Nevada Fall

Yosemite National Park, California, USA

About Nevada Fall


Hiking Distance: 7 miles loop to top via Mist Trail and John Muir Trail
Suggested Time: 4-5 hours

Date first visited: 2002-06-01
Date last visited: 2011-06-03

Waterfall Latitude: 37.72487
Waterfall Longitude: -119.53331

Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Nevada Fall is a mammoth 594ft waterfall watched over by the granite formation called the Liberty Cap.

It makes up the upper step of the Giant Stairway (with Vernal Falls being the lower step).

Nevada_Fall_016_03202004 - Nevada Fall and rainbow
Nevada Fall and rainbow

Thus, it’s part of the massive Merced River drainage so it flows year round.

Heritage of Nevada Fall

I’ve read that the local Native Americans called this waterfall “Yo-wy-we,” which roughly translated into something like a “worm.”

In my mind, I was able to envision this kind of worm-like quality when I was able to see its rushing waters leap from its brink up close.

However, instead of a worm, I was envisioning more of a slinky as the plume seemed like it was pumping water like a thick white slinky was rapidly expanding and contracting over its chute.

Vernal_Nevada_Loop_110_06032011 - The brink of Nevada Fall and rainbow, where I tend to think of its pumping action like a rapidly pumping slinky
The brink of Nevada Fall and rainbow, where I tend to think of its pumping action like a rapidly pumping slinky

Then, the Merced River would hit a slope and continue down to the Silver Apron and Emerald Pool further downstream.

Conversely, Dr. Lafayette Bunnell (perhaps one of the few members of the Mariposa Battalion in 1851 who first appreciated the scenery) ended up giving the name of the waterfall that stuck – Nevada, which was a Spanish adjective for “snowy.”

He did this because the plume of plunging water reminded him of an avalanche.

By the way, the intent of the Mariposa Battalion was to evict the resident Miwok tribe to a reservation in Central Valley so white settlers could continue prospecting for gold.

Vernal_Nevada_Loop_146_06032011 - Nevada Fall and the Liberty Cap seen together
Nevada Fall and the Liberty Cap seen together

So even though the chain of events from that fateful mission eventually resulted in Yosemite’s protection by law, I’m sure there must’ve been some bitter moments from the Native American perspective.

After all, blood was spilled and the ancestral homes and way of life were lost.

Finally, unlike other named waterfalls in the park, there seemed to be a bit of ambiguity regarding whether Nevada Falls should or shouldn’t have the last “s”.

I’ve seen just as many instances of the spelling being done both ways.

Glacier_Point_004_06022011 - Looking over the Giant Stairway from Washburn Point
Looking over the Giant Stairway from Washburn Point

Personally, I could care less about this minor detail, but generally speaking, my habit is to include the last “s” unless the consensus convention just so happens to omit it.

In this instance, I omitted the last “s” because I followed some of the published literature that I happened to own and read.

Julie and I have visited this waterfall several times, and not all of the visits involved the same trail or vantage points.

So to give you an idea of the ways we’ve managed to experience Nevada Fall, we’ll describe them individually in the sections below…

Experiencing Nevada Fall – hiking Mist Trail-John Muir Trail Loop

Vernal_Nevada_Trail.jpg - Vernal Fall Nevada Fall Loop - Green (paved part of John Muir Trail), Blue (Mist Trail), Purple (John Muir Trail including the Panorama Cliffs section)

In my mind, the most straightforward way of getting close to the Nevada Fall would be by hiking up from the Happy Isles trailhead (signpost V24; see the green line on the map above).

Then, take the Mist Trail all the way to the top of the waterfall (see the blue line on the map above) before hiking the John Muir Trail (JMT; see the purple line on the map above) back down to the trailhead to complete the loop.

The benefit of doing the hike this way was to get most of the elevation gain out of the way early on (when we wouldn’t be as tired) through the shorter (and wetter) Mist Trail.

Then, do the longer John Muir Trail on the descent which might be a little easier on the knees.

Vernal_Nevada_Loop_089_06032011 - Frontal view of Nevada Fall from our little picnic spot and lookout, which was a short detour from the Mist Trail
Frontal view of Nevada Fall from our little picnic spot and lookout, which was a short detour from the Mist Trail

After all, the JMT surface would have less of the unforgiving granite surface to jar the joints on.

