Following on to the recent trip to the US National Park (1), this time we would like to introduce the Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall, a stunning Yosemite trail for intermediate players.
The best season of hiking comes in autumn.
Summer vacation is over and you're feeling calmer in Yosemite National Park. The weather is also wonderful, and it's a great time to visit because it's free.
If you are planning to go, want to go, or are interested in hiking, please take a look.
Please refer to the previous article for information on how to get to Yosemite
This trail is a very enjoyable course for those who love hiking. And although I'm not good at serious hiking, I want to walk a little in nature! This is the perfect place for those who are looking for such a thing. This is because you can select a destination that will serve as a viewpoint based on your individual level.
It's actually a very popular course. There are plenty of highlights here, and just walking along this trail will make you feel like you've been able to enjoy the great nature of Yosemite.
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Introduction to the hiking trail
This trail has three highlights and destinations within the trail, making it a great feature that you can decide your own destination based on your level and mood, making it easy to choose the distance and level for hiking.
Destination 1: Vernal Fall Footbridge
2.6km round trip from the trailhead, 1-2 hours
Although there is a slope, the distance is short and it is easy to go to, just like a walk.
Recommended for those who have limited time to stay or want to walk quickly closer.
Destination 2: Top of Vernal Fall
If you see Vernal Fall in front of you at Footbridge, your destination, you'll definitely want to go up to that top.
The trail that leads to you is very beautiful and unique. For more details, please see the explanation on Mist Trail later.
Destination 3: Top of Nevada Fall
This hiking trail has a solid slope and a sense of accomplishment. The course is for those with healthy legs who walk steadily. This trail has a spectacular view, with rivers, waterfalls, greenery.
How to get to Vernal Fall Nevada Fall
There is a parking lot near the trailhead, but there are limited parking spaces available, and the parking will fill up quickly unless it is early in the morning, so we recommend taking the shuttle bus to the trailhead. (This is because it is a parking space used by hikers and rock climbers climbing the Half Dome, so it fills up quickly in the morning.) If you still want to go by car, you can park on the Trailhead Parking, which is located between shuttle bus #15 #16.
There is a free shuttle bus in Yosemite National Park that operates from 7am to 10pm at night, with bus stops 1 to 21am in one-way order of number. Once you pass stop 21, you will return to stop 1 again. .
If you park your car at Day Parking in front of the Village Store or at parking near Yosemite Valley Lodge, you will use the shuttle bus to travel to #16.
Get off the shuttle bus at #16 and walk a little further along the direction of the bus, you will find a bridge called Happy Isles Bridge that takes you to the beautiful Mercede River. Cross the bridge and head to the right to finally arrive at the trail entrance. Incidentally, this trail has two toilets available in the trail.
Highlights of Vernal Fall Nevada Fall
Mist Trail (Footbridge ~ Vernal Fall)
Once you have passed the first destination, "Footbridge," the next trail will continue to the top of Vernal Fall. (There is a fork along the way, but head towards the Mist Trail)
It is called the "Mist Trail," and as the name suggests, mists from the waterfall fly through the waterfall envelop the area in a welcoming way to the hikers. That's why it's called the Mist Trail.
Depending on the high water flow and weather conditions, it can get soaked, so this is the only place where waterproof rain gear can be used during the trail.
Because mists always surround you, depending on the time of day, rainbow arches can form along the trail or around the foot of the waterfall. As the sun goes down in the afternoon, a rainbow will form depending on the angle of the light, making it very fantastic. It's definitely a sight that's perfect for Instagram.
Once you've passed the Mist Trail and reach the top of Vernal Fall, take a break there.
There is also a flat space above the waterfall where you can sit and relax, and many hikers should be taking the same rest.
Vernal Fall ~ Nevada Fall
Once the break is over, we finally set off for Nevada Fall.
Just like before, the path is relatively easy to walk to the foot of Nevada Falls, but the final staircase leading to Nevada Falls is also inclined, making it quite tight. This is the last sprint where you can only try hard.
But once you climb, you'll see a spectacular view, so let's go! !
You will walk along the beautiful waterfall on your right, and for the last 30 minutes you will be struggling with the staircase of the challenge.
Once you pass that, the finish line is right in front of you.
There is a sign that runs up the stone stairs and is a fork.
Go right there to the top of Nevada Fall, and go left to find a bathroom, and behind it is a trail leading to the Half Dome. (You will need permission to climb to the half dome) so be sure to go right.
Go to the right and you'll reach the top of Nevada Fall. It's worth the effort, and there are spectacular views. There is a large flat area around, and it's incredible that such a space is above the waterfall. Find your favorite place and enjoy a break in the wilderness.
If you are planning to have lunch at the top of Nevada Fall and are walking, I think it will be time for lunch at the top of Nevada Fall, leaving the trailhead around 9am to 10am.
On the way back, it was a different course...
Once you have taken a good break, it's time to descend the mountain.
There is no climb on the way back, so it's easy, but even so, be careful about your feet and get off.
In fact, this can be said for the trip, but there are two courses to reach the summit of Nevada Fall.
There are plenty of highlights, so I would definitely recommend that you climb the route as explained so far.
Since I'm here, I'll introduce you to another course on the way home.
Return: Nevada Fall ~Clark Point~ (John Muir Trail)
If you walk to the left (in the opposite direction to the person you came) towards the waterfall, you will find a sign that connects the John Muir Trail. Red dotted line at the bottom of the photo. The return journey takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. The slope is looser than the one I've taken to, and there's no doubt that the hiking level is gentler and easier.
After a while after starting down, you will encounter a small waterfall. Since you'll pass right next to it, just like the Mist Trail you'll have to go to, and walk using a waterproof jacket or something similar, just like the one you'll be able to get wet.
But that's also a fun thing to do during the hike. Feel the bounty of nature with your body.
After that, if you go further down, you will arrive at a viewpoint called "Clark Point," which was located just before the Mist Trail. If you go left, you will return to the same path you came, and from there you will return to the trailhead you went to in the morning and bus stop #16.
(Note: On the way back, you can use the John Muir Trail, which is different from the one you head to, making it a gentle and easy hiking trail, but you cannot see the sight of the rainbow shining on the Mist Trail from this trail. If you want to see the Mist Trail covered in a rainbow, please use the same course as the one you head to. It will usually start in the afternoon, and you may not be able to see it, but as the sun goes down, a rainbow will form depending on the angle of the light, which is very fantastic.)
This is the introduction to the Bernal Falls and Nevada Falls Trail, a rainbow trail in Yosemite National Park.
There is a world that can only be seen by walking, for those who love nature, those who love moving their bodies. Please try hiking and experience the great nature of Yosemite National Park.
If you would like to enjoy the great nature of Yosemite National Park or if you are thinking of sightseeing in Yosemite National Park, please feel free to contact us. We will help you enjoy the majestic land of America within a limited time.
Kato Sayaka
