You just can’t get any better views of snowy Clouds Rest and Half Dome from this trail. The Porcupine Flat approach is the shortest and flattest of the three, but it is accessible only when Tioga Road is open for overnight parking. Here the trail turns due north along Indian Ridge and up the headwaters of Snow Creek. Prepare well, drink much water, eat many salty snacks and enjoy! It's relatively flat and easy, and you can take either the north or south sides to reach the Snow Creek trail proper, though the south side is periodically closed by rockslides. The Snow Creek Canyon Trail ends here at a 3-way intersection with the Snow Creek Falls Trail (heading south to the Valley) and the Snow Creek - Porcupine Creek Trail (eventually connecting in the west with trails to North Dome). There are signs but you will need to pay attention to see them. The trail starts at Mirror Lake and climbs to Snow Creek Falls and North Dome, then converges to the Upper Falls trail: Get off the shuttle bus at the Mirror Lake stop Walk about 1km on the paved road to Mirror Lake (note: the lake is not visible from the trail) Follow the unpaved trail to the junction with the trail going to Happy Isles. In spring, that was a good thing: we had the trail almost to ourselves. Enjoy the rest the day at your leisure. Day 4 . Opt to turn around at any point, or continue the strenuous climb as the canyon opens to panoramic vistas culminating at Snow Creek Footbridge. But we were in luck and snagged a permit from Porcupine Creek… Some trails or park services may be closed this weekend so check with local authorities before heading out. On the last day of your adventure, your guide will finish with a descent along Snow Creek Trail to the beginning of the loop. We continue on to the beginning of Snow Creek Trail, a steep climb out of the Valley that delivers views of Half Dome, Quarter Domes and Clouds Rest. Yeah, its a shame- that's a pretty scenic spot w/ Half Dome right across the canyon. From North Dome, we will have outstanding views of Half Dome and Clouds Rest. Distance: 9.4 mi round trip Elevation gain: 2,700 ft Difficulty: Strenuous Time: 6-7 hours Trailhead: Mirror Lake . This trail can be pretty intense but it's also very rewarding so I'd say it's worth it. This is a decent stretch of 2.5 miles until youhead down into the Snow Creek Valley. Take the Indian Rock Trail spur either on your way to or back from North Dome to view the only granite Arch in Yosemite, and the whole High Sierras. Day 4 The group packs up camp and we finish our loop by descending the Yosemite Snow Creek Trail. The trail worked its way along the calmer water for a bit longer with more views of North Dome and Basket Dome before dipping into the trees and away from the creek. "Due to bear activity along the Snow Creek trail and the potential for bear/human interactions the area to the south and east of the footbridge is closed to overnight camping and unattended food (even if stores properly). We assumed North Dome would be booked out, and we’d have to hike in from an alternate trail (like Snow Creek). You almost need to slide down it (and wonder how on earth you are going to get back up -- but you will). interested in hiking trails with fewer people, the Snow Creek and Pohono Trails are fine choices with stunning views. Updated November 10, 2017 This route is largely just about Half Dome and the views of the valley below. An alternative route (all downhill) is to start on Tioga Rd and descend to the Snow Creek footbridge, then finish the trip via Mirror Lake in the Valley. Started 8:30am, return 11pm. Yosemite: North Dome via Snow Creek Hiking trail in Curry Village, California (United States). On this hike, there was a tree that had fallen next to the big rock. A wilderness permit must be obtained for overnight trips. A storm (some snow, mostly wind) ravaged our unprotected camp that night, making it tough to sleep, and very nearly blew my tent down at one point. The first part of the path contains an approx few meter fairly sharp incline. I exited the trees at the base of Half Dome, towering high above. After an early breakfast, runners will head east following the north rim of the valley before summiting El Cap and North Dome. Offers great views of the surrounding area. Both of the ways we’ve managed to see Snow Creek Falls involved going to the east end of Yosemite Valley. All Posts; Guides; General Information; Local Stories; Search. The Snow Creek Trail is the toughest trail out of the Yosemite Valley. Near the close of day we arrived at our campspot on North Dome, but we scarcely had enough time to properly set up camp and photograph the fantastic surroundings. 3000 Foot Ascent of Snow Creek Trail; Summit of North Dome; Description. Download its GPS track and follow the itinerary on a map. Our goal is to camp along Snow Creek this evening, at an elevation of about 7,000 feet (2,134 m). Today's hike will be about 8 miles (12.9 km). Day 2 We awoke to a pervasive grayness, with snow flurries to boot. The Snow Creek Canyon Trail ends here at a 3-way intersection with the Snow Creek Falls Trail (heading south to the Valley) and the Snow Creek - Porcupine Creek Trail (eventually connecting in the west with trails to North Dome). Snow Creek is one of the only places you can camp in the backcountry with a perfect view of Half Dome from the tent. As mentioned above, this description of the Snow Creek Trail bear repeating: Hikers, myself included, would describe the trail as “strenuous” and “brutally difficult.” It is the steepest of the five trails from the Yosemite Valley floor. Help keep our trails and parks open during COVID-19 by committing to social distancing. I completed the loop above in two days between the 15th and 16th of May. Snow Creek trail