Mountain climbing Half Dome is a ceremony of passage for outside fans and ranks among the many most well-known hikes within the US.
Etched into the gorgeous canvas of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, Half Dome is known for its sheer granite face and the enduring (however nerve-wracking) metal cables you need to climb to succeed in the summit.
Mountain climbing Half Dome just isn’t for the faint of coronary heart – it’s an especially strenuous day hike spanning 14+ miles with 5,300+ ft of elevation achieve. However you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous waterfalls alongside the way in which and panoramic views of your complete Yosemite Valley and Excessive Sierra from the 8,800-foot summit, so it’s definitely worth the strenuous trek.
I hiked Half Dome in 2019 together with my husband and a few pals. This journey holds a particular reminiscence for me as a result of not solely was I happy with myself for efficiently ending the robust climb, however my husband deliberate a shock birthday celebration on the high of the dome for me!
Hold studying for our full information to mountain climbing Half Dome together with when to go to, what to pack, the way to get Half Dome permits, and an in depth journey report.
Essential Reminder: Because it goes in the entire locations we share, please observe good path etiquette and keep in mind to Go away No Hint. This implies packing out your whole rubbish (together with rest room paper), being respectful to others, and following the established guidelines.
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Half Dome Overview & Path Map
There are numerous routes for mountain climbing to the highest of the Half Dome. You may do it in a day or you might do a multi-day backpacking journey.
Most individuals (together with us) select the day hike which is completely doable with correct preparation and planning.
For the day hike, the hike to the highest of Half Dome is a mix of two trails: the Mist Path and the John Muir Path.
These two trails begin on the identical trailhead (Glad Isles) and finish on the Half Dome so have a variety of overlap (proven in purple on the map). There’s a part the place these two trails cut up on the way in which. The blue part exhibits the John Muir Path route and the yellow part exhibits the Mist Path route.
Primarily based on which route you select, the path size and time might differ. Mainly, you may decide between an additional 1.5 miles of simpler terrain by taking the John Muir Path, or a steep and shorter route by taking the Mist Path, or you might do one path on the way in which up and one other on the way in which down.
Most individuals select to hike the Mist Path on the way in which up and the John Muir Path on the way in which down.
That is the way in which we hiked the path and would extremely suggest it. The Mist Path on the way in which up has nice views of the Vernal & Nevada Falls and the John Muir Path on the way in which down was significantly better for my knees after a really lengthy day of mountain climbing.
- Size: 14-17 miles RT (relying on the path – by way of John Muir or Mist)
- Issue: Extraordinarily strenuous
- Path Kind: Out and again
- Complete elevation achieve: 5,300-5,700 ft (relying on the path)
- Time: 10-14 hours
- Allow required: Sure
- Canine allowed: No
Half Dome Path Map
How To Get Half Dome Permits
Because of the recognition of mountain climbing Half Dome, permits are required. This allow system not solely protects the panorama from overuse but additionally ensures the security of the hikers by decreasing the crowding on the cable part.
There are two methods to safe a Half Dome allow – within the March preseason lottery or the each day lottery throughout the mountain climbing season. All permits are reserved by way of Recreation.gov.
Pre-Season Lottery
To enter the preseason lottery, you need to apply on-line anytime March 1-31 and outcomes can be emailed out in mid-April. In case you are profitable in getting a allow, you’ll want to verify your reservation and pay the allow charge.
There’s a cap of 300 hikers per day (225 day hikers, 75 backpackers) so it’s good to be extraordinarily fortunate within the lottery. Fortunately, we gained the preseason lottery so we have been in a position to plan our journey far prematurely.
Day by day Lottery
Should you don’t get a allow within the pre-season lottery, there’s a each day lottery that happens two days earlier than you’d hike Half Dome (ex. you’d apply on a Thursday to hike on a Saturday).
The outcomes of the each day lottery are on condition that night time, so you will have your complete subsequent day to organize.
What Occurs If I Don’t Get a Half Dome Allow?
Should you do NOT get a allow, you’ll solely be allowed to go so far as the sub-dome (which is the bottom of the Half Dome the place the chains are hooked up to the mountain).
