of the year was this?

[@Hikingguy]

July

[@JH-mt3pp]

Can you cut over to John Muir trail from Vernal ?

[@Hikingguy]

Yup

[@Hikingguy]

Just a little bit upstream you can take the trail uphill to the JMT

[@JH-mt3pp]

@@Hikingguy Thanks ! I looked at a trail map. I'm sure my wife will want to go for the Gold lol.

[@greennewkh]

hello you

[@joesman53]

Hi, I have a fear of heights and the stairway looks a bit beyond me so I was just wondering if you can avoid the stairs completely by taking the John Muir both up and down? Thank you

[@Hikingguy]

Yes, you can take the JMT up and avoid the stairs. It's a nice climb that avoids the crowds.

[@joesman53]

@@Hikingguy thank you!

[@moiedawan1593]

Is Yosemite open?

[@Hikingguy]

Nope, this video is from earlier

[@mr.siqueiros1691]

Not Navada... NEVADA! lol

[@Hikingguy]

Haha, yea, some people get passionate when you say it in a way that they're not accustomed to...

[@milwaukeemotor5995]

it's beautiful, i don't know if i can do this with the height

[@Hubbuster88]

Great video but the Merced River is pronounced MER - SAID

[@maguebecerra7758]

This is beautiful- Thank you for sharing!

[@Hikingguy]

👍👍

[@Hikingguy]

@Fudge57 Check out the guide in the link for the distance, interactive map you can play around with etc, glad you got to enjoy it 👍👍