Mist Trail
Mist Trail
5
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Eminently accessible and popular, the Mist Trail takes hikers through Yosemite National Park to Vernal Fall Bridge, the best place to watch the waterfall.
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63 within 10 kms
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- Joy_lee21161 contributionsGreat viewsWe hiked this in the winter so the trail that going along the river up to Vernal Falls was closed so we followed the trail on the right up to the top to Clark’s Point and a viewpoint of Half Dome and Nevada Falls. The hike was strenuous, but doable. We did it just after the valley received 3-5” of snow. It was so beautiful with the snow.Visited December 2022Written January 5, 2023
- rose mLondon, United Kingdom123 contributionsThere is water on the way upI just wanted to inform you all that there are a few free fountains water on the way up. About after 30/45min going up. It's very steep and you can finish your bottle quickly if the weather is warm/hot. So don't worry there are a few fountains with fresh water you can refill your bottle. The first waterfall us just 15/20min up after the fountains.Visited September 2022Traveled with friendsWritten February 13, 2023
- Ann V92 contributionsI did it!Thank goodness I didn’t read any reviews first or I would not have gone. It took us five hours. So much climbing. Then more climbing. So proud of my old self. It was the summer after record setting snowfall so the rivers were so full we were really buffeted by the falls as we got near. Soaking wet. The entire experience made me glad to be alive and away from my three monitors remote working alone in a house. Though I didn’t think that till I was done. Lol. Yosemite was as awesome as I had hoped. Definitely try it. And go past the bridge and up the path as far as you can. Then go some more.Visited June 2023Traveled with familyWritten September 27, 2023
- Paul Smith PalliserPeru302 contributionsArrive early. Even in off season it's crowded.We arrived early and started the hike up from Happy Isles to top of Vernal Falls. Before we hit the bridge we then turned right heading to Clark Point via the John Muir trail which led us back down. We started the day seeing only a few people hiking but as soon as we got down it looked like the crowds at Disneyland were all trying to get in.Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 18, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
1,049 reviews
Excellent
853
Very good
168
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18
Poor
5
Terrible
5
Paul Smith Palliser
Peru302 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We arrived early and started the hike up from Happy Isles to top of Vernal Falls. Before we hit the bridge we then turned right heading to Clark Point via the John Muir trail which led us back down. We started the day seeing only a few people hiking but as soon as we got down it looked like the crowds at Disneyland were all trying to get in.
Written 18 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann V
Blacklick92 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Thank goodness I didn’t read any reviews first or I would not have gone. It took us five hours. So much climbing. Then more climbing. So proud of my old self. It was the summer after record setting snowfall so the rivers were so full we were really buffeted by the falls as we got near. Soaking wet. The entire experience made me glad to be alive and away from my three monitors remote working alone in a house. Though I didn’t think that till I was done. Lol. Yosemite was as awesome as I had hoped. Definitely try it. And go past the bridge and up the path as far as you can. Then go some more.
Written 27 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Menglu L
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Family
This trail is so beautiful with wildlife all around (birds, squirrels, etc). It’s a little hard and the view is worth it.
Written 3 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thom Mandos
Roosendaal, The Netherlands287 contributions
May 2023
The absolute highlight of my last trip to the USA. This hike is a must do when in Cali. The views are breathtaking and it isn't that hard to go all the way up the waterfalls. When your at the top the view is amazing. The bridge above the waterfall is just spectacular. The way down with John Muir was very cool as well. Loved all parts of this hike.
Written 8 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ge0fflisa
New Zealand68 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
This was an amazing choice for our only activity in the Valley - the Vernal falls are so beautiful and the misty walk was quite lovely in the heat. I would t choose to walk back down the steps though so we walked around in a loop via the John Muir Trail
Written 10 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diana
Red Wing, MN9 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
Too difficult of trail. Not to be waled by just anybody a only can be completed by triathlon olympians
Written 15 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rose m
London, UK123 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
I just wanted to inform you all that there are a few free fountains water on the way up. About after 30/45min going up.
It's very steep and you can finish your bottle quickly if the weather is warm/hot.
So don't worry there are a few fountains with fresh water you can refill your bottle.
The first waterfall us just 15/20min up after the fountains.
It's very steep and you can finish your bottle quickly if the weather is warm/hot.
So don't worry there are a few fountains with fresh water you can refill your bottle.
The first waterfall us just 15/20min up after the fountains.
Written 13 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anirudh K
1 contribution
Jan 2023
Lovely hike! I really enjoyed the hike. I went with 4 people. it was awesome. I recommend to whoever likes hiking
Written 16 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joy_lee21
Grand Rapids, Michigan161 contributions
Dec 2022
We hiked this in the winter so the trail that going along the river up to Vernal Falls was closed so we followed the trail on the right up to the top to Clark’s Point and a viewpoint of Half Dome and Nevada Falls. The hike was strenuous, but doable. We did it just after the valley received 3-5” of snow. It was so beautiful with the snow.
Written 5 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yosserwirral
Wirral, UK430 contributions
Sep 2022
Make sure you have strong knees and thighs, the walk up and back is pretty tough on the legs.
If you're an avid walker and hiker then it's probably a breeze, but for us mere mortals it's quite a slog, but well worth it in the end.
The climb up there on the footpath is consistently steep, not much rest-bite so coming back down is tough on the knees.
If you're an avid walker and hiker then it's probably a breeze, but for us mere mortals it's quite a slog, but well worth it in the end.