Anyways, the trail description here will be given in this manner.

As for accessing the trailhead, usually no private vehicles could be driven further east of Curry Village.

However, there was generally some parking in the large lot at Curry Village where then we were able to take a shuttle to the Happy Isles Nature Center.

Vernal_Nevada_Loop_151_06032011 - Nevada Fall with Liberty Cap and the backside of Half Dome as seen along the John Muir Trail
Nevada Fall with Liberty Cap and the backside of Half Dome as seen along the John Muir Trail

It was also possible to hike a mile between Curry Village and Happy Isles.

In the past, we’ve also stayed at the Upper Pines Campground a few times, and it was generally a quick walk from the campground to the Happy Isles.

As for the loop hike itself, I believe it ended up being about 6 miles round trip with about 2,000ft elevation gain.

Experiencing Nevada Fall – hiking the Mist Trail beyond Vernal Fall

The first couple of miles were devoted to getting up and beyond Vernal Fall.

Vernal_Nevada_Loop_057_06032011 - The Silver Apron with the turbulent Merced River in Spring flow rushing over it
The Silver Apron with the turbulent Merced River in Spring flow rushing over it

I’ll punt you to that page if you’re interested in a more detailed trail description of that section of the hike, which I won’t reproduce here.

Beyond the brink of Vernal Fall, the trail continued following the southern banks of the Merced River heading upstream.

We passed along the Emerald Pool and Silver Apron section of the Merced River.

These landmarks were significant because in Summers past, the flow of the river was calm enough to enable some visitors to slide on the Silver Apron and swim in the Emerald Pool.

Vernal_Nevada_Loop_084_06032011 - Looking downstream from the footbridge over the Merced River towards the Silver Apron and the Emerald Pool looking more white than emerald in the Spring time
Looking downstream from the footbridge over the Merced River towards the Silver Apron and the Emerald Pool looking more white than emerald in the Spring time

However, given recent deaths in this part of the park as well as the violence of the Spring flow (I wouldn’t even think of getting in the water when I can see any hint of whitewater), signs were erected to prohibit entering the river.

Anyways, just beyond these landmarks, we reached another footbridge crossing over the Merced River to continue on the Mist Trail.

Alternately, we could’ve gone up a connecting trail to hook up with the John Muir Trail near Clark Point (also described in the Vernal Fall page).

Regardless, since I proposed going up the Mist Trail then down the JMT, I’ll continue with the Mist Trail route though there are plenty of ways to do this hike given the numerous interconnecting trails here.

Experiencing Nevada Fall – hiking the Mist Trail beyond the footbridge
Half_Dome_025_06072003 - Partial view of Nevada Fall as I approached the footbridge over the Merced River upstream of Vernal Fall
Partial view of Nevada Fall as I approached the footbridge over the Merced River upstream of Vernal Fall

Crossing over the footbridge, we started to see the upper parts of Nevada Fall.

The trail continued along a somewhat flatter and forested section (essentially taking a breather from all the climbing we did up to this point) before reaching another series of granite steps.

Just before going up the next series of granite steps, there was an unmarked detour leading to a lookout on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Merced River and the front of Nevada Falls (see photo at the top of this page and the headline photo of this hike).

I’d have to say that this was one of my favorite spots to have a picnic (many hikers tend to miss this spot) with a view of the waterfall before continuing on with the next long climb.

Nevada_Fall_007_03202004 - Frontal view of Nevada Fall with late afternoon rainbow from our picnic spot on the Mist Trail
Frontal view of Nevada Fall with late afternoon rainbow from our picnic spot on the Mist Trail

But with that said, we had to be careful at this viewpoint because sometimes mist would reach this outcrop and wet the granite surface thereby making it slippery.

And since the surface tended to slope towards the dropoff and into the river, we can’t emphasize enough the slip-and-fall hazard if you get to close to the edge.

Back on the Mist Trail, we then tackled the granite steps.

At least the benefit of this section of the trail was that the steps were dry (unlike the route below Vernal Fall).

Vernal_Nevada_Loop_102_06032011 - Context of the profile of Nevada Fall and the granite steps of the Mist Trail
Context of the profile of Nevada Fall and the granite steps of the Mist Trail

So we were able to take scenic breaks at several of the switchbacks which offered profile views of the gushing Nevada Fall.

