From left to right: Trail sign, Mist Trail along Vernal Fall, visitors at the top of Vernal Fall (top image) and the top of Nevada Fall (bottom image), and Nevada Fall as seen from the Mist Trail / NPS
The National Park Service (NPS) has begun the planning phase for Yosemite National Park’s Mist Trail Corridor, a popular and highly frequented trail that sees around 85,000 visitors each year. The project scope includes the path from Happy Isles, parts of the John Muir Trail, the stock trail, Little Yosemite Valley, and the Half Dome route up to the Half Dome cables. The park hopes to enhance safety, signage, environmental stewardship, and educational resources to support more sustainable visitor use.
A 30-day public comment period, open from October 24 to November 23, 2024, is your chance to provide input about a trail area deeply important to many Yosemite visitors. Additionally, a virtual public meeting on November 13, 2024, will offer an opportunity to review the planning process, discuss objectives, cover the areas involved, and address any environmental impacts. Insights from this initial phase will help shape project alternatives and provide crucial information for progress.
Planning Process and Timeline
The initial public comment period for the Mist Trail Corridor Project is from October 24, 2024–November 23, 2024. The anticipated schedule for project milestones and additional opportunities for public review and input are as follows:
| EVENT | DATE |
|---|---|
| Public Comment Period Begins | October 24, 2024 |
| Virtual Public Meeting | November 13, 2024 |
| Public Comment Period Closes | November 23, 2024 |
| National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Process Begins | Winter 2024–25 |
| Environmental Assessment Release | Fall 2025 |
| Environmental Assessment Comment Period and Public Meeting | Fall 2025 |
| National Park Service Record of Decision | Winter 2025 |
Preliminary Project Area
The preliminary project area includes the following zones along the Mist Trail Corridor:
| Happy Isles Zone | Transition Zone | Little Yosemite Zone | Half Dome Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
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Map showing preliminary project area and related zones / NPS
The project is needed to address the following challenges along the Mist Trail Corridor:
Safety. Some visitors do not recognize the danger of navigating steep trails, swift water, and the cables on Half Dome, resulting in injuries, fatalities, and dangerous rescue and recovery operations.
Wayfinding/Orientation. The current trailhead is not adequately serving the needs of the high volume of visitors it receives. Hikers often miss the opportunity to plan their route and assess the difficulty of the trail system. Consequently, many set out on their journeys without the necessary information, unaware of the challenges that lie ahead.
Stewardship/Education. Opportunities exist for educating visitors on the unique natural and cultural resources within the Mist Trail Corridor. An increased respect for and stewardship of the corridor’s natural and cultural resources is a key consideration of any physical improvement.
How to Comment
As you prepare your comments, consider the clarity of the project purpose and need, potential opportunities to address challenges, what experiences, activities, and services should be available, and what environmental issues we should analyze.
Submit comments online. This preliminary comment period closes on November 23, 2024.
Potential Opportunities to Enhance the Mist Trail Corridor
Share your experiences and challenges related to safely accessing and navigating the Mist Trail Corridor.
- This may involve aspects such as trail orientation, trip planning and expectations, shuttle services, parking availability, and the route from Happy Isles to the Half Dome Cables.
What improvements could enhance the visitor experience along the Mist Trail Corridor?
- These enhancements might include on-site orientation, amenities, wayfinding, or tools for trip planning.
Share what you value about this area and what you think the park needs to preserve and protect.
