Yosemite's Iconic Loop, Mist Trail Up and John Muir Trail Down
Yosemite National Park - Day 5
Hiking The Yosemite Waterfall Loop
On our fifth visit to Yosemite National Park, we spent all day hiking the Mist Trail up and the John Muir Trail down. The beginning of the Mist Trail was easy, with a smooth, paved path. However, the climb to the top of Vernal Fall was very challenging! The narrow, crowded, and steep granite stairway, with over 600 steps, was a strenuous climb. With a deep cliff close to the side, that wasn’t my favorite part of the trail!














At the top of Vernal Fall, we continued our climb to the top of Nevada Fall. This section felt less challenging, though the trail sometimes still got uncomfortably close to the cliff’s edge. For our descent, we took the John Muir Trail down, which was longer but, thankfully, was less steep and easier to navigate. It made it easier to enjoy all the spectacular views.
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This memorable 10-mile loop perfectly concluded five unforgettable visits to Yosemite. I will forever cherish this immense and unique national park with its stunning landscapes and towering granite cliffs.
Exploring Yosemite National Park!
Dates
Sunday, September 24, 2023
Distance
9.73 miles
Moving Time
4:41:24 hrs
WEATHER
46 °F, light air