Eastern North Rim Traverse

The Eastern North Rim is an 18.1-mile one-way traverse from the Upper Yosemite Falls Trailhead by Camp 4 to Mirror Lake. It climbs past the top of Yosemite Falls and Yosemite Point, crosses North Dome, then descends Snow Creek. The route gains about 5,200 feet; allow roughly 12–14 hours with stops. This is an exceptionally strenuous full-day hike, best when the crossing itself is the goal. If you mainly want the waterfall, the 7.2-mile round trip to the top of Yosemite Fall is a much shorter option, though still steep.

The line here includes the Indian Rock detour to match the official 18.1-mile itinerary. Indian Rock is optional; skip that spur for a shorter crossing.

Start behind Camp 4 near shuttle stop #7. Camp 4 parking is reserved for campers; use the Yosemite Falls parking area across the road. The east end is at Mirror Lake near shuttle stop #17, so plan point-to-point transport back across the Valley. Snow Creek Trailhead has no parking. The Camp 4 drinking fountain is the last water source: there are no refills along the rim. Carry water for the whole crossing, not just the first climb. Dogs are not allowed on Yosemite trails.

The trail starts climbing quickly through oak woodland, with repeated switchbacks to Columbia Rock and its first wide Valley view. It keeps climbing over rough, loose granite to the top of Upper Yosemite Fall. The creek at the rim looks small beside the waterfall's 2,425-foot drop, but it flows directly over the edge; stay well back. The upper trail is steep and exposed. This historic route was built between 1873 and 1877. Continue east to Yosemite Point for close views of Lost Arrow Spire and a direct look toward Half Dome.

Beyond Yosemite Point, the route leaves the Valley-facing rim for forest, open glades and bare granite. North Dome gives a face-on view of Half Dome with Tenaya Canyon below and Clouds Rest behind it. The open summit is the best place to frame those landmarks together. The Indian Rock spur adds a natural granite arch, but it is a detour rather than a required stop. This is the Eastern North Rim; the separate Full North Rim continues farther west to El Capitan and is a much longer hike.

Snow Creek drops back toward the Valley on a long run of steep switchbacks. After roughly a dozen turns, views open across Half Dome, the Quarter Domes and Clouds Rest; the trail later leaves the open canyon wall for forest. Snow Creek Falls is nearby but cannot be seen from the trail. The descent reaches Mirror Lake and the eastern Valley.

Yosemite Fall is strongest in spring and can be down to a trickle by August. The upper Yosemite Falls trail and lower Snow Creek can be snow-covered or icy in winter. Much of the traverse is exposed, and summer heat adds to an already long climb and descent; check current trail conditions before setting out.