Vernal Falls - California Waterfalls; Yosemite Natl. Park, Yosemite Village-hike/trail/map/directions

Vernal Falls is one of my favourite waterfalls in Yosemite National Park. What I love so much about Vernal Falls is how smooth Merced River flows over the rock ledge, and yet the waterfall is 80 ft. wide. The waterfall is incredibly picturesque.

On the hike up to the falls, you will get quite wet on the infamous Mist Trail even in the summer, so bring rain gear. The hike itself is a wonderful experience, as you climb up a stair ledge, right beside Vernal Falls. It is perhaps the best waterfall hike in the country, the only drawback is the large number of people on the trail (I recommend going in the early morning). However, it is not a particularly easy hike, as you gain 1000 ft. just up to the top of Vernal Falls. The Mist Trail is closed in winter months from the junction of the John Muir Trail just past the Vernal Falls bridge.

There are great views from the top as you stand beside Vernal Falls. For a more strenuous hike from here, you can continue up to the top of Nevada Falls, another highly recommended hike.

2 Miles SSW Yosemite CA (Elev. 6365 ft)

Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. East southeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday
Rain, mainly after 4pm. Snow level 7400 feet. High near 51. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday Night
Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Snow level 7300 feet rising to 8100 feet after midnight. Low around 35. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Saturday
Rain before 1pm, then rain and snow. Snow level 7600 feet lowering to 7100 feet in the afternoon . High near 37. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Saturday Night
Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 10pm. Low around 27. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Sunday
Snow likely before 4pm, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Sunday Night
A chance of rain and snow before 10pm, then snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Monday
Snow likely before 10am, then rain and snow likely. Snow level rising to 6900 feet in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday Night
Rain and snow likely. Snow level 6700 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday
Rain and snow. Snow level 6600 feet. High near 35. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night
Rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Wednesday
A 40 percent chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 37. East wind around 5 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon.