Mist Trail Hiker Reviews

OK there really were not any Lions or Tigers but we did see 2 bears on our hike, one came across the trail maybe 20 yards in front of us, very exciting. The hike is a tough one if you're not in shape, plenty of shade to stop and rest along the way, bring water not alcohol, nice view of the Illilouette Fall as you get up the hill a short way, bring your camera and keep it handy, Vernal fall is worth the hike and yes there was a crowd of people on the bridge all vying for the perfect place to take a picture, be patient and you will get your chance. The walk back is a piece of cake. I recommend the hike even with the possibility of seeing Bears.

I loved this trail! My boyfriend and I went before 6 AM and pretty much had the trail to ourselves. You will get wet if you go just after spring thaw, which lasted well into June in 2011. My only complaint is that it gets mobbed once the rest of the tourists wake up. SO crowded. Go early or late to avoid the masses.

A word to the wise: I saw numerous people on the John Muir Trail and around Vernal Fall in tennis shoes or even flip-flops. Bad idea. I think a lot of them underestimate the steepness of the trails, even the JMT. Bring real hiking shoes! Your feet will thank you.

I did this hike last Saturday 11-5-11. The scenery was awesome, a little dusting of snow, nice cool temps and not too crowded. I went all the way to the top of Nevada falls. WOW!! Great views all the way up. Only thing I will do differently next time I do this hike is not coming down the way I went up. Killer on the knees all those stairs! Not sure which way is more difficult going up or coming down? I recommend coming down the Muir trail.

At first we were a little put off by the asphalt section of the trail thinking we were on the elder hostel walk by mistake, then got captivated rather quickly by all the scenery. So much beauty and an element of danger around every turn. A great workout and a reminder of why Yosemite gets under your skin and stays with you forever.

The hike from Happy Isles to Vernal and Nevada falls is pretty terrific. We took the Mist trail up and the John Muir trail back down. There are great views all along the trails. After our hike, we decided we had made a good choice in route, as it was much easier to go up the very steep Mist trail, and come back on the much gentler, but longer John Muir trail. We hiked in late August, and typically there isn't much water going over the falls at this time of year, but this year (2011), there was still a lot of water flowing, and it was spectacular. Some reviews have stated that there is a good view of Vernal Fall from the bridge. We found this was not the case; we could barely see the falls through the trees. Hiking up the trail another few minutes yielded a great view. The steps/trail up the side of the falls were very steep, wet and slippery, but the view from the top of the falls was definitely worth the trouble. Further upstream, the pool was pretty, and the river flowing down the sheet of rock into the pool was amazing. There was quite a crowd of people up to this point, but beyond the pool there were far fewer people.

While Vernal Fall is a classic beautiful falls, Nevada Fall is her wild-west cousin. The water flowing from the top of the cliff hits the rock face and jets off to the right in a pure white spray and then cascades down the rugged face of the not-quite vertical rock. As we climbed the Mist trail next to the falls, we were treated to a perfect side-view of the falls. Once at the top, the view of the last vertical 2000 feet we had climbed was a great pay-off. The trip down the John Muir trail had some great views of Nevada Fall, but we were somewhat disappointed to find that there is no view whatsoever of Vernal fall from that trail.

In all we estimated we hiked about 7 miles in 5 hours. Normally this would be an extremely leisurely pace, but the elevation gains made our view stops all the more welcome.

The drinking water and restrooms at the bridge were very welcome. There are restrooms at a couple other strategic locations on the trail, but we didn't find any other drinking water, so you will want to bring some of your own. Also, the condition of the trail is quite poor in some locations, particularly along the John Muir trail, where horses are permitted. Watch your step there or you could easily twist your ankle.

Overall, I rate this hike 100% recommended.

Quite enjoyable, the water was full bore 7/4/2011. The Gloomy Gus commentary: be aware not to be lulled by the paved route--the hike is quite steep in many places. A reasonable challenge for the old and very young is the bridge with drinking water, toilets, and a waterfall view. From there, if the water is flowing you WILL GET WET along with your cell phone, camera, etc. unless you've a poncho on.

Remember, what goes up must come down and this can be harder to do and certainly is the riskier of the two. This all said, I'd certainly do it again, though next time with water protection.

Incredible hike!!!!! I've been to Yosemite several times since I was a small child, but have never hiked these two trails. My hike was during the month of May 2011. You have to be in good shape to hike these trails, since 90% of the Mist Trail is all uphill to Vernal Falls. You can feel the power of the rushing water from Vernal Falls as you ascend the staircase. Remember your jacket or covering and make sure you cover your camera, because you will get wet. The views and scenery are completely worth the work, once you get to the top of Vernal Falls. I suggest, after taking in the scenery at Vernal, take a rest at Emerald pools, since it's less crowded.

I continued on hiking to Nevada Falls. The switchbacks on the trail to Nevada Falls, were difficult, but again SO WORTH IT! From the top of Nevada, I then descended the John Muir trail back into the Yosemite Valley. Round trip approx 9 miles. There is so much to see and photo opportunities on this hike. Please remember to bring enough water and food. Even in the month of May when it was cooler, you definitely need to be drinking water and eating. Enjoy and be safe and PLEASE read and obey the warning signs!!!

