The Traveling Swede

Travel, Outdoors & Adventure

Yosemite National Park, CA – Mist Trail

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After a great day along the Tioga Road I was on the road by 6 am so that I could beat the crowds as I figured I had at least an hour drive to Yosemite Valley from where I camped. The goal was to hike the Mist Trail and then make it to Glacier Point to watch the sunset. The last third of Tioga Road from the Yosemite Creek area and onward is more forest like and you don’t have the big domes, cliffs and panoramic views until you get out on Big Oak Flat Road, which leads to Yosemite Valley. There the panoramic views opens up again.

Sunrise with the Half Dome in the distance. This was my breakfast view.
Sunrise with the Half Dome in the distance. This was my breakfast view.
The drive along Big Oak Flat Rd is stunning.
The drive along Big Oak Flat Rd is stunning. Normal water years there’s a water fall right below. You can see a little bit of water stream.
Welcome to Yosemite Valley.
Welcome to Yosemite Valley.
One of the most beautiful granite walls in the world. El Capitan.
One of the most beautiful granite walls in the world. El Capitan.

I’m going to cover Yosemite Valley in another post but as you can see just on the two photos above the valley is incredible because instead of looking out over grand vistas you’re looking up. Until you hike high enough to see out over vistas again that is. Yosemite Valley is home to El Captain, The Cathedral and multiple waterfalls. I drove the entire circle enjoying the view, then grabbed a quick coffee in the village and after that set off to go for a hike.

In order to get to the trail head where Mist Trail starts you can park at Curry Village and take the shuttle or walk. It’s only about a mile walk from Curry Village to the trail head. There’s also a limited trail head parking closer to the trail head. I opted to walk. Nothing like a good warm up when you’re about to climb almost 1,900 ft in a few miles.

Let’s go for a hike up to Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall that lays along the Mist Trail.

Mist Trail is called that because of the mist that covers the trail from the water falls. Sadly due to a low snow year the trail wasn't misty at all this year.
Mist Trail is called that because of the mist that covers the trail from the water falls. Sadly due to a low snow year the trail wasn’t misty at all this year.
The first part of the trail is paved. It's quite steep and there are benches along the way for those that need to rest.
The first part of the trail is paved. It’s quite steep at times but there are places along the way for those that need to sit down and rest. The view was stunning and I almost wanted to walk backwards up the hill. Luckily you come back the same trail so you have the chance to see it twice.
After the paved area that goes to a view area where many turn around it continues up and up. At places it's so steep they have had to put stone stair cases in. Quite the work!
After the paved area that goes to a view area where many turn around it turns into more of a trail and continues up. At places they have had to put stone stair cases in to reduce erosion. Quite the work!
Welcome to Vernal Falls. It's quite impressive despite slow flow. You can see where the rock has blackened. That's the normal size of the fall. Wow!
Welcome to Vernal Fall. It’s quite impressive despite slow flow. You can see where the rock has blackened. That’s the normal size of the fall. Wow!
As you continue climbing up the trail you get a different view of Vernal Falls. I love waterfalls.
As you continue climbing up the trail you get a different view of Vernal Fall. I love waterfalls.
There were quite a few people along the paved trail but for each area fewer and fewer people continued. After Vernal Falls you could continue up. For some reason I didn't see a ton of people on this part.
There were quite a few people along the paved trail but for each viewing area fewer and fewer people continued. After Vernal Falls it gets steeper as the trail continues up.
Looking back down on the trail. I am so appreciative of the park workers that laid this trail so that I can enjoy hiking to amazing water falls. Without these rock stairs it would be quite the challenge to get up and down.
Looking back down on the trail. I am so appreciative of the park workers that laid this trail so that I can enjoy hiking to amazing water falls. Without the rock stairs it would be quite the challenge to get up and down.
Top of Vernal Fall. I love hiking up to the top and look down. Imagine this on a normal water year!
Top of Vernal Fall. I love hiking up to the top and look down. Imagine this on a normal water year!
A normal sized squirrel and cute bird. Along the trail people feed them (sadly) and they are three times the size.
A squirrel and cute bird. Along the trail people feed the squirrels so they are super tame and expect food. Unfortunately.
Continue up the trail towards the next fall and you get to the Emerald Pools. It's quite large. I was tempted to jump in but no swimming allowed.
Continue up the trail towards the next fall and you get to the Emerald Pools. It’s quite large. I was tempted to jump in but no swimming allowed.
Welcome to Nevada Fall. I had this entire area all to myself. Complete silence other than the sound of the fall. A perfect place for lunch. Ah, this is life!
Welcome to Nevada Fall. I had this entire area all to myself. Complete silence other than the sound of the fall. A perfect place for lunch. Ah, this is life!
After an amazing lunch at Vernal Fall it was time to head back down. The Mist Trail connects to the John Muir trail and continues on.
After an amazing lunch at Vernal Fall it was time to head back down. The Mist Trail connects to the John Muir trail and continues on.
The Mist Trail connects to a lot of different trails. Can't wait to come back and hike some more.
The Mist Trail connects to a lot of different trails. Can’t wait to come back and hike some more. Mount Whitney anyone?
The sad result of people feeding wildlife (which actually kills them slowly as they can't digest most human foods). This deer was completely tame and was walking around the parking lot. It didn't even more as I approached it with a camera.
The sad result of people feeding wildlife (which actually kills them slowly as they can’t digest most human foods). This deer was completely tame and was walking around the parking lot.

After my great hike to Vernal and Nevada Fall it was time to make my way to Glacier Point to watch the sunset. I had no idea what kind of treat I was about to encounter…

Comments

    • You’ve been in Colorado for a while now but it’s such a beautiful state and so much too see! Love following along. I loved your post on the Rocky Mountains. Glad you got a hike in before the crowds. I can’t wait to go there. Looking forward to more posts from there. So beautiful!

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