is not as popular as some of Yosemite’s other trails. While you can hike up to North Dome from Yosemite Valley (usually as a strenuous backpacking trip up the Upper Yosemite Fall Trail or Snow Creek Trail), hiking to North Dome from Tioga Road makes for a more manageable day hike through Yosemite's forested high country. You have to be beyond the footbridge. Trail Report: Snow Creek - Indian Rock - North Dome - Upper Yosemite Falls - Camp 4. North Dome is a granite dome in Yosemite National Park, California.It is the southernmost summit of Indian Ridge, 0.6 miles (1.0 km) north of Washington Column and the Royal Arches on the northeastern wall of Yosemite Valley.It can be reached by trail from the Tioga Pass Road, or by going up the Yosemite Falls trail and heading east. You’ll be back in Yosemite Valley for lunchtime and descending the more than two miles (2,500 feet) will certainly work up an appetite. A wonderful boulder field full of white rock extended across the path from a fall years ago. About 1 mile past Mirror Lake, the Snow Creek Trail takes off to the left, near a big rock. Up Snow Creek switchbacks just past Mirror Lake, around Indian Peak (didn't do peak or even visit arch, sigh), to N. Dome, then on to Yosemite Falls and descent after dark. When you get to the junction of the Snow Creek Trail on the left, keep hiking straight. As soon as the Snow Creek Trial forks off, we started that steep, uphill portion full of switchbacks. Lot of "bang for the buck," on this short trip, spending 3 days backpacking Yosemite Valley's North Rim. The Snow Creek Trail coming in from the left is met first, then ~100' further the trail that leads down Lehamite Creek and eventually to the top of Yosemite Falls continues straight and the Indian Ridge/North Dome trail heads left (southeast). The area around North Dome is very exposed with few trees, so make sure you have plenty of water and sunscreen. AllThingsYosemite. Follow signs to Mirror Lake, continue past the lake, and turn left onto Snow Creek Trail. This is a wonderfully scenic trip with moderate days and highlights including hiking alongside the highest waterfall in North America (Yosemite Falls-2,425') and some of the best views of Yosemite Valley and Half Dome in the entire Park. Then the fun begins soon after the SnowCreek footbridge with a steep 3.8 mile decent down into Tenaya Canyon andMirror Lake. The red line marks the Tenaya Creek Canyon loop trail, which passes Mirror Lake and returns to Yosemite Valley. When you are near the end, the trail to North Dome will be on your left and is marked with a bunch of rocks, lining the start of the path. On This Page Navigation Winter view looking east from the Snow Creek trail Trail Overview. North Dome may be approached via Yosemite Falls (described here), Snow Creek (also in Yosemite Valley), Porcupine Flat (on Tioga Road), or fifth-class climbing up the face of the dome. This is the beginning of the steepest section. Well worth the switchbacks from Mirror Lake! It is steep and I while I was hiking up it, I was sure that the trail had about a million switchbacks, but the guidebooks say that it only has about 100. I spoke to the rangers and Tenaya Lake outlet is still probably chest deep (slow moving) freezing water. Trails start at 4,000 feet and often climb to above 7,000 feet in as little as four miles; pack plenty of food, water, and warm clothes to deal with these rapidly changing conditions. Once you arrive at Mirror Lake it’s less than a mile tocivilization. Hitchhiking or the YARTS bus will bring you back to the car. The trail to the left takes you down to ... Once you are back on the North Dome Trail, there is more uphill hiking as you approach Indian Rock. Some trails or park services may be closed this weekend so check with local authorities before heading out. After you have reached the top of the Snow Creek Trail you will feel like you are right across from the top of Half Dome. Explore the North Rim of Yosemite Valley on this three or four day excursion into John Muir’s famous “Range of Light.” This trip is a great early season Yosemite adventure up to the rim that overlooks one of the world’s scenic treasures, Yosemite Valley. After you venture beyond Mirror Lake, you'll be rewarded with views across Tenaya Canyon and be dwarfed by Half Dome as you climb out of Yosemite Valley, one switchback at a time. My recommendations are start early because you will be doing a lot of this hike in the sun, sunscreen in a must because of the amount of sweating you will be doing, bug spray, and plenty of water. Take time to summit the dome, it only adds another mile to your trek and is well worth it. Then continue to reach the Snow Creek Trail and bed down for the evening. Many of the areas along the rim of the valley are day-use-only zones. The final miles of trail bring runners directly into Porcupine Flat campground and the awaiting food, drinks, showers, and relaxation. FromNorth Dome the trail heads north gaining some elevation as it follows Indianridge and around Indian Rock. Along the way, a side trip to Indian Rock allows hikers to see a beautiful and rare granite arch formation. North Dome hike on Snow Creek Trail (in red), starting from near the Upper Pines Campground in Yosemite Valley. From the dome, head North to the top of an exposed dirt area and you should see a small off shoot to your right and Indian Arch rock in the distance, also, a great side hike that only adds a ½ mile or so. At the top of the climb you’ll reach the intersection for the Indian Rock Trail. My original plan was to loop around Tenaya and Clouds Rest but I changed plans because of the snow storm. The next day you will hike east out of the creek toward North Dome. 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