17.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?

You can photograph Nevada Fall from two main locations: from the Mist Trail (see A on the map) and from Washburn Point (see B on the map).

The best locations from which to photograph Nevada Fall: (A) Mist Trail, (B) Washburn Point. Other photo ops: (1) Ahwahnee Hotel, (8) Half Dome, (9) Happy Isles, (26) Vernal Fall.

17.2.1. Mist Trail

Hiking the Mist Trail is the best way to see Nevada Fall. From the trailhead at Happy Isles it is a 5.8-mile round-trip hike to the top with an elevation gain of almost 1,900 feet. Allow 5 to 6 hours to complete the hike. You pass Vernal Fall and then pass Emerald Pool and Silver Apron (a small cascade) and continue on the Mist Trail across a footbridge, meandering through the forest until you start to climb. The last section, climbing the switchbacks on the left side of the fall, is quite strenuous. Make sure you carry plenty of water! The top of Nevada Fall is 1.5 miles from Vernal Fall. You can see many good views of the fall as you start the climb on the left side (see figure 17.1). At the beginning of the climb, you can veer slightly off trail and get a more direct, head-on view of the fall. After you start ascending the left slope, you will be looking at the fall in a profile view on up to the top. You cannot see the falls from the whole trail going up as you can at Vernal Fall. There are railings at ...

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