See our description, photos and practical information for North Dome and join in with our trekking and hiking forums to find out why we think so! North Dome is one of the top walks in California, Yosemite, USA, and one of the world's best walk, treks, hikes and climbs. All in all, this is an excellent hike with a great payoff. You'll have a few springs to ford if you hike to North Dome early in the ⦠You will pass a number of stream crossings, which you can easily get across by walking on the rocks or a fallen tree branch. The trail starts at Porcupine Creek Trailhead off Tioga Pass. To hike the North Dome trail, you will need to park at the Porcupine Creek Trailhead. Wind through mixed-conifer forest for 0.7 miles (1 km) on a paved path, and cross Porcupine Creek. We hiked to North Dome. No other destination in the park is as close as North Dome for looking directly into the face of Half Dome. You start up a crest and encounter boulders that are worth climbing around on and taking in the views. A quick side-trip takes you to Yosemiteâs only natural arch, which is worth a visit. Like its counterpart in Yosemite, North Dome has some excellent rock climbing of a very high standard. Hike North Dome & Mount Sherrill. This unique rock formation was really a nice added bonus during my hike. We had heard that the views are amazing, and the hike is long, but worth it. Day 2 - Embark on your hike to top of North Dome, which should ⦠Itâs approximately3.8 miles to North Dome from here undulating up and down a couple ridges.Before long you hike around a smaller dome as North Dome comes into view. The first several miles of the trail is through the forest and is a fairly easy/moderate hike. Climb the dome’s rounded summit to take in a magnificent view of Half Dome and Yosemite Valley below. North Dome and Mount Sherrill is a 7.4 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near West Kill, New York that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. There is a limited view part way up the mountain in the winter. Looking to the southwest is Yosemite Valley, with Sentinel Rock and Glacier Point to the left, the Cathedral Rocks and Merced River in the center, and the tip of El Cap peeking over the ridge to the right. It was just a brief excursion off the main North Dome trail, and I highly recommend it. Hikers gain 4,800 feet of elevation along the trail that passes highlights such as Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall , before reaching the cables on Half Domeâs steep granite domes. The drop is between 500 and 600 ft. Now the 500 ft. climb to Sherrill begins with an initial steep area which levels out near the summit of Mt. At each of several trail junctions, follow the signs toward North Dome. Hike Length: 8.3 miles (13.36 km) North Dome is a beautiful granite formation near the end of the Highway 180 in Kings Canyon National Park. There's a net loss of elevation on your trek to North Dome, but you'll go over several hills on the way. North Dome also offers an unsurpassed view of Clouds Rest, a peak that tends to get obscured by scene-stealing Half Dome when you're sightseeing from Glacier Point or Yosemite Valley. Offers great views of the surrounding area. Be sure to take plenty of water as this trail is very exposed at parts and there is not much available along the way. You can climb up from the valley floor which is a longer and more strenuous hike. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching. The first several miles of the trail is through the forest and is a fairly easy/moderate hike. Best Time to Visit: whenever Tioga Road is open - roughly June to November. IN COORDINATION WITH PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDELINES, YOSEMITE IS ONLY OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM DAILY. Visually North Dome is a prominent landmark in Yosemite Valley, amazingly many have not heard of it. Looking for lodging? This hike begins with an easy section of marked trail on the Devilâs Path but then switches to one of the most challenging Catskills bushwhacks. There is 2 other alternative trail routes if the Tioga Pass is closed, you start at the Upper Yosemite Falls trail and continue along the Snow Creek Trail to North Dome and Indian Rock. Climbing on North Dome is very reminicent of climbing in Yosemite Valley without the crowds. Because the road is only open seasonally, itâs important to verify conditions with the National Park Service before attempting this hike. The trail passes through a small grassy meadow and descends along a ridge. Continue hiking towards North Dome, as the trail leavesthe rim and heads into the red fir and lodgepole pine forest. Check out my ⦠On the return trip you can take a short detour on a side trail, 0.3 mile (0.5 km) to an unusual natural arch, Indian Rock. The other is to start on the Snow Creek Trail via Mirror Lake loop (which is a slog of a trail) but if you’re into that kind of thing, you will be thrilled at the countless switchbacks. The ledges of North Dome will absolutely test your nerve. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Compare elevation, range, calories and other trail metrics. From the South Bay Area, the drive takes about four hours ⦠The hike up to North Dome and Sherrill Mountain do not have a view from the summit. Find a place to camp for the night - there's fire pit located at the top of the ridge with awesome views for an overnight stay. There are also views from the south eastern side of the summit of Sherrill Mountain, which is NOT marked on our map. On the trail to North Dome The hike itself is fairly unremarkable⦠at least in a park like Yosemite with stellar views around every corner. We hiked to North Dome. You walk downhill through a beautiful forest, meadows and past unique rocks. Sherrill ⦠The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. The ledges of North Dome will absolutely test your nerve. Download the free Yosemite Falls topo map. The elevation gain is about 1200 ft. until you arrive at the canister on the summit of North Dome (3610 ft.) Head west again and drop into the Col between North Dome and Mt. The hike starts out fairly easy and actually decreases in elevation from the road to North Dome. Park is as close as North Dome are treated to amazing views all! Boulders that are worth climbing around on and taking in the Park is as close as North Dome a. Face of Half Dome and Yosemite Valley without the major crowds beautiful granite formation near the end of Highway. 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