Nevada & Vernal Falls Hiking Tour
Hike the Mist Trail to see Nevada and Vernal Falls on a guided hike in Yosemite National Park! On this classic Yosemite Valley route, you will experience two iconic waterfalls and climb high above the valley floor. After you meet your guide at the Yosemite Valley trailhead near Half Dome Village, the trail ascends quickly alongside the dramatic cascades of the Merced River. Get ready for the famous photo op at the Vernal Falls footbridge, the perfect spot to catch your breath. Admire the majesty of this 317-foot waterfall before we continue our hike on the aptly-named Mist Trail. You will want rain gear for the next half mile of hiking, the mist from Vernal Falls is powerful and it’s unlikely that you will stay dry. Climbing a 600-step granite staircase built into the canyon walls, we top out with an up-close view of Vernal Falls from the top. Here, we take it all in and enjoy a trailside lunch break. Hikers that are prepared for more of a challenge, can continue past Emerald Pool to a steeper climb that leads to the top of Nevada Falls. We return either via the Mist Trail or the iconic John Muir Trail which offers dryer conditions and more views of the Merced River.
This tour is available year round!
What's Included
Tour Price Includes
- Professional Wilderness First Responder certified guide
- Trail lunch spread: includes a selection of fresh fruit, vegetables, smoked meats, cheese, hummus, and crackers to best accommodate gluten free and plant-based diets.
- Daypack rental
- Trekking poles rental
- 1:7 guide to hiker ratio
What to Bring
Required Gear
Waterproof or water resistant jacket (seasonal) and the capacity to carry at least 3 liters of water.
Clothing
Layered clothing appropriate for hiking and changing weather conditions. Baselayers, an insulating midlayer, and a shell will work together to keep you comfortable. A fleece or ‘puffy’ jacket or vest is highly recommended, as is a fleece hat and gloves.
Shoes
Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots or trail running shoes are required. Synthetic or wool socks are recommended.
Miscellaneous
Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, handwarmers, hiking poles, rain pants, supplemental snacks, gratuity for your guide.
Upgrades + Additions
Private Tour
$200 per group. No other parties may add to your tour.
Larger groups – call to inquire
Rates
Rates
- Per Person $ 175 175
Days & Times
Tour Days
Available year round
Departure Times
Activity duration: 4-6 hours
Advance reservation is required
Itinerary
On the Day of Your Tour
After booking your tour you will receive a confirmation email with the details of your tour, including the date, meeting time, meeting location, cancellation policy, and a receipt of your tour purchase. This email will also contain an electronic waiver that you must complete before your tour. For ground transportation options into Yosemite, check out the YARTS bus.
Hikers must be at least 12 years old to join our scheduled Yosemite hikes. Younger hikers can be accommodated on private tours. You can expect that you may be with another group on your tour unless you have booked a private tour. Your guide can plan accordingly for varied skill levels and choose routes that fit the needs of everyone in the group.
- Meet Location: Half Dome Village, in front of the Campground Reservation Office
- Hiking Distance: 6-8 miles
Yosemite Natural History:
Yosemite National Park’s soaring granite cliffs and leaping waterfalls make it unique among the natural wonders of this world. But the wonder of Yosemite doesn’t stop there. The park is filled with groves of giant trees, covered with lush carpets of green, teaming with forest critters, criss-crossed by snow fed streams and punctuated by rocky granite peaks. This makes it a wonderful destination for all kinds of adventure including hiking, backpacking, climbing, and more.
The history of Yosemite is the history of the world’s public land parks, being designated the first park of its kind in 1864 to be managed by the state of California. Yosemite would ultimately become part of the National Park system in 1890. However, for centuries before the park was protected for the enjoyment of all, it was home to the Awahnee tribe of Native Americans. They thrived in and around Yosemite Valley, harvesting acorns and hunting deer. They regularly traded with the Mono Paiute and Sierra Miwok tribes. Before any humans had even laid eyes on the enchanting Yosemite Valley, glaciers covered the ancient Sierra Nevada mountains. These massive instruments of destruction cut and tore at the layers of rock that made up this spine of rock. Once they retreated, they left behind the unique U-shaped Valleys, vertical cliffs, sharp peaks, and polished domes that are the foundation to this National Park, one of the greatest mountain landscapes of the world.
Yosemite National Park’s soaring granite cliffs and leaping waterfalls make it unique among the natural wonders of this world. But the wonder of Yosemite doesn’t stop there. The park is filled with groves of giant trees, covered with lush carpets of green, teaming with forest critters, criss-crossed by snow fed streams and punctuated by rocky granite peaks. This makes it a wonderful destination for all kinds of adventure including hiking, backpacking, climbing, and more.
The history of Yosemite is the history of the world’s public land parks, being designated the first park of its kind in 1864 to be managed by the state of California. Yosemite would ultimately become part of the National Park system in 1890. However, for centuries before the park was protected for the enjoyment of all, it was home to the Awahnee tribe of Native Americans. They thrived in and around Yosemite Valley, harvesting acorns and hunting deer. They regularly traded with the Mono Paiute and Sierra Miwok tribes. Before any humans had even laid eyes on the enchanting Yosemite Valley, glaciers covered the ancient Sierra Nevada mountains. These massive instruments of destruction cut and tore at the layers of rock that made up this spine of rock. Once they retreated, they left behind the unique U-shaped Valleys, vertical cliffs, sharp peaks, and polished domes that are the foundation to this National Park, one of the greatest mountain landscapes of the world.