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
Sunny, with a high near 43. Wind chill values as low as 26. East wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 27. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 50. Wind chill values as low as 23 early. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the morning.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 53. Calm wind becoming west southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. West southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Light and variable wind becoming west southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Calm wind becoming west southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 41. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 61. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 44. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the morning.