Rangers are sometimes stationed on the sub-dome to examine for permits and it’s a hefty high-quality of as much as $5,000 if you’re caught climbing Half Dome with out a allow.
Please don’t try the cables with out a Half Dome allow.
Finest Time to Hike Half Dome
The Half Dome cables often go up the Friday earlier than Memorial Day (circumstances allowing) and are available down the day after Columbus Day so this narrows down the window if you wish to attain the summit.
Sometimes August or September is perhaps simpler to safe a allow than Might, June, or July as they’re the height summer time season. Weekdays are additionally simpler for getting permits vs. weekends.
Some individuals climb Half Dome outdoors of when the cables are up, however that’s extremely unadvised.
Aside from that you just additionally have to safe a allow, which dictates when you may hike Half Dome.
We obtained our allow for August and through this time, the park was comparatively much less crowded than our earlier visits in Might and July. The climate was nice for mountain climbing and fortunately there have been no wildfires close by affecting air high quality.
How Lengthy Does it Take to Hike Half Dome?
Relying on whether or not you select to do the John Muir Path or the Mist Path or a mix of each, the mountain climbing time might differ. On common, it takes 10 – 14 hours to hike Half Dome with plenty of breaks in between.
Since we weren’t staying on the park, our day began early round 4:30 am and we reached the car parking zone round 5:45 am. There have been ample parking spots on the Yosemite Valley trailhead parking so we parked our automotive and began the hike round 6:00 am.
Our tempo was fairly good and we have been in a position to end the hike in 12.5 hrs round 6:30 pm, with loads of time to benefit from the summit.
How To Practice for Half Dome
As evident from the stats, Half Dome is an especially strenuous hike when it comes to size and elevation achieve. Correct planning and coaching are essential to having a unbelievable expertise.
We skilled for mountain climbing Half Dome by happening hikes of varied completely different lengths (6 miles to 10 miles) each different weekend to ensure we’re in good condition and observe. I’d extremely suggest doing that if potential in order that your physique is used to the space.
Planning Your Half Dome Hike
For a pleasing expertise, planning the entire Half Dome journey prematurely is extraordinarily essential. Right here’s just a few key issues to bear in mind:
Yosemite Entrance Charges
Since Half Dome is a part of Yosemite Nationwide Park, it’s good to pay the per-vehicle entrance charge or use your America the Stunning annual go.
When To Begin Mountain climbing Half Dome
In an effort to do the day hike, it’s good to attain the trailhead fairly early within the morning at dawn (and even earlier), and resolve on a non-negotiable turn-around time (aka the time you’ll flip round you probably have not but reached the summit).
The car parking zone can refill rapidly, so an early arrive is vital for attending to park as near the trailhead as potential.
Half Dome is kind of uncovered so should you’re mountain climbing within the warmth, it’s virtually crucial to get an early begin to attempt to beat the warmth.
Lodging
Staying within the park itself the night time earlier than your Half Dome hike will guarantee reaching the trailhead early within the morning and is advisable if you may get tenting or lodging reservations.
Sadly, we weren’t in a position to get lodging within the park, but when we have been in a position to get one we’d have most popular that to keep away from the 1+ hour drive at 4:30am.
Half Dome Packing Record
Along with the 10 day mountain climbing necessities, there’s just a few specifics you want for mountain climbing Half Dome:
Beneficial Mountain climbing Packing Record
Beneath are just a few of my favourite items of day mountain climbing gear and proposals:
Path Report: Our Expertise Mountain climbing Half Dome
Beginning the Hike
We reached the Nationwide Park round 5:30 am, and parked our automotive on the Yosemite Valley Trailhead Parking on the Glad Isle Loop Highway. It’s then a brief 0.5 mile stroll from Glad Isles Trailhead to the Half Dome Trailhead. We began round 6:00 am.
Vernal Falls
The primary vital viewpoint from the trailhead is the Vernal Falls footbridge the place you get a glimpse of Vernal Falls. It’s about 1.5 miles from the trailhead, however the climb is fairly steep.
The waterfall is absolutely fairly and it is a great place for a photograph op. Vernal Falls can also be your final likelihood for flush bogs and a water fountain.
