Vernal Fall

Vernal Fall is a powerful 317-foot plunge waterfall on the Merced River, framed by sheer granite walls polished smooth by millennia of glacial action. In peak spring flow, the cascade is so forceful that it generates a perpetual cloud of mist that drenches hikers on the legendary Mist Trail, creating ephemeral rainbows that dance in the spray. The emerald-green Emerald Pool sits at the top of the fall, an impossibly scenic reward for those who make the climb.

The Mist Trail to the top of Vernal Fall is one of Yosemite's most iconic hikes. The 3-mile round trip gains about 1,000 feet of elevation, with the final push consisting of over 600 granite steps carved into the cliff beside the thundering waterfall. During peak flow, these steps are soaked in spray, creating a refreshing but slippery ascent. The roar of the water beside you is exhilarating, and the views back down into Yosemite Valley from the top are spectacular.

Visit from late April through June for maximum flow, when the Mist Trail truly earns its name. By midsummer the waterfall mellows considerably, and by September it may be a mere ribbon. Weekends in May draw enormous crowds, so arrive before 8 AM or visit midweek. The Mist Trail is closed in winter when ice makes the granite steps treacherous.