Upper Yosemite Falls to North Dome

Overview

The trail starts at the top of Yosemite Falls and makes it way to North Dome with views of Yosemite Falls, Yosemite Valley, and major peaks like Clouds Rest, Half Dome, Sentinel Dome, and Glacier Point. <br><br>You have a couple of options to get to the starting point. You can hike up from the Valley via the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail or hike in from Tioga Road via the Yosemite Creek Trail. Another alternative is to hike in from Big Oak Flat Road on the North Rim trail, a trail that takes you to the top of El Capitan and Eagle Peak before reaching Yosemite Falls.<br><br>Your trail begins at the top of Yosemite Falls, so make sure you take in Yosemite Creek as it plunges over the edge of the North Rim. If it's spring, the roar of the water as it plunges over the edge is breathtaking. Once you've taken in the view from the precipice, cross the footbridge over Yosemite Falls Creek. This is a good place to fill your water bottles, but make sure you don't slip and fall in as it's a short trip to a long drop. Follow a series of switchbacks until you reach the metal railing at Yosemite Point. Off to your right, you'll see Lost Arrow, where you may catch climbers slack-lining from the rim to the top of the rock. Directly below you is Yosemite Village and off to your left is Half Dome, Glacier Point, and Clouds Rest.<br><br>You start up a crest and encounter boulders that are worth climbing around on. The trail descends into a forest of white furs and Jeffrey pines before it bottoms out in a red-fir gully. Indian Canyon Creek provides a chance to get water before you start climbing out of the canyon. Other creeks on the rim routinely dry up, especially in late July and August. <br><br>Once you pass Indian Canyon Creek, the trail begins climbing until you encounter the Lehamite Creek Trail, a trail that leads to Tioga Road. The trail continues straight ahead as it climbs, steeply at times, over a ridge and then descends to Royal Arch Creek, another seasonal creek. A series of switchbacks carries the trail to the top of

Trail Stats

Photos

Birds on the trail!

Birds on the trail!

The Lehamite Creek Trail departs the Upper Yosemite Falls to North Dome Trail and begins climbing toward Tioga Road.

The Lehamite Creek Trail departs the Upper Yosemite Falls to North Dome Trail and begins climbing toward Tioga Road.

Indian Creek crosses the North Rim Trail during early summer after a large snowpack.

Indian Creek crosses the North Rim Trail during early summer after a large snowpack.

A view toward Tioga Road north of the trail.

A view toward Tioga Road north of the trail.

The trail passes through a large burned out section. You can see the forest regenerating as you pass along the trail.

The trail passes through a large burned out section. You can see the forest regenerating as you pass along the trail.

Area around Yosemite Point.

Area around Yosemite Point.

Yosemite Creek turning into Yosemite Falls from the bridge.

Yosemite Creek turning into Yosemite Falls from the bridge.

Boulders with outstanding views!

Boulders with outstanding views!

Yosemite Creek as it makes it way to Rim where it plunges over the edge.

Yosemite Creek as it makes it way to Rim where it plunges over the edge.

Yosemite Creek right before it turns into Upper Yosemite Falls.

Yosemite Creek right before it turns into Upper Yosemite Falls.

Glacier Point and Sentinel Dome from Yosemite Point.

Glacier Point and Sentinel Dome from Yosemite Point.

Looking toward the Merced and Tenaya Caynon drainages, with Yosemite Valley stretching below.

Looking toward the Merced and Tenaya Caynon drainages, with Yosemite Valley stretching below.

Looking toward Half Dome, North Dome, and Clouds Rest, as well as Mount Starr King and the high country in the background.

Looking toward Half Dome, North Dome, and Clouds Rest, as well as Mount Starr King and the high country in the background.

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