Camping on North Dome

[zigwig]

Hello everyone,

Never been to Yosemite, coming with my wife to California in August and we plan on visiting for a hike. Our choice is to hike to North Dome and we are thinking of camping there for the night. Is it possible to camp there? If so where in North Dome would be best to camp for one night?

Thanks guys!

[dan]

Yeah, you can camp there. Great view, no water, no shade.

Get water from a creek before camping.

There's a natural arch on the ridge north of north dome shown on some maps.

[AlmostThere]

Might want to see what it will take to get a permit. It's a popular spot. The porcupine trailhead is best if you do not care for long steep uphill climbs with backpacks. Remember also that a bear canister (mandatory) requires more careful packing.

[zigwig]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the replies. I sent a fax today for a wilderness permit. Plan to start at Porcupine Creek, stay one night near North Dome, and then wake up to see the sunrise and hike towards Yosemite Falls and end it there. After extensive research some people did camp near a saddle about five minutes from North Dome (with shade, no water though), im thinking thats a possible place. Waking up to the view of Half Dome itself would be cool but it's only 5 minutes, so ill walk up there to see the sunrise. Here's a link to a map showing where the camp location is:

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=37.75993,-119.55996&z=15&t=T

Plan is to stay one night only, don't think water will be a big issue if quantity consumed is regulated. In regards to bear canister any advice? No experience in using one

[Phil]

Hey,

I'm assuming you will want to use a tent, so camping directly on North Dome is going to be problematic from the standpoint of staking it out on the granite. You'll probably be better off if you try to find a site on the uplands above the trail spur to the dome, but don't expect to find many/any existing fire rings in the area. I agree, Porcupine Creek trail head is your best bet. On the way to North Dome, and not too far before the Indian Rock trail junction, get water at the creek you cross, because it's the last water you have unless you want to backtrack or hike through down towards Royal Arch Creek or Lehamite Creek. As for bear cans, rent one for $5 when you pick up your permit at any wilderness center or entrance station to the park. Make sure everything that goes in your mouth or on your skin is going to fit, no exceptions. Supposedly, the bears in that area have mastered the neat trick of rolling canisters off nearby cliffs and getting into them when they land and crack open, so keep your canister about 50' away from where you're sleeping, but make sure that it isn't susceptible to being pawed over the edge. The ranger you talk to will certainly tell you the whole drill. You should be light enough with only a day or two's food, so fit it inside your pack in whatever way works and carries best for you.

As an alternate place to camp, or just a cool place to visit for the day, but with a bit of a climb back to the car, you might want to check out the flats above Snow Creek Falls. It's an equally stellar view of Half Dome and Tenaya Canyon, readily available water, and no shortage of campsites. Well worth the extra effort.

Have fun.

[transponster]

I've camped at North Dome twice in the past few years and can verify that there are at least two campsites (with fire rings) in the wooded saddle area right before you get out to the dome itself. As others have said, it's dry, so get water somewhere else first. It's a beautiful spot though!