Distance: 2.8 miles (4.5 km) round trip
Trailhead Elevation: 8,500 feet (2,550 meters)
Dog Lake Elevation: 9,240 feet (2,815 meters)
Elevation Gain: 750 feet (225 meters)
The red line shows the route from the trailhead, which is at the eastern end of Tuolumne Meadows, to Dog Lake. There's only 750 feet of elevation gain on this hike, but you'll get most of it right at the start. If you can survive the first half, you'll find easy going the rest of the way.
The green line shows the trail to Lembert Dome, which has memorable views looking down on Tuolumne Meadows and is a natural pairing with the Dog Lake hike if you want to stretch your legs for an extra mile or two.
You can continue north from Dog Lake, but while most of the trails in Yosemite connect in a vast web that you can follow to nearly anywhere in the park if you're willing to pursue a circuitous enough route, this one dead-ends at Young Lakes, 4.5 miles (7.5 km) north of Dog Lake.