High Sierra Topix

Has anyone ever backpacked and camped to North Dome? I know it's not exactly a long hike and can be done for most people in a day, but I'm trying to get together some simple overnighters for the girlfriend. We already have planned the Chain Lakes trip as one, and I think she might enjoy North Dome as well.

Anyone ever camped there? Thoughts on it? Worth it?

yeah its worth it for sure. A very cool campsite a little off trail by basket dome as well.

Yes, well worth at least a night, very upclose/intimate views of Half Dome, and plenty of campsites available.

What was unclear to me is where would be the best place to bring water from? It looks like once the snow has melted it would be a dry campsite (I assume the place everyone means is in the trees just before you go out onto the done itself)

There is a seasonal creek (not on the map) before you get to the trail to Arch Rock on the way in. Supposedly there is a "spring" near North Dome itself, but when I was there years ago, it was dry. You could take the other trail that goes down Lemhamite Creek, get water there and it is 0.7miles to Arch Creek (which may or may not have water) then another 0.8 miles to the top of North Dome. I would do this trip early this year, because both Arch and Lemhamite Creek may go dry later, although both are shown as permanent streams on the map. A better bet for late season water, would be to instead to down to Snow Creek, and then camp on Pt 6780. It has a great view of Half Dome and Snow Creek is nearby for water.

I went there Memorial Day 2012 in the snow (viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7702) and even then all there was close to North Dome itself was a not very appealing looking puddle at the base of the dome.

We'll probably head up there for 3 days/2 nights over spring break (week of April 20) so I'll be interested to see where we can find water. But will definitely look at Pt 6780 for the first night after we climb the Snow Creek trail.

The closest dependable water I know is at Lehamite Creek--and that's a bit of a hike from North Dome.

the campsite by basket dome has a creek and great views too. I bet the creek dries up toward the end of summer though but not sure

Thanks for the information everyone. Anyone have photos of their actual campsite by chance? Always love those pictures. I assume you want to camp in the forest areas just before the dome, than on the dome itself?

The plan would be to do it sometime around the time when Tioga opens. I assume because most do this as a day hike a permit to camp would be easier to come by than other areas of the park, so hopefully water won't be a huge problem, but I'll just go by the old, "if there's water, top off."

camp by basket dome