See the best of Yosemite on the Mist and Panorama trails

Yosemite National Park has many many options for the hiker. You can do a short or long hike, you can do an easy, intermediate or difficult hike. You choose and Yosemite delivers. My most favorite intermediate hike is taking the Mist Trail and going up Vernal and Nevada Falls and coming back on the Panorama Trail. This is where I take friends who come for the first time to Yosemite National Park. It is a beautiful trail.

How to get to the Mist Trail in Yosemite

You can’t reach the trail head by car, but you can park very close to it. The closest parking lot is the last lot that you can reach. After this lot, it’s only the local bus that can pass. Actually, you can leave your car in one of the central parking areas and just take the bus. The trail head strarts right over the bridge from the bus stop. You can ask anyone for directions.

The trail is intermediate and it takes about 4 to 5 hours round trip. You can do it a lot faster if you don’t take breaks, but you would be missing a lot if you don’t stop and admire the natural beauty surrounding you.a

Yosemite National Park at its best on the Mist Trail

The Mist Trails is by far the most popular trail in Yosemite National Park. This is also the trail that leads up to Half Dome. During the summer months, the Mist Trail is packed with people…literally packed. I have not seen any trail as crowded as the Mist Trail in Yosemite. The main reason is that the Mist Trail offers the best concentration of Yosemite attractions in one location.

The last portion of the Mist Trail right before reaching Emerald Pool.

| Enlarge picture | See more pictures |

There are two beautiful falls; Vernal and Nevada. Then you have the river, and the little lake called Emerald Pool. You also have the mountain peaks that surround the falls and the river. Last but not least, you get the amazing panorama of all these natural wonders. This is one beautiful hike!

Returning on the Panorama Trail closes the loop on Yosemite’s best views

Once you reach the top of Nevada Fall, you can go back on the Mist Trail if you want to return to Yosemite Valley faster. However, if you want to see amazing panoramic views, cross the bridge at the top of Nevada Fall and return to Yosemite Valley via the Panorama Trail. The Panorama Trail is a little longer but it is definitely worth the time and effort. The views you get to see are indeed amazing.

On a sunny day, the Panorama Trail offers amazing views of Nevada Fall and the surrounding mountain peaks.

| Enlarge picture | See more pictures |

» Read Similar Articles

Yosemite National Park is breathtaking year round.

Hike the Yosemite Falls trail

Yosemite National Park travel pictures

Best Yosemite tourist attractions recommended by local expert

Share your own experience !
As a traveler, I love reading about other people's travel experiences. I know for certain that my articles are by no means complete and they can certainly benefit from your input. Feel free to share your own experience and add a comment or correction to this article.
| February 9, 2010 | Posted in California, Destination Guides |