5th Day in the CA Sierra: Hiking Vernal and Nevada Falls
July 16, 2008 by betchaiVernal and Nevada Falls from Washburn Point
Yosemite is a huge natural park that it abounds with outdoor opportunities. Tourists can have so many ways of enjoying its natural wonders. Whether it be rock climbing, river rafting, biking, hiking, para-gliding, base jumping, fishing, swimming, skiing, horse back riding, and what else is there that man could think of. But for me, the best way to experience a natural park is by foot. Yosemite offers more than 800 miles of trails, from very easy to extremely strenuous. For this day, we decided to experience the power of the waterfalls. Since Yosemite is a waterfall country, there are too plenty of choices to choose from. At first, I considered hiking to Upper Yosemite Falls ( http://www.yosemitehikes.com/yosemite-valley/upper-yosemite-falls/upper-yosemite-falls.htm ), but decided instead to hike the friendlier and more shaded hike to Vernal and Nevada Falls (http://www.yosemitehikes.com/yosemite-valley/mist-trail/mist-trail.htm ). The total combined hiking distance for Vernal and Nevada falls is 7 miles round trip with 2000 ft elevation gain.
To Vernal Fall
Mist Spray from Vernal Fall
Vernal Fall is a 317 ft tall waterfall. It can be seen from afar with little hiking from Washburn or Glacier Point. However, seeing the waterfall from there is just too far. It can be best experienced hiking alongside this waterfall. The trailhead for Mist Trail is at Happy Isles. From Curry Village, we took the park’s free shuttle to stop 16, at Happy Isles. The trailhead is east of stop 16 across the bridge crossing the Merced River. It is not difficult to find the trailhead with too many others also hiking this trail, obviously, this is a very popular trail. But the crowd was progressively thinning out after the footbridge and after Vernal Fall. The trail to Vernal Fall meanders uphill through a thick forest along Merced River. Both Yosemite and Illouette Falls can be seen from afar at the trail to Vernal Falls. But the best way to experience Illouette Falls is by way of the Panorama trail, which also merges on this trail. After 0.8 mile hike and 400 ft elevation gain, we reached the footbridge, supposedly a viewpoint for Vernal Fall. However, the view of the waterfall at the footbridge is obstructed by the trees. I did not expect the view from here is that covered because any referral from a book or in the internet would always refer to this one as having an excellent view of the waterfall, but maybe, when those were written there were not a lot of grown trees yet that hid the view.
Partial Vernal Fall View from the Footbridge
There were a few we met in the trail who turned around from the Footbridge saying, “not worth it”, referring to the obstructed view they got at the Footbridge after probably a decent hike for them. Am sure, if they continued hiking to the waterfall, they would have an entirely different experience and will not turn around disappointed. But then, not a lot of people would want to labor for that priceless experience.
Vernal Fall with Rainbow at Base
For those who continued their hike to the Mist Trail, or even to the top of waterfall were surely rewarded by magnificent sight and unforgettable experience. First, the power of Vernal Fall sprays mist into the trail giving the hikers a nice cool shower. That “almost like taking a shower” experience as we climbed up the stairs cut into cliff was so much fun, being up close to the full power of Vernal Fall. Since I did not want to get wet (actually, I did not want my camera getting wet), I brought an extra light raincoat with me which was really very helpful. Then, there was a huge rainbow at the base of the waterfall. The wonderful gift of water and sun.The rainbow was actually almost circular from the side but too hard to take a picture of the almost complete circle rainbow when you are too close to the lower arch and my lens is not wide angled enough, plus the shower of the mist did not encourage me to take out the camera. I only pulled the camera out when we were already in the mist free trail. Then, there was the amazing sound of river and waterfalls that roar like thunder. It was really a great hike!
Rainbow below Vernal Fall
After hiking about 1.5 miles with 1,000 ft elevation gain, we reached the top of Vernal Fall. We followed the 500+ steps granite staircase that were cut into the edge of the cliff in the Mist Trail to bring us to the top of Vernal Fall. The trail was very slippery because of the powerful spraying of Vernal Fall, but we didn’t care, for it was adding fun to the hike.
Hikers on Mist Trail, Rainbow and Vernal Fall from the top
To Nevada Fall
From Vernal Fall, we proceeded to Nevada Fall, stopping at the Emerald Pool for a nice and cool break, to rest, enjoy the scenery, take pictures, and of course, to re-charge.
Emerald Pool and Liberty Cap, above Vernal Fall
The water at Emerald Pool looks very inviting, but we did not dare swim at all. I’ve read that fatal accidents in Yosemite are not from falling off the cliff but from braving or undermining the powerful currents of the river. After our nice cool rest by Emerald Pool, we continued our hike to Nevada Fall. Just a few yards above the Emerald Pool, there is another footbridge that we can look down and be amazed again by the extreme power of the water flow on Merced River.
The Power of Merced River, above Emerald Pool
In less than a mile from the Emerald Pool, we get a glimpse of another powerful waterfall, the Nevada Fall.
Nevada Fall
Nevada Fall is a powerul and beautiful 594 ft tall waterfall. From the top of Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall is about 1.3 miles hike with an additional elevation gain of 1000 ft to the top. It is just like climbing Vernal Fall again from the trailhead. After that view point for Nevada Fall, the trail meanders on exposed ridges of the cliff, just like in the Mist Trail, but with a higher drop this time. The slope of the trail to Nevada Fall is I think friendlier than Vernal Fall. But what made it seem more challenging was the trail is more open to the heat of the sun. Whereas the trail to Vernal Fall was mostly shaded.
Power of Nevada Fall
Power of Nevada Fall
At the top of Nevada Fall, we savor every moment while being there. The view at the top of Nevada Fall is really gorgeous, massive granite cliffs,
From the Top of Nevada Fall
the Merced River, the Nevada Fall itself,
Nevada Fall from the Top
and the glacial features of Liberty Cap and Half Dome.
Half Dome, Liberty Cap and Nevada Fall from John Muir Trail
What made staying at the top more special was listening at the roaring thunder produced by the falling water of Nevada Fall and looking at the waterfall from the top. Thankfully, they have rails to allow people to look down on the waterfall, watching the waterfall from the top was scary yet amazing.The last picture above was taken from John Muir trail, which was the trail we took on our way back to Happy Isles. And we’re going back to Happy Isles really happy, and I believe most of the other hikers too. It was another lovely day spent at Yosemite, that for now, I can just look at the pictures and dream again of going back, someday! Truly, hiking opens to you the beauty of our wonderful world we do not normally see from driving points.
For more hiking choices in Yosemite:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/valleyhikes.htm
http://blog.burnerphotography.com/2008/03/trail-recomendation-young-and-dog-lakes.html
















































































































































