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
Rain and snow showers, becoming all snow after 11am. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. High near 36. Wind chill values as low as 21. Breezy, with a west southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.
Tonight
Snow showers before 8pm, then snow, mainly after 8pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 21. West southwest wind 10 to 15 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.
Tuesday
Snow, mainly after 11am. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 28. Wind chill values as low as 17. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 7 to 11 inches possible.
Tuesday Night
Snow, mainly before 11pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 19. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
Wednesday
A 20 percent chance of snow after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 21. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday
A 20 percent chance of snow after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 37. Calm wind becoming west southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. West wind around 5 mph becoming east northeast in the evening.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 43. East northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the morning.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 28. West wind around 5 mph becoming east northeast after midnight.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 47. East northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 31. North wind around 5 mph becoming east northeast in the evening.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 51. East northeast wind around 5 mph.