Can you die without walking? Journey to the US National Park (2) Yosemite Trail with a Rainbow "Vernal Fall Nevada Fall"

Written by Sayaka Kato

Following on from our recent trip to America's national parks (1), this time we will introduce Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls, two spectacular trails in Yosemite for intermediate hikers

Autumn is the best season for hiking

Summer vacation is over and things are settling back down in Yosemite National Park. The weather is great, and it's quiet, so it's the perfect time to visit

If you are planning to go, would like to go, or are interested in hiking, please use this as a reference

Please refer to the previous article information on how to get to Yosemite

This trail is a great course for those with good walking skills who love hiking. It is also a great place for those who are not good at full-scale hiking but want to take a short walk in nature. This is because you can choose a viewpoint destination that suits your individual level

It's actually a very popular trail. There's plenty to see here, and just walking along this trail will make you feel like you've fully experienced the natural beauty of Yosemite

table of contents

Hiking course introduction
How to get to Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls
Highlights of Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls

Hiking course introduction

This trail has three points of interest and destinations, allowing you to decide which destination suits your level and mood, and it's great that you can easily choose the distance and level of your hike

Destination 1: Vernal Fall Footbridge

2.6km round trip from trailhead, 1-2 hours

Although there is a slope, the distance is short and it is a place you can easily go to as if you were taking a walk

This is recommended for those who have limited time to stay or who want to quickly walk to nearby attractions

Destination 2: Top of Vernal Fall

4.8km round trip from trailhead, 2-4 hours

Once you see Vernal Falls right in front of you at Footbridge, your first destination, you'll definitely want to go all the way to the top

The trail to get there offers beautiful and unique scenery, which will be explained in more detail later in the Mist Trail section

Destination 3: Top of Nevada Fall

11km round trip from trailhead, 4-5 hours

This hiking trail has a steep gradient and leaves you with a sense of accomplishment. It is a course for those with good walking ability. The trail offers spectacular views of rivers, waterfalls, and greenery

How to get to Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls

There is a parking lot near the trailhead, but the spaces are limited and fill up quickly unless you come early in the morning, so we recommend taking the shuttle bus to the trailhead. (This is because the parking lot is also used by hikers and rock climbers going up to Half Dome, so it fills up quickly in the morning.) If you still want to go by car, you can park at the Trailhead Parking, located between shuttle buses #15 and #16, if there is space available

Yosemite National Park has a free shuttle bus that operates from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, traveling one way between bus stops 1 and 21 in numerical order. After passing stop 21, the bus returns to stop 1

If you park your car in the Day Parking in front of the Village Store or in a parking lot near Yosemite Valley Lodge, you can take a shuttle bus to #16

Get off the shuttle bus at stop #16 and walk a short distance in the direction the bus is going. You will come across the Happy Isles Bridge over the beautiful Merced River. Cross the bridge and turn right to finally arrive at the trailhead. By the way, there are also two restrooms along the trail

Highlights of Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls

Mist Trail (Footbridge to Vernal Fall)

After passing the first destination, "Footbridge," the trail continues up to the top of Vernal Falls. (There is a fork in the trail, but take the Mist Trail.)

The trail is called the "Mist Trail," and as the name suggests, the mist from the waterfall envelops the area, welcoming hikers as they walk along. That's why it's called the Mist Trail

Depending on the water level and weather conditions, you may get soaked, so this is the only place on the trail where waterproof rain gear comes in handy

The mist that surrounds the area constantly creates rainbow arches along the trail and around the base of the waterfall, depending on the time of day. As the sun sets in the afternoon, the angle of the light creates a rainbow, creating a truly magical sight. It's definitely an Instagram-worthy sight

Once you reach the top of Vernal Falls via the Mist Trail, take a break

There is also a flat area above the waterfall where you can sit and relax, and you will likely see many hikers taking a break there as well

Vernal Fall to Nevada Fall

After the break, it's time to head to Nevada Falls

The path to the base of Nevada Falls is relatively easy, just like the previous steps, but the final steps leading up to Nevada Falls are quite steep and require a final sprint

But once you reach the top, a spectacular view awaits, so let's go!!

You will walk while looking at a beautiful waterfall on your right, and the last 30 minutes or so will be a series of challenging stairs

Once you get past that point, the finish line is right in front of you

Once you reach the top of the stone stairs, there is a sign indicating a fork in the road

If you go right there, you'll reach the top of Nevada Falls, and if you go left, you'll find a restroom, and behind that is a trail that leads to Half Dome. (You need a permit to climb Half Dome, so be sure to go right.)

If you go to the right, you'll reach the top of Nevada Falls. It's well worth the effort, as you'll be rewarded with a spectacular view. There's a wide, flat area around the falls, and it's hard to believe there's such a large space above them. Find your favorite spot and enjoy a break in the great outdoors

If you plan to have lunch at the top of Nevada Falls, I think you should leave the trailhead around 9:00-10:00 in the morning to have lunch at the top of Nevada Falls

On the way back, I took a different route..

After a good rest, it's time to head down the mountain

There is no climbing on the way back, so it is easier, but you should still be careful where you step when descending

Actually, there are two routes to the top of Nevada Falls, which is also true for the way there

There are plenty of things to see, so we recommend climbing the mountain using the route we have explained so far

Since we're here, we'll introduce you to a different course on the way back

Return: Nevada Falls - Clark Point - (John Muir Trail)

If you walk towards the waterfall to the left (in the opposite direction from where you came), you will see a sign that leads to the John Muir Trail. The red dotted line is at the bottom of the photo. The return trip takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. The gradient is gentler than the trail you took on the way there, and the hiking level is definitely easier

Shortly after starting to descend, you will come across a small waterfall. You will pass right next to it, so just like on the Mist Trail on the way up, you should be prepared to get wet and use a waterproof jacket

But that's also part of the fun of hiking. Feel the blessings of nature with your body

If you continue downhill, you will arrive at a viewpoint called "Clark Point," which is just before the Mist Trail. If you turn left there, you will return to the same path you came on, and from there you can return to the trailhead and bus stop #16 that you came from that morning

(Note: On the way back, you can take the John Muir Trail, which is a different trail from the one you took on the way there. It's a gentler, easier hike, but you won't be able to see the rainbow over the Mist Trail from this trail. If you want to see the Mist Trail with a rainbow, take the same trail back down. It's usually in the afternoon, and although you can't always see it, as the sun goes down in the afternoon, the angle of the light creates a rainbow, which is a truly magical sight.)

Above, we have introduced the Vernal Falls & Nevada Falls Trail, a trail in Yosemite National Park where a rainbow can be seen

If you love nature or enjoy physical activity, there is a world that can only be seen by walking. Come experience the great outdoors of Yosemite National Park through hiking

If you would like to enjoy the natural beauty of Yosemite National Park or are considering visiting Yosemite National Park, please contact us. We will help you enjoy the majestic American landscape even within a limited time

Kato Sayaka

Leave your Yosemite hiking to us. Influenced by my father, I've always loved outdoor activities, and while living in Japan, I started hiking and touring national parks, which fascinated me with the natural beauty of America and Canada, which ultimately led me to my dream of visiting America. I now run ANAMI TOURS, which offers local optional tours created together with customers, such as completely private hiking tours with Japanese guides. I'll introduce you to special options that I know only because I live in the area. If you're interested, please visit the website below

ANAMI TOURS https://www.anamitours.com/