Scaling North Dome for a Peak View of Half Dome

Reaching the top of North Dome rewards the hiker with what is likely the most captivating and complete panorama of Yosemite Valley. Some Half Dome supporters say the Yosemite icon offers superior views, but North Dome devotees are quick to point out that North Dome offers something Half Dome can’t: a spectacular view of Half Dome.

At the top of North Dome, a panorama of polished stone unfolds that includes Cloud’s Rest, Glacier Point, Sentinel Dome and more.

Seen from the Yosemite Valley floor, 7,552-foot North Dome looms over the north wall of Tenaya Canyon, opposite Half Dome. It appears impossible to ascend, but surprisingly, the rounded mass of granite can be traveled and is topped by a moderately graded pathway.

The path to the dome begins at Porcupine Flat (formerly a campground, closed in 1976 and relocated a mile down Tioga Road). Porcupine Flat is home to scores of the namesake rodents, whose favorite food is the inner bark of conifers and, especially, the area’s lodgepole pines.

Besides the lodgepoles, a generous selection of other Yosemite trees may be glimpsed en route: silver pine, Jeffrey pine, red fir and huckleberry oak. Several life zones overlap at this elevation (about 4,000 feet), creating this intriguing collection of trees. Those curious hikers who want to learn more about Yosemite’s conifers can take Cones and Needles Trail, a short interpretive path that begins at a turnout on Tioga Road just west of the North Dome trail head.

An intermediate destination--or added attraction--on this hike is Indian Rock, an unusual stone arch perched atop Indian Ridge. The delicate 20-foot arch, scarcely a foot thick, is not Yosemite’s only arch (another is below the surface of the Tuolumne River in Tuolumne Meadows), but it is the only one accessible to hikers.

Directions to trail head: Signed North Dome trail head is off Tioga Road (California Highway 120) 24 miles east of Crane Flat and one mile east of Porcupine Flat Campground.

The hike: Follow the old campground road (first paved, then dirt) for 0.7 mile. The route narrows to signed Porcupine Creek Trail, crosses two branches of Porcupine Creek and wanders through the forest for 0.8 mile more.

At the 1.5-mile mark, you’ll intersect Snow Creek Trail. Walk right a dozen paces, then veer left almost immediately at a second junction.

The path begins a mellow ascent of Indian Ridge. Two miles out, the tree cover parts to permit a so-so view of Yosemite Valley. A switchbacking climb brings you to a saddle and to a signed side trail to Indian Rock.

Indian Rock Connector Trail (0.25 mile) makes a steep ascent up rocky Indian Ridge, gains the ridge top and travels north to the arch--or Indian Ridge Arch, as it’s sometimes called.

From the saddle, North Dome Trail descends along the forested crest of Indian Ridge for 1.2 miles more to meet the trail to Yosemite Falls about four miles from the trail head. Turn left and descend some tight switchbacks to the shoulder of North Dome, then across the top of the long, bald dome. The hike takes about eight hours and can be strenuous.

Savor the incomparable view of the Merced River flowing through Yosemite Valley and identify the waterfalls cascading from the valley walls. Along with El Capitan, Three Brothers and the other prominent landmarks, be sure to look out at Little Yosemite Valley and Mt. Starr King.

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North Dome Trail

WHERE: Tioga Pass corridor, Yosemite National Park

DISTANCE: From Tioga Road to Indian Rock is 6.1 miles round trip; North Dome summit is 9 miles round trip with 600-foot elevation gain.

TERRAIN: Lodgepole pine forest, long bald dome.

HIGHLIGHTS: The most stunning and complete view of Yosemite Valley, in the opinion of many hikers.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate to strenuous.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Yosemite National Park, P.O. Box 577, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389; tel. (209) 372-0200.