In a way, these short scenic breaks helped to keep our mind off the fatigue from the constant climbing.

But eventually, the top of the climb terminated at a junction with the John Muir Trail (near some port-a-potties or restrooms, I recalled).

Going left at the junction would’ve taken us to Little Yosemite Valley and continued the route to the summit of Half Dome or a connecting trail to Cloud’s Rest as well as the continuation of the John Muir Trail to Tuolumne Meadows and beyond.

Vernal_Nevada_Loop_119_06032011 - Looking towards the context of the lookout railing right by the brink of Nevada Fall
Looking towards the context of the lookout railing right by the brink of Nevada Fall

But we went to the right, which headed towards the footbridge above Nevada Fall.

However, before getting to that footbridge, we found an unmarked and easy-to-miss path that descended the granite towards a viewpoint with railings right by the brink of the waterfall.

It was this viewpoint that I best appreciated some of the adjectives used to describe this waterfall from avalanches to worms to a slinky on steroids (which was in my mind’s eye).

Experiencing Nevada Fall – hiking the John Muir Trail and the Panorama Cliffs

Back on the main trail, we then continued towards the Nevada Fall footbridge.

Half_Dome_098_06072003 - Looking downstream from the footbridge just upstream from the brink of Nevada Fall
Looking downstream from the footbridge just upstream from the brink of Nevada Fall

Just beyond the footbridge, there was another little area where people were relaxing near the brink of the falls.

However, we had to be careful not to get too far on the sloping edges as there were no guardrails this time.

Now, as we headed away from the waterfall (continuing in the direction back to the Happy Isles trailhead), we passed by a trail junction with the Panorama Trail.

At and around this trail junction, the trail involved some flooded sections and stream crossings (though it might not be as flooded outside of the peak snowmelt period).

Vernal_Nevada_Loop_124_06032011 - Crossing a flooded part of the John Muir Trail as I was descending it after going across the footbridge above Nevada Fall
Crossing a flooded part of the John Muir Trail as I was descending it after going across the footbridge above Nevada Fall

Generally, the flooded sections were straightforward to traverse, but they might get the socks wet without aids like hiking sticks for balance or Gore-tex high tops to keep the feet protected from the water.

The trail then curled and traversed through a shaded and forested section before opening out beneath the so-called Panorama Cliffs.

In the Panorama Cliffs section, we were able to view both Nevada Falls and Liberty Cap together as well as the backside of Half Dome.

For some reason, when I see Nevada Falls and Liberty Cap together, I’m reminded of the letters “L” and “J” given their orientation and shape.

Half_Dome_112_06072003 - Nevada Fall and the Liberty Cap from the John Muir Trail
Nevada Fall and the Liberty Cap from the John Muir Trail

In any case, this section was another of my favorite spots to view and photograph Nevada Falls since we could see the entire waterfall while the Liberty Cap made the scene much more interesting.

During the peak snowmelt period, we’ve experienced dripping water from the cliffs right onto the trail.

It was almost as if we were walking through rain on a dry day.

I suspect this was due to snowmelt that drained an area that spilled over the Panorama Cliffs.

Vernal_Nevada_Loop_127_06032011 - Water falling from the Panorama Cliffs onto the John Muir Trail in the Spring, but in the Winter, these become icicles that can impale you, which is why the Park Service closes this section of the JMT in the Winter months
Water falling from the Panorama Cliffs onto the John Muir Trail in the Spring, but in the Winter, these become icicles that can impale you, which is why the Park Service closes this section of the JMT in the Winter months

However, in the Winter time, the park service warned of sharp icicles forming and falling here thereby causing its closure during those cold months.

Experiencing Nevada Fall – hiking the John Muir Trail below Vernal Fall

As we walked further along this open section beneath the Panorama Cliffs, the perspective of the Liberty Cap and Nevada Falls continued to change until we reached the next couple of switchbacks.

Eventually, these switchbacks ended at another junction near Clark Point where the path on the right descended back towards the footbridge near the Emerald Pool and Silver Apron between Vernal and Nevada Falls.

Continuing the descent on the John Muir Trail, the path got a bit steeper as we encountered more switchbacks.

Vernal_Nevada_Loop_152_06032011 - Looking back towards Nevada Fall and the Liberty Cap from the trail junction near Clark Point
Looking back towards Nevada Fall and the Liberty Cap from the trail junction near Clark Point

Although this section of trail was generally pretty featureless (at least relative to the rest of the hike to this point), the saving grace was that it helped to allevate the stress on the joints (especially the knees).

