Warning: Your browser appears to have Javascript disabled. In order to use some features of Hiking Trailhead successfully, such as this one, you'll need to enable Javascript.

Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls Trail

Name: Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls Trail
Rating: 5.00

Type: Trail

Length: 10.40 Miles

Elevation Gain: 2000 Feet

Cost: N/A

Rating:

(5.00)2

Difficulty: 4stars

(4.00)

Solitude:

(3.00)

ADA Accessible: No

Bikes Allowed: No

Dogs Allowed: N/A

Interpretive Guide: No

County: Mariposa

More Information: More Info

Log Your Hike

Map

Topo maps provided by MyTopo.com (buy now!) Map Logo

Larger Map

Download

Order a topo map

Coppertone stops for a rest and photo with Vernal Falls.

One of the signature hikes in Yosemite National Park, this trail ascends the grand staircase past Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. From the trailhead the first segment of trail is entirely paved, which should make things a bit easier on those not used to much hiking. However, the trail is also quite steep at times and it's common to see people stopping on the side of the trail trying to catch their breath before continuing uphill.

Nevada Falls seen from the John Muir Trail on the way back.

The endpoint for those not looking to reach the waterfalls is the Vernal Fall Bridge crossing. Here the trail passes over the Merced River as it crashes around large boulders in the riverbed. In the distance upstream there are nice, but distant views of Vernal Falls. From this point on the going gets rougher and more tiring. The final trail segments prior to Vernal Falls involve countless steps. It's a real stairmaster workout.

Once atop Vernal Falls there are excellent spots to stop for lunch along the river. Squirrels and Steller's Jays are ever interested in what you have to eat. The trail crosses the river once more at the Silver Apron Bridge, where one can spy the next goal, Nevada Falls.

Looking from the Merced River Bridge over Nevada Falls as it crashes into the canyon below.

The trail up to Nevada Falls on its north side is the trickiest of the hike. There are more steps but the steps are a bit more rough and uneven than even the steps leading up to Vernal Falls. The extra fatigue from earlier efforts may also play a part in making this part of the hike harder. The terrain here is a chaotic jumble of rock on all sides, the remnants of a rock slide some time in the past.

After passing through a slot the trail intersects with the John Muir Trail. Turn right here to head to Nevada Falls. The vegetation gives way to a wide expanse of solid rock at the top of Nevada Falls. That provides hikers who stop here plenty of space on which to spread out. Despite a large number of people present you will not feel as crowded in as at Vernal Falls below.

There is a small bridge at the top of the falls to cross the river once more, continuing on the John Muir Trail as it begins its long descent. When the trail reaches the intersection with the Mist Trail turn left to rejoin the paved path and follow it back to the trailhead.

Photos

Liberty Cap as seen from the top of Nevada Falls. (Photo by coppertone)

The John Muir Trail has plenty of switchbacks on the way down, but fewer stairs. It was a welcome change. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

Pictured here from left to right are Half Dome, Liberty Cap and Nevada Falls. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

Coppertone and me on the John Muir Trail after having visited Nevada Falls here in the background. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

Coppertone descends down the canyon the John Muir Trail. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

The bridge above Nevada Falls that crosses the Merced River, saving hikers from a potentially deadly crossing. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

From atop Nevada Falls looking down to the water crashing below. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

Looking down canyon from the top of Nevada Falls. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

Coppertone looks pleased to almost be at the top of Nevada Falls. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

Yet more stairs to get to Nevada Falls, this time a bit rockier than earlier. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

The top of Nevada Falls is our goal for today, still a bit more climbing to go. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

Crossing the Merced River on the Silver Apron Bridge. Note Nevada Falls in the background. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

Only showing last 12 photos. View All Photos

Log Entries

Signature hike in Yosemite National Park
By Austin Explorer on 10/10/2018
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 10.40 Miles Duration: 6 hours, 24 minutes

Coppertone and I figured this would be one of the longer hikes we'd partake on this trip, but it turned out to be longer than expected. We're not quite sure where the mileage in the guidebooks comes from.

The trail leading up to the Vernal Falls bridge is steep, but paved, which makes for easier going. Still, we found many folks stopped by the side of the trail even at this early a juncture stopping to catch their breath. Truth be told, we stopped a couple of times ourselves.

The view from the Vernal Falls bridge is worth the outing itself.

From this point on the trail starts to get rougher and tougher. Along the Mist Trail (a moniker not as apt during the dryer fall months) the terrain turns to steps. Lots and lots of steps. While stopping for your breath you can enjoy eve changing viewpoints of Vernal Falls as it gets closer and closer.

The last segment of trail to get to the top of Vernal Falls was a narrow passageway with a rock wall on one side and a metal railing on the other. The width here is barely enough (and often not) for two people to pass each other. Emptying out on top a solid rock surface lets people spread out and get a closer look at the falls as they tumble down.

Just a bit upstream we found a great spot next to the water to stop for lunch and rest.

Continuing uphill we marhed on to Nevada Falls and encountered yet more steps. The steps here are a bit more chaotic and non-uniform that those leading up to Vernal Falls. The path seems to be set in a large rockfall, just rocks and boulders everywhere. These segments really drained us of energy.

Once out of the rockfall trail the path meets up with the John Muir Trail and things turn up a bit easier. From here it's a bit of a downslope to get to the top of Nevada Falls, where again a solid rock surface allows the large number of lingering hikers to spread out a bit and soak up the Sun and views.

A small bridge crosses the Merced River that feeds the falls and several NPS workers were in the process of repairing some of the rock mortared to the bases of the bridge.

The John Muir Trail continues to descend from there, hugging a sheer rock face with an impressive safety rock wall on the opposite side. Be sure to look back for more views of Nevada Falls as you descend.

Very tiring day
By coppertone on 10/10/2018
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 10.40 Miles Duration: N/A

Hiked with Austin Explorer