Our trail follows up the East or Little Winkle Branch of Indian Creek, at the source of which the Porcupine Flat Trail branches to the left. The Mirror Lake Trail swings north of Indian Rock, and descends east to a branch of Snow Creek, passing Snow Creek Falls. Further down Snow Creek is the junction with the Lake Tenaya Trail (Trail Trips 5 and 6). Turning right we further descend Snow Creek and pass over the rim of the canyon between Basket Dome (Alt. 7602) at the right and Mt. Watkins (Alt. 8235) at the left. In the next one and a half miles a descent of 2500 feet is made by 108 switchbacks to the floor of Tenaya Canyon. Following down the canyon one mile, the trail joins the road at Mirror Lake. Yosemite is three miles distant by road.
TRAIL TRIP 4
YOSEMITE TO NORTH DOME via MIRROR LAKE AND RETURN via YOSEMITE FALLS TRAIL
Reverse of Trail Trip 3
(19.5 miles—10 hours)
This is a strenuous one-day climb. The advantage of taking the trip as follows and seeing the sunrise at Mirror Lake is more than offset by physical penalty of climbing the hot and steep Tenaya Trail zigzags. The trip is better taken in the reverse direction (Trail Trip 3). If the following route is adhered to, it is best to leave Yosemite as early as possible, carrying a canteen which should be filled about three-quarters of a mile above Mirror Lake.
Mirror Lake is three miles distant by road from Yosemite. Here our trail leaves the end of the road and skirts the west shore. Following up the canyon beneath the dense forest about one mile we suddenly turn left and start the 2500-foot ascent. From the 108 switchbacks are many fine views. After a long, tiresome climb the trail passes over the canyon rim between Mt. Watkins (Alt. 8235) at the right and Basket Dome (Alt. 7602) at the left. A short distance takes us to Snow Creek, which cascades beautifully further down its rough canyon. Turning upstream we soon arrive at a trail fork where the Tenaya Lake Trail (Trail Trip 6) turns right. We turn left, following up the west branch about a mile further. In high water Snow Creek Falls is especially attractive. The trail now makes a wide detour to the north of Indian Rock (Alt. 8526). If desirable, pedestrians may leave the trail and climb to its summit, from which are good views, thence following south down the long open ridge to the summit of North Dome.
The trail keeps at a lower elevation, passing thru almost level fir forests and meadows with a charming diversity of wild-flowers and trees. Gradually bearing southward our trail follows down the East or Little Winkle Branch of Indian Creek from its source. The main Snow Flat Trail continues down this stream, but we turn left on the plainly blazed cut-off trail to North Dome. Passing thru the dense forests on the west flank of Indian Ridge, we finally emerge on the open disintegrated granite at the crest of the long slope leading southward to North Dome. Here the Yosemite Falls Trail joins from the west. The rounded summit of North Dome (Alt. 7531) is now easily reached by a walk thru the open forest and over granite pavements, which here exhibit very well the geological phenomenon of exfoliation or weathering in concentric shells. Near the summit and to the north of the trail is Slipper Rock. From the top is a vast outlook, especially westward toward the Gates of the Valley and eastward where the great wall of Half Dome dominates the entire landscape. The floor of Yosemite Valley is partly hidden by the projecting Royal Arch Cliff. Daring rock climbers who have made the descent to the edge describe this dizzy precipice as one of the most impressive in the park.
In returning to Yosemite we take all main trails to the left. Retracing our path for about half a mile up Indian Ridge, we turn westward. One mile more thru dense forest takes us past a small stream and to the Little Winkle Branch of Indian Creek, where the main Snow Flat Trail joins from upstream. The steep canyon below was called "Le Hamite" by the Yosemite Indians because of the arrowwood which grew there. Their main trail into Yosemite followed along the precipitous east wall of the canyon.