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)

Tonight
Clear, with a low around 37. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the evening.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 55. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the morning.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 37. East northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 57. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 61. East northeast wind around 5 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Northwest wind around 10 mph becoming east northeast in the evening.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 62. Northeast wind around 10 mph becoming west in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 46. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Sunday
A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Sunny, with a high near 64. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 47. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east northeast in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Monday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 64. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 49. West wind around 10 mph becoming east northeast in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.