Mist Trail...

I will be visiting March 25 - March 30.

Is the Mist Trail expected to be open from bottom to top at that time?

The Yosemite web site still lists it as partially closed?

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/valleyhikes.htm

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You'll find an excellent view of Vernal Fall from the footbridge at 0.75 miles (1.3 km). Beyond the bridge, at 0.2 miles, the Mist Trail and the John Muir Trail diverge. To proceed directly to the top of Vernal Fall, follow the Mist Trail 0.5 mile (0.8 km) up a steep granite stairway of over 600 steps. Prepare for slippery footing and a tremendous amount of waterfall spray in spring and early summer. This portion of trail is closed in winter due to risk of falling ice and rock.

Snow in the Valley seems to be pretty low. The view from Sentinel Dome does show a good deal of snow at higher elevations. I wouldn't count on the Mist Trail being open by then, but who knows.

http://www.yosemite.org/vryos/

Good luck and be safe.

mspdoc wrote:

> Is the Mist Trail expected to be open from bottom to top at
> that time?

Probably not if memory serves.

I've never seen it open that early, and despite the warm spell that's now gone, it doesn't seem likely. The issue is generally ice.

However, that's not so bad; just past the bridge below Vernal Fall, the John Muir trail takes off in the same direction, but it heads up to Clark Point (great view!!). There will be some spots where the snow overflows the trail, but it's usually not too hard to get around. From Clark Point, most likely the John Muir will be closed (due to the ice near Nevada Fall), but there's a switchback-trail that goes down to the Mist Trail, which should be clear and open the rest of the way to Nevada Fall. That's the "winter route".

I wouldn't want to go up the Happy Isles-Vernal section of the Mist trail when it's icy, as it's a steep and wet section:
http://www.pbase.com/roberthouse/image/61297012

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Gary
Yosemite Photo Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/roberthouse/yo

A few questions about the "Winter Route"

What is the distance and time from Vernal Bridge to Clark's Point?

What is seen from Clark's Point?

Can you hike up to see Nevada Falls and Liberty Cap from there, it seems like this area is closed.

When you hike back down the switch-back trail, do you get some good views of Nevada Falls?

Thanks for the feedback.

Matt

mspdoc wrote:

> What is seen from Clark's Point?



http://yosemitephotos.net/main.php?g2_itemId=2571

> Can you hike up to see Nevada Falls and Liberty Cap from there,
> it seems like this area is closed.

Yes, but you have to go down to Vernal Falls and then up the other side of Nevada.

mspdoc wrote:

> A few questions about the "Winter Route"
>
> What is the distance and time from Vernal Bridge to Clark's
> Point?

Should be about 1.5 miles; it's 2.3 from Clark point to Happy Isles, according to the sign at Clark point. (that's the LOWER bridge, below the fall, of course; not the one up above Vernal).

> What is seen from Clark's Point?

As you saw from the photo, Nevada Fall; plus Liberty Cap and some surrounding peaks that are pretty scenic. It's a great place to kick back for a bit and enjoy the view. The JMT up to there isn't bad either; you get views of the Merced canyon and parts of the valley as you wind on down.

> Can you hike up to see Nevada Falls and Liberty Cap from there,
> it seems like this area is closed.

The John Muir trail beyond Clark point will most likely be closed. Right past the view area at Clark point is the zigzag trail that goes back down to the Mist trail. The section of the Mist trail from the top of Vernal Fall to Nevada Fall will be open, most likely.

The short trail that connects the two is not long, but it's always seemed longer to me than it is. However, that will be your only option for getting to Nevada Fall if the winter route is still in effect. That trail ends near the Emerald pool/Silver Apron atop Vernal. The Mist trail from that point is very scenic, and even easy for a while, but then it gets rocky
http://www.pbase.com/roberthouse/image/63142029
and there are lots of steps and switchbacks, and some great closeup views from below and alongside Nevada Fall.
>
> When you hike back down the switch-back trail, do you get some
> good views of Nevada Falls?

That connecting trail isn't particularly scenic that I remember, which is maybe why it seems long when it isn't really.

When you get to Clark Point, if the JMT is closed beyond there, a gate will be across the trail. It might look tempting to go on, instead of heading down to the Mist trail, but it gets very icy and wet as you get near Nevada Fall, so don't judge the trail by what you see near Clark Point.

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Gary
Yosemite Photo Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/roberthouse/yo

Usual trail open date is...?

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Ohnivy-Drak

Usual trail open date is...?

You like reviving ancient threads?
(The last reply to this thread (before yours) was almost five years ago.)


And you ought to know (since you are a very experienced Yosemite hiker) that the Mist Trail does not have a "usual trail open date".

Just like the opening of the Tioga Road, the Mist Trail opening date will vary year to year depending on the weather conditions.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/11/2013 11:17AM by plawrence.

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plawrence

Quote
Ohnivy-Drak

Usual trail open date is...?

You like reviving ancient threads?
(The last reply to this thread (before yours) was almost five years ago.)


And you ought to know (since you are a very experienced Yosemite hiker) that the Mist Trail does not have a "usual trail open date".

Just like the opening of the Tioga Road, the Mist Trail opening date will vary year to year depending on the weather conditions.

It was the first thread that popped up after doing a "Mist Trail" search. It'd be nice if it were open sometime in mid-April. Perhaps that's abnormal, but this year it seems like a possibility.

There's probably a zillion people going up it already. (actually I can guarantee u that)
(well... half a zillion)
Bring some microspikes and test your fate.
(but forget about finding any new benchmarkers) har har har

* anything you do I'm not responsible for... unless I'm there with you...

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Quote
Ohnivy-Drak

It was the first thread that popped up after doing a "Mist Trail" search. It'd be nice if it were open sometime in mid-April. Perhaps that's abnormal, but this year it seems like a possibility.

Newer threads on the Mist Trail would be found in the Yosemite section of this forum.