Like a Bridge over Happy Isles

You go back down the hill from Mirror Lake and keep left to skate towards Happy Isles. When you get there you can stand on the bridge at Happy Isles and look down the Merced River at a bridge you crossed on your way to Mirror Lake.
You can see part of the bridge you crossed earlier in the distance on the left. The dome in the background on the left is North Dome.

There are restrooms, a snack bar and water at Happy Isles. Happy Isles is the start of the John Muir trail, which will lead you to Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls, Half Dome, and on to Tuolumne Meadows and beyond. Vernal Falls is a fun hike. It took me 40 minutes to hike to the top, but the trail goes through the mist from the falls, and you'll get soaked unless you have rain gear or a garbage bag on (with holes cut for head and arms).

I got totally soaked when I hiked it! :-)

Naturally, you can't skate on any of the hiking trails (it would be impossible anyway). The mist trail has a quarter mile of wet stairs to ascend at the falls, and good shoes or boots are highly recommended. If you go to Yosemite, you should consider a hike to Vernal Falls too.

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Last Updated: 5/6/96
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Howard Cohen - hoco@timefold.com
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