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Clark Point
Where the John Muir Trail rejoins the Mist Trail above Vernal Fall
About
Clark Point marks the spot where the John Muir Trail — the drier alternative to the Mist Trail's granite steps — rejoins the route near the top of Vernal Fall in Yosemite Valley. It isn't a trailhead of its own; it's a junction and overlook most hikers pass through as part of the Mist Trail/John Muir Trail loop out of Happy Isles.
The Loop Hike
Most hikers climb the Mist Trail's wet granite steps past Vernal Fall, then return via the John Muir Trail through Clark Point for a drier descent, or do it in reverse. AllTrails logs the full Vernal Fall and Clark Point via Mist and John Muir Loop at about 4.7 miles round trip with roughly 1,600 feet of elevation gain, rated hard, typically 3 to 3.5 hours.
What You'll See
The overlook opens up views back down the canyon toward Vernal Fall and ahead toward Nevada Fall and Liberty Cap — a good place to catch your breath away from the footbridge crowd below. The point is named for Galen Clark, Yosemite's first Guardian, honored by the Yosemite Valley Commissioners in 1891.
Know Before You Go
From July 27 through October, the Mist Trail's granite-step section closes Monday–Thursday, roughly 7 am–3:30 pm, for repair work, staying open Friday–Sunday, holidays, and overnight hours; the John Muir Trail via Clark Point is the standard detour during those closures. Trail conditions in this canyon change with rockfall and repair work, so check the park's current conditions page before you go, especially past Nevada Fall. The granite near the falls stays wet and slick well past spring runoff, and the river above both falls has a real history of drownings — stay on the trail and behind the railings no matter how calm the water looks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clark Point a hike on its own?
No — it's a junction on the Mist Trail/John Muir Trail loop above Vernal Fall, not a standalone trail. Most hikers pass through it as part of that loop out of Happy Isles.
How do you get to Clark Point?
Take the Mist Trail from Happy Isles past the Vernal Fall footbridge and up the granite steps to the top of Vernal Fall, or follow the John Muir Trail's switchbacks instead — both routes meet at Clark Point.
Are there current trail closures affecting Clark Point?
The Mist Trail's granite-step section has weekday daytime restrictions in season — closed roughly 7 am–3:30 pm Monday–Thursday from July 27 through October, staying open Friday–Sunday, holidays, and overnight — with the John Muir Trail through Clark Point as the detour. Beyond that, always check the NPS Yosemite conditions page before you go, since rockfall and repair work can close sections of trail past Nevada Fall on short notice.
Is the hike to Clark Point difficult?
It's rated hard as part of the full loop — wet granite steps on the Mist Trail side, a longer but gentler climb on the John Muir Trail side. Sturdy, grippy footwear matters either way.
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