The Yosemite Conservancy is gifting the National Park Service with $5 million for the design and planning of upgrades for Mist Trail, from the Valley to Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. The official beginning of the trail may move from the Merced River to the Happy Isles Nature Center.
There are also plans for upgrades at the Vernal Fall footbridge area. The small bridge, a water fountain and the last flushing toilet on the route are currently there.
No word on when shovels will appear. Not for a while…..maybe 2025/26. The 700 steps between the Footbridge and the lip of Vernal Fall is a very hard climb….after a brief respite, another 600+ stps await you to get to the Nevada Fall drop off.
Note: The are both “FALL” – not falls. If water goes down in one flow and does not cascade, it’s a fall. Ergo, it’s Yosemite FALLS.
Carpe Diem