A climb of 375 feet takes us to Panorama Point (Alt. 6224), from which is an imposing view of the upper end of the valley and the mouth of Tenaya Canyon. To the right is the sheer edge of Panorama Cliff, along which our trail now follows almost level for about a mile. In the canyon below can be seen our route of about two hours hence. At a trail forks the Mono Meadow and Merced Pass Trail (Trail Trip 23) turns right into the Illilouette Creek Basin.
Now begins an abrupt descent of 700 feet by switchbacks to the Merced River which, above this point, was called by the Yosemite Tribe the Yo-wy-we-ack or "twisting rock" branch. A few steps from the bridge is the top of Nevada Falls (Alt. 5910, Drop 594 ft.). Nevada is Spanish for snow and replaces the old Indian name Yo-wy-we. Many claim that the view from the overhanging ledge is the most fascinating water-vista of Yosemite. Note especially the shooting spray rockets. These are most wonderful when painted by the first rays of sunshine at 7:30 to 8 a.m.
About a quarter of a mile upstream the trail crosses a small bridge and is joined by the Clouds Rest, Sunrise, Lake Merced and Little Yosemite Trail (Trail Trips 5, 8, 7 and 13). Here is a government telephone (Central 1 ring). Fishing is good about two miles upstream in Little Yosemite. In the following abrupt 500-foot descent by zigzags some fine profile views of Nevada Falls are obtained. When white men first visited Yosemite part of the Merced cascaded down the steep slope where the trail is now built. As the trail crosses Snow Flat at the foot of Nevada Falls, the ruins of the old "La Casa Nevada," or "Snow House," are seen at the right of the trail. The old register, which dates back to 1871, is in the Yosemite Museum. Liberty Cap (Alt. 7072), which the Indians called Mah'ta or "Martyr Mountain," towers above to the right. It may be ascended from the east and good rock climbers will find an interesting scramble up the deep defile between this dome and Mount Broderick (Alt. 6705) just northward. The talus of huge rocks above the trail fell from the face of Liberty Cap in 1918.
A bridge across the Merced takes us directly over the Diamond Cascade. Below is the Silver Apron. From the bridge upstream is fair fishing. A short distance beyond the crossing is a fork where the main or "horse trail" turns to the left and climbs 350 feet up the canyon wall in order to pass Vernal Falls. Pedestrians should turn to the right and take the far more scenic Mist Trail, thereby saving a half hour and several hundred feet climb. Following down the river we pass the Silver Apron and Waterwheel, below which is a perfect glacial tarn called Emerald Pool. Near its mouth is the rim of Vernal Falls (Alt. 5049, Drop 317 ft.). From behind the natural breast-high granite parapet we have another excellent outlook. The fall was called by the Indians Yan-o-pah, or "water cloud," which term was also applied to the canyon below. By climbing along the rim southeast of the falls we find a ladder and hanging trail descending to a grotto, from which is a good view of Glacier Point.
Nearer the fall the Mist Trail suddenly drops over the edge of the cliff and follows down a steep, narrow ledge which is well guarded by chains and iron posts. From here and from the zigzags just below we obtain excellent profiles of the fall. We now enter the mist, passing down thru a luxurious growth of grasses and flowers, which caused the fall to be given its present name. Between 10 and 12 a.m. the beautiful circular rainbows may here be seen. Use extreme caution on slippery wet rocks! Following around the base of a cliff on a narrow ledge, the trail again enters a forest and parallels the river. We stop at Lady Franklin Rock, where is obtained one of the best vistas of the falls (good photograph). A short distance downstream the two trails reunite just before crossing Vernal Bridge, from which is a good distant view of the falls. In the canyon below was the old Indian camp of Ap´-poo-meh.
The trail now mounts about 200 feet above the riotous Merced and in rounding the base of Grizzly Peak offers a clear perception of the deep recess below Illilouette Falls.
Again approaching the river we pass a spring and water trough where the Sierra Point Trail (Trail Trip 12) joins from the right. The Happy Isles Bridge on the main road is a quarter of a mile distant. We have the choice of descending by the main trail or crossing the foot-log to Happy Isles, and thence by several bridges and footpaths to the main road.
The road to the right leads to Mirror Lake. We turn left. Camp Curry is one mile distant and Yosemite Village 2.3 miles.
TRAIL TRIP 3