Porcupine Creek - North Dome

From the trailhead at Porcupine Flat, head downhill and meet the old road following it to Porcupine Creek at 0.7 miles. You continue through a red fir and lodgepole pine forest that climbs slightly for over a mile until you arrive at a series of trail junctions. Keep straight though the first junction, and then at another fork, keep left toward North Dome. The trail moves steadily uphill either through forest or over open rock until you reach Indian Ridge. Here, you encounter the spur trail to Indian Arch, which is worth the trip either now or on your way back from Half Dome. The trail continues south along Indian Ridge before it drops sharply to the left where it picks up a ridgeline. You now start to encounter stupendous views of El Capitan, Half Dome, Clouds Rest, the Three Brothers, and Mount Starr King. You'll descend over slick granite rock at this point until you hit a junction at 3.9 miles. The trail goes to the left and south, and while you feel like you are on the wrong trail or moving away from North Dome, you are on the trail. You pass Basket Dome on your way up to a saddle, and then work your way up the crown of North Dome. When you reach the summit, you'll be rewarded for your work by some of the finest views in Yosemite. Merced Canyon, Yosemite Valley, Illiouette Gorge, and Tenaya Canyon all meet below North Dome. Half Dome, Clouds Rest, Quarter Domes, Glacier Point, Mount Starr King, and the stars of the valley are all in view at this point. Once you have enjoyed the views and explored the area, return to the trailhead via the way you came.