Private Vernal and Nevada Falls

Yosemite Valley, CA
4.9 (19 reviews)

Trip Highlights

  • Stunning Waterfalls
  • Amazing Views
  • Iconic Yosemite Valley Hike
  • Amazing Natural & Cultural History
  • Top-shelf Backpack & Trekking Poles
  • Tasty Trail Snacks & Picnic Lunch

Description

This is the absolute must-do hike in Yosemite. The Incredible views of two of Yosemite National Park’s most spectacular cascades are most popular in spring and summer but are also worth visiting in autumn for the brilliant fall foliage. Beginning at Happy Isles in the eastern end of Yosemite Valley, our trail climbs above the cataracts and rapids of the Merced River to a bridge over the river with excellent views of 317 ft. tall Vernal Fall. The next half mile is where the Mist Trail earns its name. Steep and slick, the trail ascends a virtual granite stairway through the thundering mist of Vernal Fall. In spring and early summer rain gear is recommended. Once above the fall, the crowds thin out and the trail dries out as it continues past beautiful Emerald Pool and the Silver Apron to a final steep climb to the top of Nevada Fall, the taller of the two at 594 ft. From this point, we can backtrack to the trailhead or take the John Muir Trail back for a drier and less crowded return.

In July and August we access these waterfalls from the John Muir Trail to enjoy more solitude, as this is the peak tourist season in Yosemite.

(Important: We run hikes in almost all weather conditions and very rarely cancel. See our terms and conditions for information on cancellations and refunds.)

Read more …
From USD
$225-$620 Per Person
Season: Mar-Oct

Season: Mar-Oct

Trip Type: Day Hike Tour
Difficulty Level:
Solitude Level:
Group Size: 1-7 Guests
Trip Length: 4-6 Hours
Distance: 6MI / 9.6KM

DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2

Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult

SUMMARY OF DIFFICULTY
This trek is follows a well maintained trail that includes 2000 feet of gain/loss in roughly 6 miles round trip. The tops of both waterfalls are exposed to vertical drops less than 3 feet away and guarded by a simple railing system.

Hiking Distances:

6 miles

Backpack Weight:

8-12 lbs

Terrain:

Lightly Rugged

Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:

2100 ft

Heights Exposure:

Significant

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP

  • Hiking uphill or downhill with a 8-12 lb backpack for 4-6 hours
  • Maintaining balance and footing on lightly rugged terrain
  • Hiking with occasional, significant heights exposure
* For an official and complete list of physical requirements, please see our Essential Eligibility Criteria.

SOLITUDE LEVEL 1

  • Level 1: around other hikers the entire time
  • Level 2: around other hikers most of the time
  • Level 3: around other hikers some of the time
  • Level 4: see a couple other groups during the hike
  • Level 5: most likely to have the trail to ourselves
We’re here to help. If you have any questions, call 800-715-HIKE or contact us online.
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Rates

Rates

  • 1 person: $620
  • 2 people: $350 per person
  • 3 people: $310 per person
  • 4-5 people: $260 per person
  • 6-7 people: $225 per person
  • 10 and younger: $155 per person

Private day hike tours are only open to your party.

*Prices do not include guide gratuity

Trip Dates & Booking

TRIP DATES & BOOKING

Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.

Available to Book

AVAILABLE TO BOOK

This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!

Going Fast

GOING FAST

This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.

Request a Reservation

REQUEST A RESERVATION

This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.

Tour dates reflect general availability. You will select your desired hike during the registration process. The season for this hike is March-October.

Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.

800-715-HIKE (4453)

Trip Details

Trip Details

What's Included

  • A professional, knowledgeable, medically trained, friendly wilderness guide.
  • A commitment to make the tour as exciting, challenging, informative, and full as you’d like, and as is possible in a day
  • Trail snacks and a picnic lunch
  • Use of a top of the line, technical day pack
  • Use of trekking poles
  • Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Yosemite

What's Not Included (Required)

  • Lightweight hiking shoes or hiking boots
  • Waterproof rain jacket or poncho
  • Warm wool or fleece top (Spring, Fall, Winter)
  • Warm hat and gloves (Spring, Fall, Winter)
  • Water bottles or bladder (2 liters total capacity)
  • Sunhat

What's Not Included (Recommended)

  • A cold or frozen bottle of water or Gatorade (Spring, Summer, Fall)
  • Sunglasses
  • Knee braces (if needed)
  • Sunscreen
  • Camera
  • Gratuity for your guide

Food: What to Expect

Day hike tours include energizing trail snacks and a delicious picnic lunch. Your guide will customize the food for your hike, but a typical lunch consists of gourmet sandwiches or wraps, fruit, veggies, chips, drinks and a dessert. On wintery or cold days you may be treated to soup or a hot, freshly cooked lunch (if you’d prefer a hot meal, please let us know!)

We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.

Trip Logistics

Trip Logistics

Where Do We Meet?

This hike meets at Curry Village. Your guide will contact you approximately 7 days prior to coordinate the rendezvous and answer any last minute questions you have.

Safety Precautions

Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.

If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.

Age Restrictions

Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:

  • 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval on a case by case basis

Weather in the Sierras

Being a high mountain environment, the Sierra Nevada Mountains are prone to sudden temperature and weather shifts. This is an exciting aspect of being in the mountains. On trips in June, snow is a possibility, and the rest of the summer rain is always a possibility on your trip. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet when you register). See below for average summer temperatures:

Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
Month
Valleys
Alpine
hi
low
hi
low
January
49°
26°
45°
25°
February
55°
28°
46°
26°
March
59°
31°
48°
27°
April
65°
35°
54°
30°
May
73°
42°
62°
37°
June
81°
51°
71°
46°
July
89°
57°
77°
50°
August
89°
56°
81°
53°
September
82°
51°
71°
46°
October
74°
39°
62°
37°
November
58°
31°
51°
29°
December
48°
26°
46°
25°

Trip Reviews

Trip Reviews

  • Average Customer Ratings:

  • 4.9 (19 reviews)
Gladys K
5.0

Thank you Wildland!

5 months ago

She did our experience every minute to be the best and surprising us with mor and more every step and celebrating life with us. and encouraged me to do it Thank you Wildland

Fred A
5.0

Outstanding

8 months ago

We had two fantastic days of hiking with Tashi, The first hike was through Yosemite Valley, and the second day was up to Vernal and Nevada falls. Tashi was great to be with - personable, wonderful stories, and outstanding knowledge about the national park. She is an outstanding guide, planning each day carefully, paced the hiking based on our skill levels., and along the way pointed out things that we would have no doubt missed. And if all of that were not enough, the breakfast and lunches were truly outstanding. With out reservation I can recommend Tashi as an outstanding guide, and look forward to hiking with her and Wildland in the future.

Isabel D
5.0

Couldn’t be happier with the experience

11 months ago

Amazing hike with very friendly, professional and knowledgeable guide. Everything was very organized and Morgan, our guide, was fantastic! Couldn’t be happier with the experience

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