At Yosemite National Park, a landscape defined by breathtaking views and stunning scenery, the Mist Trail stands out.
“We’re excited about this,” said Frank Dean, a former Yosemite ranger and president of the Yosemite Conservancy. “The Mist Trail is the most popular trail in Yosemite and one of the most popular trails in the whole national park system. And for a good reason. It’s beautiful. There are waterfalls along the way to Half Dome. We want to make it a better experience for everyone.”
Plans call for rebuilding that bridge, and also installing interpretive signs in a forested area at the new trailhead. Kevin Killian, chief ranger at Yosemite, said that he anticipates the work will be done in stages, and won’t require the trail to be closed. The trail, which connects the valley to Little Yosemite Valley and Half Dome, was a route for native tribes before California became a state. It was a popular route for tourists starting in the 1870s and was later upgraded by crews from President Franklin Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration in the 1930s.
This year the conservancy will donate $17 million for more than 50 projects, educational programs and research efforts.