Oooh!! I get to nominate the mist trail! But I would like to actually nominate the variation of taking the JMT either up or down; my favorite is up. So, as the Joker said, Here we go:
Description:
Leaving Happy Isles in Yosemite, shuttle stop 16, head up the paved road on river right. This becomes steep as you ascend a tight granit canyon above the Merced river, until you cross the footbridge, which provides your first glimpse of Vernal falls.
Just beyond here there is a fork in the trail. To the left is the traditional mist trail, to the right is the start of the John Muir trail. A 210.4 mile trail that finishes a the summit of Mount Whitney. Follow this trail to get "birds eye" views of Vernal and Nevada falls from the South side of the canyon. At the next(maybe second) trail junction go left (northish) and follow the signs for Nevada falls and Half Dome. When you are at the top of Nevada falls, enjoy the overlook and the powerful water running below your feet as you cross the bridge at the top.
Descend via the traditional mist trail passing nearly below the water falls that during heavy flow, there is no choice but be be enveloped by the mist of the falls.
http://www.yosemitehikes.com/yosemite-valley/mist-trail/mist-trail.htm
http://www.everytrail.com/guide/the-mist-trail-vernal-and-nevada-falls
On that note let's nominate Half Dome while were here. The difference is at the top of Nevada Falls keep going while following the signs to Half Dome, if I remember correctly all left turns. Take the Via Ferretta cables to the top for an unprecedented view of the Yosemite Valley.
(edited for typos)
Last edited by AJF; 11/02/12 09:01 AM.
