If you want to go

What: Yosemite Valley’s best day hike Where: Yosemite National Park

Hike synopsis: From Happy Isles, take the Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada falls (2.7 miles) and return on the John Muir Trail (4 miles); 6.7-mile round trip, 1,900foot elevation climb and descent.

Distance adds: If you get off the shuttle at the Happy Isles stop, add 0.2 of a mile (0.1 of a mile each way) to the trailhead, for a 6.9-mile round trip; if you park at the horse stables or camp at the adjacent North Pines Campground, add 2 miles (1 mile each way, flat) to the trailhead for 8.7-mile round trip.

Trail rules: Hikers only. No dogs (placarded service dogs excepted) or mountain bikes. Horses are allowed only on John Muir Trail. No cutting switchbacks.

Cost: $30 entrance fee per vehicle, which is good for a week; visitors 62 and older can buy a $10 Senior Pass, good for a year at national parks and many national forest facilities.

Map/brochure: Free, provided at park entrance. Detailed trail maps at www.TomHarrisonMaps.com.

Overnight: All lodging at www.Yosemite.com; all campgrounds listed at Moon California Camping.

Contact: Yosemite National Park, (209) 372-0200, www.nps.gov/yose.

HOW TO GET THERE

Arch Rock entrance: Drive to Merced and the junction of Highway 99 and Highway 140. From Merced, take Highway 140 east for 37 miles to Mariposa. Bear left (still 140), drive through Mariposa and continue east 30 miles to park boundary at El Portal. Continue ahead (past park kiosk) 6.4 miles (through Arch Rock and tunnel) to Southside Drive and drive 5.1 miles (through Yosemite Valley) to Half Dome Village (formerly Curry Village) on right and parking lot. Park and walk to the bus stop. Insider’s note: At Half Dome Village, continue over the bridge, past entrance to North Pines Campground, to a parking area on left, adjacent to stables. The closure of Yosemite Valley Stables means this parking area can often have space for early arrivals. Shuttle bus: From Half Dome Village, take the free shuttle to stop 16 at Happy Isles. Walk across bridge at Merced River to trailhead for Mist Trail. Distances to Half Dome Village (shortest routes available): 80 miles from Merced, 156 miles from Dublin, 163 miles from Sacramento, 169 miles from Concord, 185 miles from San Mateo, 188 miles from San Francisco, 195 miles from San Jose, 199 miles from San Rafael.