4 min
Overview
A moderate 9.5 mile hike to North Dome – a granite promontory with commanding views of Half Dome, Cloud’s Rest and the Yosemite Valley below. This meandering trail on the north rim of the valley is usually not crowded, providing a nice break from the throngs in the valley. The trail is mostly shaded, but it’s also mostly uphill on the return trip – so conserve some energy. A short side trip to Indian Rock will get you up close to Yosemite’s only natural arch formation. A highly-recommended hike. Most people would agree that Half Dome is probably the main attraction in Yosemite – it’s an immensely popular trail to a impressive monolith visible from just about every corner of the park. But the main trail to the summit is almost always jam packed, and even some of the more easily-reachable viewpoints can often feel more like Disneyland than a National Park. However, if you’re looking for a fantastic view of Half Dome and Cloud’s Rest without having to deal with the crowds, the trail to North Dome should definitely be on your radar. The trailhead is in the northern section of the park, past Porcupine Flat on Tioga Pass Road (which is closed during the winter and sometimes in inclement weather, too), and is one of those “backward” trails where the ascent is done on the way out. Look for a small parking area on the south side of Tioga, marked by a trailhead sign and some outhouses. The first 0.2 miles are on an old paved road that looks like it’s currently in the process of returning to its natural state. Eventually, you’ll cross a four-way junction with a trail that heads to the Porcupine Flat campground. Ignore it and continue straight, heading south into the forest. For the next 1.3 miles, the trail continues south through some beautifully quiet Sierra forest. You’ll be surrounded by tall evergreens and cross a few small creeks and meadows as the trail levels out a bit after the initial descent near the trailhead. Enjoy the soft ground beneath your feet, and the fact that you’re not pushing through crowds of touri
Trail Stats
15.7 km
284 m
2541 m
2254 m
—
Photos
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.