Vernal Falls -

July 3, 2001

September 24, 2008

Vernal Falls, 2001

Sharp-eyed readers will recognize one the pictures, above, as part of the montage at the top of the page. Vernal Falls is one of the premier hikes in Yosemite Valley. I have had occasion to make the hike twice, once on my initial visit in 2001 with my Aunt and Cousins on the Rafting Trip and again in early Fall, 2008. Definitely more water in July than in September. But Vernal Falls was one of the few Falls that actually had some water flowing in Fall, 2008. For an added bonus the trailhead was within walking distance of my campsite, only about 1/4 to 1/2 mile away.

In 2001, my cousin Malia and I made the hike up the Mist Trail together to the top of the Falls. This is the more scenic of the 2 routes one can take to reach the top; however, it is quite rocky and resembles a very long and steep staircase. I remembered it being hard on the knees both going up and coming down. It was also quite crowded. In 2008, I took the second route, the John Muir Trail. From that Trail, you cannot see the Falls as you climb up about 1000 feet from the bridge to Clark Point. Prior to the Bridge, you gain about 400 feet in elevation as you climb from the trailhead to the bridge.

Downhill View from the Bridge, Vernal Falls, 2001

At Clark Point, you can either descend down a path to Vernal Falls or continue on to Nevada Falls. Initally, Nevada Falls had my destination but I chose Vernal Falls on this day. As it turns out, I made a wise choice. On the return trip down the John Muir Trail to the Bridge, my lower legs and feet became quite painful for some reason and I was limping when I finally made it back to the trailhead. The trail from Clark Point down to the area at the top of Vernal Falls was about 3/4 of a mile, all downhill, which meant that if I were to return by the same path (which I'd chosen to do as well because the Mist Trail was not kind to the knees) I would be climbing uphill for this portion of the hike.

At the top of the Falls is a small point called Emerald Pool. In 2001, I remember swimming in that Pool and I'd been looking forward to the same in 2008. However, in the intervening 7 years the Park Service had made the decision to disallow swimming in this Pool. So, instead of swimming, all of the people at the top (and there were quite a lot of us including a couple of classes of schoolkids) sat on various rocks and boulders around the Pool - I ate my lunch and generally tried to get myself cooled down. Although it was not quite as hot as at Hetch Hetchy 2 days earlier, it was still sunny and warm.

Emerald Pool, Vernal Falls, 2008

The other thing to note about the Emerald Pool was that the water level was very low compared to July, 2001. I believe this is mostly due to the time of year - September is the end of the season and most of the snow has already melted at this point in the year. From the Emerald Pool and Clark Point areas, you can see Nevada Falls. I can't remember the site very well from 2001 but in 2008 this Falls also had water. Which makes sense as it feeds into Vernal Falls.

View of Mist Trail from Top of Vernal Falls, 2008

In 2001, I hiked to the top of the Falls and back via the Mist Trail; in 2008, I chose to make the same journey via the John Muir Trail. In 2008, I probably added an additional 1-2 miles onto my hike but the John Muir Trail was much easier on my knees. It splits off from the Mist Trail just past the Bridge over the Merced River (which is fed by both Vernal and Nevada Falls). Instead of resembling a staircase (ie, the Mist Trail), the John Muir Trail is composed of a lot of switchbacks that go up to the right of the Mist Trail as you face the Falls. And, from the John Muir Trail, you cannot see either Vernal or Nevada Falls until you reach the top, Clark Point. However, the John Muir is a more gradual ascent and, on this day, was mainly in the shade. Although the Mist Trail is more popular by far, there were a lot of people on the John Muir Trail. And just because the John Muir Trail sounds "easier" than the Mist Trail, don't be fooled. It is a 1-2 mile uphill hike and it is a good workout.

View at the top of Vernal Falls, 2008

Home | My Cats | My Travels | My Family | Contact Me