North Dome via Snow Creek

[running and rambling]

Hi All -

Our family is looking to hike from Curry Village to North Dome via Snow Creek trail as a day hike in the next 1-2 weeks. We're fairly strong hikers, and did the round trip from Curry to Half Dome in a day earlier this summer. Round trip mileage to North Dome seems roughly equivalent (a bit longer, even?), but is the degree of difficulty similar as well? And how much extra time/distance would it be to make a loop down to Camp 4 via Yosemite Falls trail and then take a bus back to Curry? The mileage isn't so much an issue as running out of daylight. Any other suggestions for this route are welcome also. Thanks!

[dan]

It's similar difficulty. The Snow Creek trail is where you get most (but not all) the elevation gain. It's a steep trail, but has many switchbacks. You have a big advantage of having a close-up, in-your-face view of the north face of Half Dome.

Once you reached North Dome, hike north, up along the ridge for a mile or less to Delicate Arch. It's a natural arch and worth seeing--the only one I know of in Yosemite. It's marked on some, but not all maps.

Friends of mine did the tail from Snow Creek and down Yosemite Falls. They are strong hikers but it was tough for them. They had a big disadvantage of it being spring with lots of snow on the trail. I'd say, snow free, it's about 2 extra hours hiking the North Rim trail between Snow Creek and Yosemite Falls. I think you should keep an option of going back via Snow Creek and decide depending on the time and how you feel. You have the advantage of hiking downhill when you're tired. I think it's a little aggressive to do it all, especially with the short days now.

[running and rambling]

Thanks for the quick response, Dan. I think our plan is to hike south on Indian Ridge to North Dome after going up Snow Creek, and then head over to Yosemite Point and Falls. Might be a headlamp situation at the beginning and/or end, but that's OK. And we'll definitely keep the option of heading back down the way we came.

One follow-up question: am I correct to assume that the water crossings on the North Rim will be manageable at this time of year? Barring any fluke winter storms between now and then, of course.

[dan]

Snow Creek and Yosemite Creek both have bridges on the North Rim Trail. The other water crossings are just simple rock hopping. Right now, the small creeks may be pretty dry.

[running and rambling]

Awesome. I'll follow-up here with a link to a photo report if we end up pulling this off. Thanks again for your help!