One of the most beautiful trails in Yosemite National Park
is the Mist trail, starting at Happy Isle and end at the top of Nevada Falls.
It is one of my favorite trails and I don’t mind the challenges it offers
because the scene is just spectacular and worth the effort. Up until Vernal
Falls the Merced River
runs along the trail and adds awesome views as well as mist and cooler air. It
is advisable to bring a plastic bag to protect all your photo equipment from
the mist at the section of the trail just below Vernal
Falls. A good hiking shoe is
essential for that hike since large section of this trail walks you on sharp
stones and rough terrain. Now you set to enjoy one of the most beautiful trails
Yosemite has to offer.
We started to hike very early in the morning at 7:00am. At that early hour it wasn’t crowded and
we enjoy the tranquility surrounded us, it was cool and the air was nice and
crisp. The trail started a short distance past the Happy
Isle Bridge
and the climb up begun right away. This section of the trail is paved and is
wheelchair friendly.
Along our hike we listened to the birds whistling sounding
like they looking for their breakfast. A lone squirrel accompanied us for a
while but when realized he’s not going to get any food from us he left.
Right at the beginning of the trail we spotted the sign that
posted the distances to each area of the hike so Amy and Jacob couldn’t miss
the opportunity and posed on each side of this sign to commemorate and document
the moment.
Continued our hike we couldn’t miss the formation of
boulders that were standing tall and proud thus making the trail so unique and
interesting. They come in all shapes and sizes and some of them are covered
with moss which grows due to the wetness, and when the sun rays pick thru the
trees it lit them and creating different colors that is something to enjoy.
A Bear Encounters sign is posted on the side of the trail to
instruct us how to behave and what to do if a bear approaches. I have been there before and never encounter
one, usually bears don’t like our company but sometime wanders to different
territories and when this happens they usually retrieves back when encounter
resistance. The story is a bit different when there is a case of mother bear
and cubs, so it always pays to be careful and watch out.
A little further we saw a beautiful pond which collects
water that sips thru the rocks and runs to the pool. This is a place to pause
for a moment and enjoy this little jewel.
Further on there is a section of the trail that overlook the Merced River as it tumble down true magnificent rock formation. So Jacob stopped to record the scene, and a beautiful scene it is.
This section of the trail is like a picture, to the
left it is looking over the Merced River and to
the right the boulder wall completes the scene.
The Merced River runs thru huge
boulders forming an interesting little waterfalls (every photographer’s dream)
with nice array of colors.
Another section of the trail runs through a wooded area
providing lots of shade and coolness thus making the hike much easier.
Finally, after about half a mile hiking we approach our
first part of this hike - the Vernal Falls
Bridge. We stopped there for a
while and had a little rest, view the Merced River as it
runs underneath the bridge and took a much needed rest at the shade.
Adjacent to the bridge is a water fountain with cold running
water. We drink and filled our bottles for the continuation of our hike to Vernal
Falls later.
To the right of the bridge area we spotted another important
facility – the restroom for much needed relief. It is a unique structure built
out of cedar wood strips and stones and it matches the environment. It’s clean,
has running water and is well maintained which makes it enjoyable to use. Now
we felt better and in a few minutes we were ready to continue our hike.
Really Beautiful!
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