/tags/yosemite-national-park.rss en-us The waterfalls of Yosemite National Park have a reputation for being some of the most beautiful in California, and possibly the world. The roaring waters of the Yosemite National Park’s five main waterfalls are set against the backdrop of the giant granite mountains of the Yosemite Valley. Vernal Falls is one of Yosemite’s most beautiful and mysterious waterfalls, and one that must not be missed on any trip into the Park. Vernal Falls has a staggering 317-foot drop before crashing into the large boulders below. The sheer force of this powerful waterfall can be felt within your core as you hike to the falls’ summit. No visit to Vernal Falls would be complete without this hike; although it’s not for the faint of heart. The trailhead begins near the Happy Isles Nature Center, which can be reached by any of the Yosemite Valley’s many shuttle buses. John Muir Trail starts off soft and gradual, but is soon misleading. The trail winds through the valley’s enormous trees and giant boulders, offering spectacular views along the way. As you continue along this 1.5-mile trail, the slope of the John Muir Trail will steadily increase in some sections, and the angle is more than 50 degrees! With this quick gain in altitude, the views of Yosemite Valley only get better. The many switchbacks along the John Muir Trail can sometimes be misleading as to how far you have actually travelled. It’s not until you reach the Vernal Falls bridge that you can actually see a partial view of the Yosemite National Park. Standing on this wooden bridge is a great opportunity for some quick snapshots as the water flows fast down this cascade to join the Merced River that flows throughout most of the Yosemite National Park Once past Vernal Falls the John Muir Trail is renamed The Mist Trail. This is appropriate because for the remainder of the journey, hikers will be covered in a soft yet refreshing mist which continuously comes off the Vernal Falls. This makes the plant life surrounding The Mist Trail beautifully lush, but also makes most of the trail damp. Muddy sections along this trail are not uncommon, and the granite stone becomes slippery under this constant spray. Hikers should use caution. The Mist Trail soon leaves the forest and creeps along the large polished stones of the surrounding mountains. Hundreds of large stone steps have been cut into the hillside allowing for a safer journey up the falls. During peak season this trail can get quite busy, but don’t spend your whole time looking at your feet as you may miss the many rainbows that grow out of this continuous mist. As you reach closer and closer to the top of the waterfall, the many viewpoints become even more phenomenal, both at the waterfall and of the valley in the background. Once you reach the top of the Vernal Falls you can breathe a sigh of relief. You have made it up this treacherous trail and the reward stand in front of you. The Yosemite Fall shows its full beauty. Take lots of time to enjoy the calm at the top of Vernal Falls for soon you will have to turn around and make the trek back down, leaving behind you one of the most beautiful spots in Yosemite. Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:58:02 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/trek-along-the-mist-trail-to-vernal-falls http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/trek-along-the-mist-trail-to-vernal-falls The Mist Trail, which takes you to the top of not one, but two waterfalls, is one of the most spectacular day hikes at Yosemite National Park in California. The day begins at Yosemite's Curry Village, where a park shuttle picks you up and deposits you at the Happy Isles trailhead. From this point, you will follow a gently rising trail for about a mile. This section of the hike, called the John Muir Trail, is easy and usually crowded. You first sight Vernal Falls from the footbridge which crosses the Merced River. At 317 feet tall, Vernal Falls is truly spectacular. Take the time to snap a few pictures from the bridge, then continue on your way. This second leg of the hike is where the Mist Trail gets its name. As you continue up steep steps carved into granite, prepare to be drenched by mist from the powerful waterfall. But rewards await at the top of the Falls. As you dry off, contemplate the amazing view, and allow yourself to be lulled by the tranquility of the Emerald Pool. The Emerald Pool is a large, tranquil pond just upstream from the sheer drop-off of Vernal Falls. It has surprised many waders who thought its waters safe, only to be caught by the powerful current, so take heed of the "No Swimming" signs and keep your feet on land. Cross back over the Merced River and follow through the woods a bit to get your first view of Nevada Falls. Here, churning water falls 594 feet to crash on the granite boulders below. As you begin your steep ascent to the top of those nearly 600 feet, keep in mind that the strenuous workout is worth it. When you finally emerge at the top of the Nevada Falls, you will find a paradisiacal view of Yosemite Valley stretching out before you in a vast panorama. You will also be able to catch sight of Half Dome, and the hikers who dot its face. Because many are unable to complete the climb to the top of Nevada Falls, the crowds will be thinner than at Vernal Falls, and you will have the opportunity to really lose yourself in the breathtaking views that Yosemite National Park is famous for. The descent is relaxing, although long, as the John Muir Trail takes you down the other side of the falls and through a series of switchbacks to return to the footbridge at the bottom of Vernal Falls. Take your time, enjoy the quiet of the trail away from the thundering water of the Falls, and remember that you have climbed more than 900 feet today to experience Yosemite National Park the way it was meant to be experienced. Thu, 12 Aug 2010 02:20:26 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/hike-mist-trail http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/hike-mist-trail The first thing you notice about Yosemite Falls is not the view, it's the noise. The roar of millions of gallons of water crashing down the length of a 200-story building is deafening, even from half a mile away. The falls known as Yosemite Falls are actually a series of two waterfalls, Lower and Upper Yosemite Falls, which are separated by a series of pools, streams and fissures that snake through a deep gorge. At the bottom of the falls, the spray rises for hundreds of feet, often creating beautiful rainbows as the water glistens in the clear California sunlight. Before it sweeps into the 5th largest waterfall in the solar system, the Yosemite Creek is a gentle stream fed primarily by snow melt. However, once they reach the sheer rock cliff and tumble over the edge, falling more than 2,000 feet down, these demure waters turn into an unstoppable life force. During springtime, when the winter ice is melting rapidly, Yosemite Falls are in their fullest force, spraying a dazzling gush of white water that can been seen over a mile away. There are many hiking trails in Yosemite National Park, but the best trail for viewing the falls is Lower Yosemite Falls Trail, which snakes its way around and up the rock face, nearly a half mile up from the trail head. The best views of Yosemite Falls are actually at the start and finish of the trail, but the trail, which switches back and forth up the cliff, makes for a pleasant, shaded half-day hike. Even if you don't like hiking, you can gaze up at Yosemite Falls from below, taking in its overwhelming sound and lengthy, changing beauty. Often, visitors are drawn from their cars as soon as they catch the first glimpse of Yosemite Falls, jumping out or rolling down their windows for a better look. Thu, 04 Jun 2009 02:13:11 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/yosemite-falls http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/yosemite-falls One of two great monoliths in Yosemite National Park, El Capitan is a one of the world's sheerest granite rock faces, rising 3000 feet above the valley floor below. In between the two main climb routes on El Capitan is a massive jut called "The Nose" which is very popular and holds the highest bragging rights for conquering on this infamous peak. This climb was once believed impossible, but is now scaled regularly by experienced climbers. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 02:21:05 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/el-capitan http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/el-capitan