That’s why we saved this for last.

After all, we weren’t really missing much in terms of sights and the fatigue factor really started to set in by now.

The John Muir Trail eventually joined up with the familiar start of the Mist Trail near the Vernal Fall footbridge.

Vernal_Nevada_Loop_155_06032011 - The John Muir Trail was not only easier on the knees when going downhill, but it was also suitable for horse traffic
The John Muir Trail was not only easier on the knees when going downhill, but it was also suitable for horse traffic

From there, it was another mile on the paved trail back to the Happy Isles trailhead.

On my most recent visit in June 2011 (which was solo), it took me a little over 5 hours to do the entire hike, including all the breaks in between.

So despite the modest distance, the 4 difficulty rating I gave this waterfall was largely because of this hike.

Experiencing Nevada Fall – view from Washburn Point or Glacier Point

If hiking for most of the day to get close to Nevada Falls doesn’t sound appealing or palatable, then viewing it from afar from Washburn Point or Glacier Point would be the way to go.

Glacier_Point_002_06022011 - The Giant Stairway viewed from Washburn Point
The Giant Stairway viewed from Washburn Point

This was explained in detail on the Vernal Fall page.

As for driving directions, Washburn Point can be reached on the Glacier Point Road at signpost G10.

Glacier Point is at the end of the Glacier Point Road at signpost G11.

For a little bit of a quieter experience, it’s also possible to see Nevada Falls from a distance from the summit of Sentinel Dome.

The hike to get there and its top is explained on the Yosemite Falls page, so I’ll punt you there for details.

Illilouette_Fall_042_05212004 - Nevada Falls from a burn area on the Panorama Trail
Nevada Falls from a burn area on the Panorama Trail

The trailhead for the Sentinel Dome Trail is also on Glacier Point Road at a car park by signpost G8.

Lastly, Nevada Falls can be seen on the Panorama Trail, where there were a couple of noteworthy spots I could think of along this trail.

The first was along the first mile or so of the Panorama Trail leaving from Glacier Point.

From there, we were able to get Washburn Point-like views except there were more foreground trees and other features to less conventional views we’d otherwise get from the more established lookouts.

Panorama_Trail_007_06012002 - Unusual view of Nevada Fall, the Liberty Cap, and the back of Half Dome as seen from the Panorama Trail as we descended towards the Panorama Cliffs
Unusual view of Nevada Fall, the Liberty Cap, and the back of Half Dome as seen from the Panorama Trail as we descended towards the Panorama Cliffs

We provide a detailed description of the Panorama Trail for the first two miles from Glacier Point in the Illilouette Fall page.

Beyond Illilouette Fall and the footbridge over Illilouette Creek, the trail climbed up a pretty long series of switchbacks before flattening out and gradually descending towards the John Muir Trail.

In that stretch between the end of the climb and the JMT junction, we were able to get views similar to the Panorama Cliffs section of the JMT.

However, I’d say the view on the John Muir Trail was better and less blocked by trees.

A brief description of the Panorama Trail beyond Illilouette Creek was given on the Yosemite Falls page.

Authorities

Nevada Fall resides in Yosemite National Park near El Portal in Mariposa County, California. It is administered by the National Park Service. For information or inquiries as well as current conditions, visit their website.

