Sierra Nevada - Yosemite National Park

I first visited Vernal Falls in Yosemite National Park in July 1957 on a backpack trip while I was in the Navy. I visited/viewed it on several subsequent trips.

Vernal Falls is a 317-foot waterfall on the Merced River just downstream of Nevada Fall. Like its upstream neighbor, Vernal Falls is clearly visible at a distance, from Glacier Point, as well as close up, along the Mist Trail. The waterfall flows all year long, although by the end of summer it is substantially reduced in volume and can split into multiple strands, rather than a single curtain of water.

Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls from Washburn Point - Yosemite National Park - 24 Jun 2006

Vernal Falls from Washburn Point - Yosemite National Park - 24 Jun 2006

Yan-o-pah (little cloud) was the local name of the falls before it was named "Vernal"- meaning relating to Spring - by Lafayette Bunnell, a member of the Mariposa Battalion in 1851.

NPS Map of Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls trails

The Mist trail begins at the Happy Isles trail head in Yosemite Valley and travels generally east-southeast. This is one of the shortest (1.3 mile) and most popular trails in Yosemite.

The trail is mostly shaded and is progressive in incline until it reaches the base of the waterfall where mist sprays onto the hikers.

At times of high flow, mostly in the spring, hikers may be drenched by the time they pass the mist from the waterfall. The final 15 minutes of the trail is a very steep climb up rocks to the top of the waterfall.

Once atop the falls there is a pool of water called the Emerald Pool around which hikers lounge and rest. There is also a 20 degree slope of rock with water flowing into the pool called the Silver Apron.