Mist Trail

Welcome, intrepid explorers, to the Happy Isles Trailhead. You are standing at the genesis of Yosemite's most celebrated, and arguably most strenuous, aquatic pathway: the Mist Trail. …

Do not let the paved surface of this initial segment deceive you. The trail immediately pitches upward at a severe angle, initiating a strenuous climb that rarely relents. …

At exactly zero point eight miles into our journey, the steep pavement terminates at a heavy wooden footbridge spanning the gorge. We have reached our first major milestone. …

We now confront the crucible of this hike: the legendary granite staircase. Over six hundred irregular, punishing steps have been carved, blasted, and stacked directly into the sheer cliff side. …

Having survived the staircase, we emerge onto a wide, flat expanse of sun-baked granite directly at the brink of Vernal Fall. You can step cautiously to the edge, protected by a railing, and look straight down the precipice you…

Leaving the relative calm of the Emerald Pool behind, the trail plunges us back into a rigorous, punishing climb. We are now targeting Nevada Fall, pushing deeper into the high canyon. …

We have reached the apex of our strenuous endeavor. Welcome to the brink of Nevada Fall. …

To return to the valley floor, we face a critical choice. We could retrace our steps down the steep, treacherous Mist Trail, but doing so would mean navigating those slick, crowded granite stairs in reverse—a punishing endeavor…