Is Mist Trail Dangerous

This trail is dangerous and should be closed. The portion of the trail that ascends over slippery, wet granite steps is always crowded, with no handrails, and huge steps that were probably made for mules, not people. Don’t go above Vernal Falls on this trail if you value your life. Take the John Muir Trail instead.

How hard is the Mist Trail?

Difficulty: Medium, but bordering strenuous if you go all the way to the top of Nevada Fall. The stretches beside Vernal and Nevada Falls are both quite steep – in fact, the last few hundred meters up the Vernal Falls trail are stairs cut into the cliffside.

How long does it take to walk the Mist Trail?

Rating:Fairly strenuous to strenuous day hikeAccess:Happy Isles Trailhead (Shuttle Stop 16 along the Yosemite Valley shuttle system)Time Required:3-6 hoursLength:5.5 miles round trip up Mist Trail and back down John Muir Trail (1.4 miles to top of Vernal Fall, 1.2 miles more to top of Nevada Fall)