Mist Trail & John Muir Trail Trailhead — Attraction in Oakhurst

Hiking the Mist Trail and John Muir Trail Trailhead in Yosemite was the best hike of my life and my favorite one in the park so far. Despite having to modify our route due to a rock fall, we ended up completing a challenging and rewarding 7.89-mile loop with over 2000 feet of elevation gain. Every second of the hike was an adventure, filled with stunning vistas and memorable moments.

The trail itself is a masterpiece of nature's beauty and power. Starting out, we were immediately captivated by the lush scenery and the sound of rushing water. The Mist Trail, true to its name, treated us to refreshing sprays from the waterfalls as we made our way up. The climb was steep and demanding, but the views of Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall were worth every step. Each turn offered a new perspective, making the ascent both exhilarating and awe-inspiring.

By the time we reached the top of Nevada Falls, we were ready for a well-deserved break. We found a huge rock that offered a perfect spot for lunch, allowing us to take in the panoramic views and the roaring sound of the falls below. It was a moment of pure serenity and triumph, feeling both small in the vast landscape and incredibly accomplished.

The John Muir Trail provided a less steep descent, which was a nice change after the intense climb. The trail was well-maintained and less crowded, giving us a peaceful hike back with equally breathtaking scenery. The changing views as we descended were just as stunning, offering new angles of the park's majestic granite cliffs and verdant valleys.

I'm glad I worked out before attempting this hike, as the elevation gain and distance make it a moderate challenge. However, it's an experience I would recommend to anyone visiting Yosemite. The combination of physical exertion, natural beauty, and the sheer sense of accomplishment at the end makes this hike a must-do.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for an unforgettable hiking experience in Yosemite, the Mist Trail and John Muir Trail should be at the top of your list. Whether you're an avid hiker or someone looking to push your limits, this trail offers an unparalleled adventure filled with stunning waterfalls, incredible vistas, and the unmatched beauty of Yosemite. It’s a hike that will stay with you long after you’ve returned home, reminding you of the wonders that nature...

Did this hike Sunday, August 28, 2022. Started at around noon because of the smoke from the fires. We were told that it clears up later in the day. It was a good choice to wait. The weather wasn’t too hot so it worked out well.

The beginning of the trail was ok then it got harder due to the include and for me, the elevation. Saw some people with some interesting shoes…Nike slides, dress flats, etc.

Stairs are not terrible if you take a nice steady pace. As the hike went on, it got easier. I’m more of a beginner hiker (been going out on the weekends to hike for the past 5 months). This was definitely the hardest, if not the hardest, hike I’ve done so far.

I have posted just regular unfiltered smoky pictures to show the terrain so you can see what you’re up against. They are in order. Didn’t get much on the way down since we were going quite fast and needed to get on the road.

Definitely bring a water bottle. There are a couple places to fill it up.

I also really recommend you take John Muir down. When walking up the mist trail, a lot of people were telling us going down was harder than going up. JM adds a bit of time but your knees will thank you for it. This hike took us about 3-1/2 hours.

We are going back in two weeks to do half dome so more to come on that! After doing this hike I’m super excited (and terrified) to...

This is a nice trail. I went here and was satisfied with my experience. The first portion of this trail is paved and travels up a steep incline to a nice view of the bottom of Vernal Falls. From here there’s a steep, rocky staircase that ascends to the top of the waterfall. It was a little busy when I came here, but when I hiked back down around noon it was extremely busy, and there were times I had to take breaks in the stairs to let other people pass. After the stairs the trail goes up a steep slope to the top of Vernal Falls, where there’s a large area of smooth rock to sit on. When I was here there were at least twenty people sitting and admiring the falls, and there was still plenty of room. After admiring the falls I hiked up to Nevada Falls, which is about a mile and a half further. This portion of the trail was much easier, being significantly less steep. However, I turned around because I was getting tired and I was planning on doing other homes as well, so I wanted to save energy for those. I gave this trail five stars because it’s a fun trail that goes through a beautiful valley to two beautiful waterfalls. The first part is pretty easy but becomes strenuous once you reach the staircase at...