My husband and I spent a week in Yosemite a few weeks ago. We support our National Parks and visit various heavenly wonders each year. They are all awesome in their unique way. However, spending time in Yosemite was one of the greatest gifts we have ever experienced. One that will remain in our hearts and souls forever. The Mist trail was a good work-out (for us old-timers) but managed it just fine taking our time and using great caution. As we climbed it felt like we were in our 20's again. The beauty and anticipation in each rugged step we took made us feel like kids again...filled with excitement and awe! As if the view climbing to the top wasn't a truly blessed gift in itself, we were rewarded with great granite resting places warmed from the sun. Being drenched and chilled from the spray, I immediately sprawled my body upon a huge rock. It warmed my body and more so, my soul! I thank God I had the opportunity to spend time in "nature's playground." I will be back! So much more to explore and discover. Thanks to all the park's rangers and workers for maintaining the park's beauty and allowing me to wander about freely. Thank you!

To celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary my husband and I decided to return to Yosemite where we met 21 years ago (our oldest son came along). Not knowing what was ahead I agreed to hike to Vernal Falls with them. The incline was very steep and I tried to give up at least 5 times. Just before reaching the Mist Trail, I was hot, sweating and thirsty and again wanted to quit. I looked up and saw a rainbow, lush greenery and the mist from the waterfall was spraying all over me. It was a beautiful experience!

With encouragement from fellow hikers, my son and husband along the way I had the strength to go all the way to the top.

I remember going to this waterfall in the early 90's when they did not have the guard rail at the top of the waterfall. It is a spectacular view and you seem drawn to its beauty. It was very hard not to step into the river to get a closer look. Nature is for us to enjoy but it can also be very unforgiving when we go beyond our boundaries. Many have fallen to their deaths and it is sad that those rails had to be put in place for our safety. It does take away some of its natural beauty to see the rails there, but it is the sign of the times, otherwise this is a very wonderful wonder of nature where we can stand back and just admire it for what it is, and can only be found in California.

We are avid day hikers and have taken many beautiful hikes, but we agree that this is the BEST HIKE EVER, if you've got the legs and the lungs for it. This is a stairmaster, straight-up-the-side-of-the-cliff hike that is too tough for small children. Wear sunscreen and good hiking boots. I'm a big fan of trekking poles, too, for taking some of the pressure off your legs and helping with balance in the steep spots.

We were very fortunate to hike this hike in a July when 200% snowpack made the waterfalls full even in midsummer. If you are hiking the Mist Trail when the falls are full, you will get soaking wet unless you take a raincoat.

This is a plush, incredibly well maintained trail with multiple toilets (at the bridge, the top of Vernal and the top of Nevada). The toilets at the bridge and at the top of Vernal were being CLEANED the day we hiked.

The first section to the bridge below Vernal Fall is surprisingly steep. The relentless uphill make us flatlanders wheeze at the beginning of the hike, and the relentless downhill at the end of the hike made our thighs, knees and toes hurt.

At the top of Vernal Fall, we elected to hike the Mist Trail steps up to the top of Nevada Fall and the John Muir trail back down. This is DEFINITELY the way to go to save your knees. The steps are narrow, wet and slippery and navigating down them seems even more treacherous than going up. Our technique was to carefully watch our feet for a dozen steps or so, then stop, catch our breath and look around at the scenery. In truth you don't notice how much your legs hurt on these steep steps, because being right next to the roaring, drenching falls is so fascinating.

A few days after we hiked this hike, three hikers were swept over the falls after they ignored the warning signs and barricades and waded into the Merced River above Vernal falls. Do not wade or swim. The current is too strong to overcome.

I think the flat stretch after the top of Vernal Falls is one of the most beautiful sections of the hike. Then suddenly you are right next to thundering Nevada Fall and the rocky switchbacks to the top begin. They are worth it though, for the beautiful granite plaza at the top with the green river flowing through it. We could have stayed all day, watching the river, the valley, the peaks, clouds and the other hikers. Take your picnic lunch, sit in the shade and enjoy as long as you can.

My favorite section of the trail is after you cross the bridge at the top of Nevada fall and hike the John Muir trail along the cliff. Stop and look back often for more amazing views of Nevada Fall at eye level. We thanked the crews along this section who were doing trail maintenance the day we hiked. Most of the rest of the trip down is through the woods, and there is a good rest stop on a granite outcrop where the trail rides stop. You'll know it when you get there.

We descended the final section below the bridge late in the day when it was crowded with daytrippers with tired children. Navigate through them patiently and then head for the beer and pizza at Degnan's Loft.

the hike was very pleasing, a couple of buddies and I, along with my 10 year girl twins went up there this 4th of July weekend. It was a blast!!!! the girls who I thought would complain, had none! they were all smiles! it's strenuous, but well worth it! can't wait to go back...

I went with my dad and I thought it was perfect cause I wanted to break a sweat, but I didn't want my dad to pass out on the side of the trail! It was a bit of a challenge at parts, but the hike is greatly rewarding because the view was amazing!!! You know you're almost done when you start feeling the mist off the fall before the higher Nevada Fall (I didn't hike up to the Neveda Fall but could have). Definitely get an early morning start because at 10 o'clock in the morning, the trail gets packed. We were coming back down at that time and we knew the tourist rush was coming. I'm going to the valley this weekend to hike the Upper Yosemite Falls and I can't wait cause it's going to be the last notch right before Half Dome! Anyways it's the perfect hike if you want to test all the workouts you have done at the gym.