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
A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 58. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight
A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 44. West northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 45. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 64. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 46. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east northeast after midnight.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 63. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 44. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 58. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Wednesday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the morning.
Wednesday Night
A 20 percent chance of rain. Snow level 8300 feet lowering to 7300 feet after midnight . Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday
A 20 percent chance of rain. Snow level 7000 feet rising to 7600 feet in the afternoon. Partly sunny, with a high near 48. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.