The climb up there on the footpath is consistently steep, not much rest-bite so coming back down is tough on the knees.
Written 30 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, how much time to do the loop? approximately..
Thanks
PacificNWFamily
Washington State100,779 contributions
It depends on which "loop" you want to do and the time of day.
The Mist Trail has a closure section from 7 am to 3:30 pm, Mon-Thu (extending to Fri in Sept) It's possible to do a loop via the Clark Point Cutoff (5 miles) or via the top of Nevada Fall (7 miles), but you have to be more creative about timing and direction during the week.
Ask on the Yosemite forum where we can share maps, detailed tips, and more. This Q&A feature has few readers.
Hey!!! Is the park , road , trails on for Easter week ??
PacificNWFamily
Washington State100,779 contributions
Hi
Next time post on the active Yosemite forum rather than this seldom viewed Q&A feature.
Yosemite is always open. (Well, almost always. It has closed for forest fires and for government issues, but not for the season.)
Hey, we plan to see Vernal falls, it is okay to hike with 18 months baby with baby carrier? How steep it is? Give me some
inputs regrading this falls.
Thanks in advance.
bonjour,
il faut compter combien de temps aller à Vernal Fall puis à Nevada Fall
JBRetired
Apple Valley, CA472 contributions
5 hours round trips are there any bathrooms. Seems too crowded to wonderoff in the woods
PacificNWFamily
Washington State100,779 contributions
Yes, there are a few spots with outhouses. The National Park website includes this information in its description of the Vernal Fall & Nevada Fall hike (Mist Trail up and John Muir Trail down.)
"Restrooms are located at the shuttle stop near the trailhead (stop #16). Additionally, restrooms are located at the Vernal Fall footbridge, approximately 1 mile up the trail (May to October). Vault toilets are available beyond the top of Vernal Fall (along the Mist Trail) and at the top of Nevada Fall (along the Mist Trail)."
If you post questions on the active Yosemite forum, you'll get immediate replies. This Q&A feature is seldom seen.
jenrivers23
Salinas, CA
If we go up to Nevada Falls, can we return via John Muir Trail?
jenrivers23
Salinas, CA
Is it currently open? I’d heard it was closed. If so, is it dangerous going back down Mist?
breezy135
Washington19 contributions
We are doing the mist trail on Saturday and don’t want it to be too crowded. If we take the shuttle at 7 AM is it going to be pretty busy? Or should we park and Walk the extra mile to the trailhead? Thanks!!
PacificNWFamily
Washington State100,779 contributions
Hi
The Yosemite forum is very active. Questions are answered the same day. This Q&A feature has few readers.
In spring, getting on the first shuttle of the day is usually a good idea. If you prefer an earlier start, using the Hikers Parking Lot past Curry Village / HalfDomeVillage is the closest parking to Happy Isles. However, driving out of the Valley at the end of the day will be very challenging & slow due to the traffic. Saturday is the busiest day of the week in Yosemite Valley.
There are maps linked to the Top Questions on the right side of the Yosemite forum page.
Is this trail crowded in the early morning in may?
PacificNWFamily
Washington State100,779 contributions
Yes. The Mist Trail is the most popular trail in the Valley. If you can begin the hike very early, it will be less crowded.
Coming down the John Muir Trail is usually easier and less crowded.
breezy135
Washington19 contributions
We plan on doing this hike on Saturday morning around 6:30am, is there anywhere to park near the trail head or do you have to take a shuttle? And if so how early do the shuttles start?
Thanks!!
kstellla
United States21 contributions
Yes, there is parking, however it’s not right in front of the entrance. Not too far, but not too close. Shuttles do run everywhere in the valley section. I remember ditching the shuttle ideas due to its start time. I think it started running at 8:00a.
Alain
Pescantina, Italy13 contributions
hello!first of all do you suggest me to visit yosemite at the end of april or is it too early? is it possible to hike this trail at the end of april? what else could i see in yosemite park in this period?
PacificNWFamily
Washington State100,779 contributions
Hi
Rather than this Q&A for a trail in Yosemite, I recommend that you participate on the TripAdvisor Yosemite NP forum page. The Top Questions on the Yosemite page include information about Planning a spring visit, What to do in Yosemite Valley, Maps, and more.
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Claim your listingMIST TRAIL: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Mist Trail
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Mist Trail:
- Yosemite National Park & Giant Sequoias 2-Day Semi-Guided Tour (From ₱15,455.35)
- Yosemite Valley Private Hiking Tour (From ₱19,388.43)
- Yosemite Day Hike from Glacier Point Including Panorama Trail (From ₱22,158.21)
- Yosemite Mist Trail and Nevada Fall Loop Private Day Hike (From ₱19,388.43)
- Full-Day Private Tour and Hike in Yosemite National Park (From ₱32,501.11)
- Hotels near Mist Trail:
- (1.48 km) Curry Village
- (2.23 km) Housekeeping Camp
- (1.43 km) Lower Pines Campground
- (1.55 km) North Pines Campground
- (14.70 km) Yosemite Gateway/Horse Ranch Cottage/Outdoor SoakingTub & Shower/Views/Trails
- Restaurants near Mist Trail:
- (1.42 km) Curry Village Dining Pizza Deck
- (2.34 km) The Ahwahnee Dining Room
- (1.41 km) Curry Village Dining
- (2.31 km) Ahwahnee Hotel Bar
- (3.16 km) Degnan's Kitchen