The trail starts from the Happy Isles Bridge along the left (north) bank of the Merced River. The trail is paved for part of the journey, but eventually becomes a rocky, dirt path as you start the climb to Vernal Falls. If you’re hiking in the early winter months, you won’t have to worry about the Mist trail living up to its name. The waterfalls will be quite tame compared to the spring and summer months.

As you approach Vernal Falls, the trail becomes a stair stepper’s paradise with a seemingly unending line of rock steps to the top of the falls. At the top of the falls, you once again enter the forest as you start your climb to Nevada Falls past the Emerald Pool and Silver Apron. As you approach the base of Liberty Cap, the trail becomes a long series of switchbacks with views of Nevada Falls along the way. When you reach the top of the pass, you’ll find a small backcountry restroom at the trail junction. Head south (right) to follow the trail to the top of Nevada falls. You can retrace your steps at this point or continue on to take an alternate route back to the trailhead along the John Muir Trail.

The Upper Yosemite Falls trail is a workout, climbing 2750+ feet over 2.5 miles from the valley floor to the top of the falls. The trail begins climbing immediately as you traverse numerous switchbacks up the side of the mountain through rocky, forest terrain. As the trail levels off and you circle the mountain, the forest cover begins to thin out, giving you views of the valley and the falls. Then, more climbing begins as you circle and scale the backside of the mountain and reach the falls from behind. In good weather, you’ll have views of the entire valley from the Upper Yosemite Falls overlook.