North Dome Loop via Yosemite Falls Trail

The North Dome Loop is one of the most challenging and rewarding hikes on the northern rim of Yosemite Valley. This is an alternative to the often crowded Mist, Panorama, or 4-Mile Trails. Or if you are not able to grab a permit to hike Half Dome, this is a great choice. Some of the highlights include hiking to the top of North America's tallest waterfall, Columbia Rock, Yosemite Point with direct views of Half Dome, North Dome with a 270-degree panorama of the entire valley, Snow Creek Falls, and the tranquil Mirror Lake.

The trail begins at the Yosemite Falls trail and ends up at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley near Mirror Lake, which you can make a loop depending on where you start. I would recommend taking the free bus to the Visitor Parking/Camp 4 (#7) stop to cut off some miles. Begin your adventure hiking up Yosemite Falls Trail found in the back of Camp 4. Soon you rise above the valley floor as views of Yosemite Valley and iconic landmarks come into view. After you climb 1,000 feet, you come to Columbia Rock with a vista of Half Dome to the east and Cathedral Rocks to the west. The next leg is the upper half of the trail, which is steep and rocky. You will climb another 1,700 feet in elevation to the top of the valley, totaling 3.6 miles. Congratulate yourself at this point, knowing you have hiked most of the elevation. Make sure to hike out to the rim of Yosemite Falls and enjoy its stunning beauty and majestic views of the valley.

At the top of the Yosemite Falls Trail, extend your hike east to Yosemite Point (follow signs for North Dome). It is only 0.8 miles to Yosemite Point, which offers unique views of Half Dome, gives you an opportunity to see Lost Arrow Spire, and provides panoramic views of many other peaks like Eagle Peak, part of the Three Brothers. Continue hiking towards North Dome, as the trail leaves the rim and heads into the red fir and lodgepole pine forest. It's approximately 3.8 miles to North Dome from here, undulating up and down a couple of ridges. Before long, you hike around a smaller dome as North Dome comes into view. Enjoy the scenery and continue hiking down and out to North Dome. Wander around North Dome, soaking in the incredible views before you. To the east is Basket Dome, Tenaya Canyon, and Clouds Rest. The magnificent granite edifice of Half Dome is almost directly in front of you. Then to the west is the valley floor before you, with Glacier Point, Cathedral Rocks, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls. If you hang out long enough, you might run into a climber making it to the top of North Dome.

From North Dome, the trail heads north, gaining some elevation as it follows Indian Ridge and around Indian Rock. This is a decent stretch of 2.5 miles until you head down into the Snow Creek Valley. Then the fun begins soon after the Snow Creek footbridge with a steep 3.8-mile descent down into Tenaya Canyon and Mirror Lake. Once you arrive at Mirror Lake, it's less than a mile to civilization, where you can take the shuttle at the Mirror Lake Trailhead back to your starting point.