Vernal_Nevada_Loop_088_06032011 - Direct look at Nevada Fall from a short detour off the Mist Trail in June 2011. This photo and the next several shots were taken on the same trip
Vernal_Nevada_Loop_096_06032011 - Ascending the Mist Trail alongside the Nevada Fall in June 2011
Vernal_Nevada_Loop_098_06032011 - Profile of the Nevada Fall as seen from my June 2011 hike
Vernal_Nevada_Loop_123_06032011 - Looking over the brink of Nevada Fall towards the Liberty Cap from the unprotected part as seen during my June 2011 hike
Vernal_Nevada_Loop_125_06032011 - Following the cliff ledge along the John Muir Trail as I descended it from the Nevada Fall during my hike in June 2011
Vernal_Nevada_Loop_126_06032011 - The John Muir Trail then curved into the Panorama Cliffs section as seen during my hike in June 2011
Vernal_Nevada_Loop_131_06032011 - Looking at the profile of Nevada Fall backed by the Liberty Cap as seen during my hike in June 2011
Illilouette_Fall_002_05212004 - Framed view of the Giant Stairway from the Panorama Trail
Illilouette_Fall_004_05212004 - Giant Stairway as seen from the Panorama Trail
Nevada_Fall_011_03202004 - Unobstructed view of Nevada Falls fronted by a rainbow as seen from one of my favorite lookouts by the Mist Trail in March 2004
Half_Dome_031_06072003 - Early morning look at Nevada Fall as seen from the Mist Trail during our Half Dome hike in June 2003
Half_Dome_104_06072003 - Looking across Nevada Fall towards Liberty Cap during our Half Dome hike in June 2003
Half_Dome_123_06072003 - The view of Nevada Fall changed as we went further down the John Muir Trail along the Panorama Cliffs as seen during our Half Dome hike in June 2003
Nevada_Fall_002_06012002 - Looking over the brink of Nevada Fall from the footbridge over the Merced River during our Panorama Trail hike in June 2002
Nevada_Fall_005_06012002 - Looking down at the little people on the Mist Trail from the brink of Nevada Fall during our Panorama Trail hike in June 2002
Nevada_Fall_007_06012002 - Another look across the brink of Nevada Fall as seen during our Panorama Trail hike in June 2002
Nevada_Fall_008_06012002 - The brink of Nevada Fall as seen in June 2002
Nevada_Fall_015_06012002 - The profile of Nevada Fall from the Mist Trail as seen in June 2002
Panorama_Trail_011_06012002 - Going between trees on the relatively calm part of the Mist Trail beyond the footbridge above the Silver Apron and Emerald Pool in June 2002


We’ll describe our preferred route from Los Angeles all the way to Curry Village deep in the heart of Yosemite Valley.

We figured that Curry Village would be the most logical starting place for this writeup since it has a large parking lot.

It’s also pretty close to the Happy Isles Nature Center and Trailhead, where the trail ultimately leads past Vernal and Nevada Falls to Half Dome and other backcountry spots.

So our route leaves Los Angeles on the I-5 north and when we descend into the Grapevine (some 2 hours from home), we then take the Hwy 99 through Central Valley towards Fresno.

Then, we hop onto the Hwy 41 at Fresno which leads us to the southern entrance of Yosemite National Park.

Continuing on Hwy 41 (now Wawona Road), we then take this for the next 60-90 minutes all the way into Yosemite Valley and eventually to Curry Village to the far east side of the valley.

Overall, this drive would take roughly 6 hours or more depending on traffic.

Find A Place To Stay

Bottom up sweep starting with the Giant Stairway then zooming out showing the full context of the view from Washburn Point


Direct view of the falls from a viewpoint along the Mist Trail. Notice some companion waterfalls due to the high snowpack.


L-shaped sweep from the Mist Trail ending at the top of the falls


Fixated on the falls from its brink. I can see why the Native Americans associated this falls with a worm (yo-wy-we), because the plume does remind me of a slinky.


Dizzying sweep from the brink of the falls starting down the canyon and ending right at the railing next to the falls. I can see why the Native Americans associated this falls with a worm (yo-wy-we), because the plume does remind me of a slinky.


Left to right sweep from the Nevada Falls footbridge


Left to right sweep looking down at the trees before looking at both the falls and the imposing rock formation


Contextual right to left sweep starting at the John Muir Trail and ending at the Liberty Cap/Nevada Falls combo


Sweep of the eastern side of the Glacier Point panorama showing Vernal and Nevada Falls as part of the sweep as well as Half Dome and Mt Starr King


Looking downstream from atop the footbridge just upstream from the brink of Nevada Falls

Tagged with: yosemite, mariposa, merced, mist trail, john muir trail, jmt, half dome, happy isles, curry, california, waterfall, giant stairway, glacier point, washburn point, panorama trail, liberty cap, sierra



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Nevada Fall February 26, 2023 8:21 pm by Philipp Merillat - Nevada Fall in Yosemite National Park viewed downstream on the Merced River with a pool of river rock in the foreground is the first and last of five views shown here. Said to be the most popular hike in Yosemite National Park, The Mist Trail to Nevada Fall also takes in views of Illilouette Fall… ...Read More

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Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
Read More About Johnny | A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls.