: The most beautiful waterfall hike in Yosemite National Park—so glad I finally hiked up to the top of Vernal Falls via the Mist Trail, and let me tell you, the views were absolutely worth a sore leg! It’s a 3.1-mile round-trip with an elevation gain of 1131 ft. While many stop at the Vernal Fall Bridge (about 0.8 miles one way), I pushed on to till the Nevada Fall viewpoint. It took me about 2 hours to reach the top of Vernal Falls—complete with plenty of photo stops—and roughly 1 hour on the way back. The trail section after the Vernal Falls Bridge—what they call the Mist Trail—is a wild ride with super steep, slippery steps, constant mist, and a seriously wet surface. So, word to the wise: be extra careful out there! Since I started early (around 9am), I managed to get a parking spot at the trailhead, and the trail was pleasantly less crowded until I headed back. Just a heads up—when I was returning, the park closed the Mist Trail for visitors, so always double-check the website for any closures before your visit. Hike Details: • Distance: 3.1 miles round-trip • Elevation Gain: 1131 ft (moderate to hard hike) • Timing: ~Around 3 to 4 hours, out and back • Trail Conditions: Super steep, wet, and misty steps past the Vernal Falls Bridge. Wear waterproof shoes and Jackets. • Parking: Limited parking at the trailhead, use park shuttle. • Tip: Always check the park website for any trail closures. Follow along as I share more beautiful hikes and views from my Yosemite spring visit and other scenic spots around the Bay Area! #yosemite #yosemite_national_park #vernalfalls #misttrail #waterfallhike #sfbayarea #yosemitehikes #igspringaura