Yosemite Valley is home to more than 25 rushing waterfalls, but few are as powerful and memorable as Vernal Fall. This wonderful waterfall releases a cooling mist to all the visitors who hike to its base, or summit, via the Mist Trail. A year round splendid mixture of granite and water makes this 318 foot waterfall a must see.
Vernal Fall is a 318 foot waterfall, located in Yosemite National Park, that can be hiked to via the difficult Misty Trail. Leaving from Happy Isles trailhead, hiking Vernal Fall will take 3-5 hours round trip and offers some of the most spectacular year round views in Yosemite Valley. Yup, that is right, Vernal Fall flows year round, with its strongest flow during the spring season.
Read on to discover where Vernal Fall is at, the best season to visit Vernal Fall as well as how to hike to the top, and the best places to see Vernal Fall.
Water plunging over the lip of Vernal Fall in Yosemite National Park. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
WHERE IS VERNAL FALL?
Vernal Fall is located 2.4 miles along the Mist Trail when hiking from Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley. This very popular hike offers spectacular, up-close views Vernal Fall and is a must see for all visitors of Yosemite Valley.
CLICK HERE to discover which waterfall is Vernal Fall
BEST SEASON FOR VERNAL FALL:
The best season to watch Vernal Fall is during the spring months, because the flow will be at its strongest. However, this popular Yosemite waterfall runs year round, even during the winter.
Spring time has the highest flow
Summer time is great because the mist while hiking the iconic Mist Trail will cool you down
BEST PLACES TO SEE VERNAL FALL:
Vernal Fall is an awe inspiring waterfall to watch upclose, or from afar. If you would like to get intimate with Vernal Fall, I suggest hiking the Mist Trail to get up close and personal with this misty falls. If you would like to see Vernal Fall from afar and understand how it is woven into the landscape, I suggest checking Vernal Fall out from Glacier Point or the John Muir Trail.
Hiking the Mist Trail
Hiking the John Muir Trail
CAN YOU HIKE TO VERNAL FALL?
Hiking to Vernal Falls is a difficult and often wet 2.4 mile hike that acsends 1000 feet from Yosemite Valley via the Mist Trail. Often taking hikers 2-3 hours to complete this hike, Vernal Fall is well worth the challenge.
Quick details on hiking to Vernal Fall:
Distance: 2.4 mi (3.9 km) round trip (via Mist Trail)
Elevation gain: 1000 ft (300 m)
Difficulty: Strenuous
Time: 3 hours
FUN FACTS ABOUT VERNAL FALL
Just below the frothy Nevada fall is Vernal Fall. The first of the waterfalls in the legendary Mist Trail. Especially in the spring, you’ll truly understand why this hike is called the “Mist Trail.” In short, be sure to bring a raincoat even if it’s sunny. These two mighty waterfalls form a cascade in which the Merced River flows down into the valley and create what is called the “giant staircase.”
Total Height of Vernal Fall: 317 feet
Vernal Fall is the 860th tallest waterfall in the world
Atop Vernal Fall there is a chain of pools you can swim in
The Vernal Fall hike is the shortest waterfall hike in Yosemite
Vernal Fall flows year round
An icy Vernal Fall flowing during the winter in Yosemite Valley, CA. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Now that you have discovered where Vernal Fall is at, the best season to visit Vernal Fall as well as how to hike to the top, and the best places to see Vernal Fall it is your turn to check out this magnificent Yosemite Valley waterfall. If this blog helped you out, please leave a comment below. Additionally, if you know of some other helpful information others should know about Vernal Fall, please let them know in the comments below!
