Start at the parking lot opposite Upper Pines Campground on Happy Isles Loop Road (there is no public vehicle access on this road after this point). Head along the roadside trail towards Mirror Lake Trailhead (keep right at the intersection at 2km to leave the loop road). At about 2.5km there are toilets on the left.
Leave the road here and take Valley Loop Trail, turning right after the toilets to head northeast along the trail. At about 5.3km you meet the trail junction of Snow Creek Trailhead. Take the left-hand trail heading uphill on Snow Creek Trail. This climbs steeply up the valley wall, easing off a little after about 3km, but still continuing uphill.
At about 9.4km, keep left to leave Snow Creek Trail and take the trail leading you around the back of Indian Rock. This trail meets North Dome Trail at 13.8km, which you follow until the turn-off to Indian Rock at 15.5km. This is a fun and scrambly side excursion taking you up to the gorgeous views at Indian Rock. Be aware you'll have to do a little easy scrambling on the granite to get the best views.
Retrance your steps back to North Dome Trail and follow it until your second detour off the trail at 19.5km. This one is a little shorter and takes you onto North Dome. Retrace your steps back to the trail and continue on, undulating through the forest on a general descent. The real descending starts at about 26.5km at Lost Arrow Spire.
The trail meets Upper Yosemite Fall Trail and starts switchbacking down. You'll start to meet a lot of day hikers on this trail visiting the falls lookouts - the lower you go the more people there are! Make sure you stop and enjoy the massive waterfall.
Follow Upper Yosemite Falls Trail all the way down until you get to the trailhead on Northside Drive.
