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 69. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 53. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 70. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 51. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 61. Breezy, with a southwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 41. South southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Monday
A 20 percent chance of rain after 11am. Snow level 7500 feet. Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Breezy, with a southwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Monday Night
A chance of rain before 11pm, then a chance of rain and snow between 11pm and 2am, then a chance of snow after 2am. Snow level 7500 feet lowering to 6400 feet after midnight . Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tuesday
A chance of snow before 2pm, then a chance of rain showers. Some thunder is also possible. Partly sunny, with a high near 40. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night
A slight chance of rain, mixing with snow after 8pm, then gradually ending. Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 50. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. West wind around 5 mph becoming east northeast in the evening.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 55. Light and variable wind becoming west southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.