After the Vernal Falls footbridge, the trail branches into two, the place you may decide the Mist Path or John Muir Path.
We select to do the Mist Path on the way in which up because it gives a close-up view of the waterfalls. The Mist path is kind of steep and you ultimately attain the highest of Vernal Falls. Be ready to get moist on this path because the mist from the waterfalls will get to you. I’d suggest sporting a rain jacket or poncho throughout this part!
Nevada Falls
Climbing even additional in round 2 miles you’ll ultimately attain Nevada Falls. There’s a small detour to view the highest of Nevada Falls and take a brief break.
The highest of Vernal & Nevada Falls by way of Mist Path can also be a standard day hike in Yosemite Nationwide Park, so don’t count on solitude on this part of the hike.
Subdome
About 3 miles after Vernal Falls, you’ll attain the subdome. To succeed in the subdome, you’ll have to climb the large rock stairs. That is undoubtedly one of many difficult components of the hike!
After the climb, you’ll lastly attain the highest of the subdome. From the highest of the subdome, you will note the well-known Half Dome cables.
This can be a great place to take a break and kit up earlier than you ultimately begin the climb.
I used to be truthfully a bit overwhelmed at this level. I shouldn’t have a concern of heights however for me, it was about taking a deep breath earlier than the cables and gaining psychological power (Thoughts over matter).
There’s sincerely no disgrace in attending to the cables and turning round. I’d have finished that if I didn’t really feel assured. Should you don’t really feel so then it’s completely okay. Should you try it with out being snug you’ll not solely put your self but additionally others at risk.
Climbing the Metal Cables
We reached the cables round 11:30 am. There was no ranger stationed at the moment to examine for permits, however all the time have your allow useful simply in case.
There are two cables to climb the final 400 ft to the summit. Each 10-20 ft there are picket planks to relaxation and keep your steadiness. The cables are a couple of 45-55 diploma grade, and also you don’t want any mountaineering gear to climb them.
We equipped earlier than climbing the cables.
Earlier than you begin the climb, you’ll want to put on full-fingered gloves to have a great grip on the cables and keep away from any blisters.
Additionally you’ll want to safe any belongings (digital camera, telephone, water bottle) so nothing falls out of your day pack throughout the climb!
The metallic cables appear daunting however should you climb it patiently and safely one step at a time, it’s going to appear simple. This is identical path for hikers going up and coming down so being conscious is vital.
You will need to not solely take your time but additionally be affected person with different hikers. There weren’t many individuals on the cables throughout our climb. Stay on the within of the cables whereas climbing to your personal security.
We reached the summit of Half Dome after 20 minutes of climbing up the cables.
In case you are conscious and protected, this half is extraordinarily thrilling and one of many highlights of the entire hike!
Notice: This can be very unsafe to aim the cables if there are storm clouds or if the bottom is moist. Use your finest judgment.
Summit of Half Dome
We lastly reached the highest of the Half Dome round midday and we have been greeted with panoramic views of Yosemite Valley and the Excessive Sierra.
After just a few picture periods, I used to be in for a shock.
My husband had carried a mini cake (Nothing Bundt cake — my favourite) to have fun my birthday. He all the time surprises me along with his candy gestures! We minimize the cake and did a mini celebration earlier than beginning the return journey.
Hike Again to Glad Isles Trailhead
It took us virtually twice as lengthy to climb down the cables than to climb up them as a result of there have been a variety of hikers developing. Following correct mountain climbing etiquette, all the time yield to the uphill (or up-climbing) hikers.
As soon as I obtained down the cables, I couldn’t imagine what I simply did! The sensation was unimaginable. We have been all excited to return and revel in a scrumptious meal so the return journey felt prefer it flew by.
At Nevada Falls, we selected to do the longer John Muir Path because it was simpler on the knees.
I hope this information covers all the main points that may show you how to plan your Half Dome mountain climbing journey. As all the time, please comply with the Go away No Hint ideas, don’t neglect to have enjoyable, take plenty of footage, and have a protected, pleasant hike!
Do you will have any questions on mountain climbing Half Dome? Go away them within the feedback beneath!
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