10 Years Experience
Specialized in Camping & Trekking
Yosemite Valley, California
May and October
Enjoy this 26.6-kilometer out-and-back trek near Yosemite Valley, California. Generally regarded as a difficult route. This is a popular hiking and rock climbing location, so you'll almost certainly run into other people while exploring. This trail is best visited between May and October. Dogs are not permitted on this trail, so leave them at home.
Yosemite National Park has an entrance fee. Fees are assessed per car or motorcycle. The price is per person if you enter on foot, horseback, or bicycle. You can also get an America the Beautiful - National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands stamp.
Half Dome is a challenging endurance hike that takes you 4,800 feet above Yosemite Valley to stunning views of Vernal and Nevada Falls, Liberty Cap, and the El Capitan.The High Sierra and Yosemite Valley. This is one of the most well-known hikes in Yosemite National Park. To hike to the peak of Half Dome, you must first obtain a permit.
Preparation and safety are essential for a memorable trip. This is a strenuous hike that needs users to be in good physical condition. Depending on how you choose to descend, most people spend 10 to 12 hours hiking to Half Dome and back. Plan on leaving at sunrise (or earlier) and having a non-negotiable turnaround time. The track is generally well marked, but keep an eye out for all trail signs since they can be easily missed.
The height rise is substantial, beginning with a steep ascent to Vernal Falls. Then there's another hard ascent to the top of Nevada Falls. Before reaching Little Yosemite Campground, there is about a mile of reasonably level trekking, followed by steep slopes through the forest. Around 7 kilometers into your journey, you'll come to a clearing in the trees with a stunning vista of Half Dome and the valley below. Some steep switchbacks etched into the rock like stairs guide the way up to the top of Sub Dome. After walking through Sub Dome's stony surface, you'll arrive at the base of the cables, with only 400 feet to go. These last 400 feet are the most difficult, but also the most gratifying (though you may not realize it until you are there).
The cable route is the component of the adventure that makes the ascent up Half Dome renowned. Hikers can reach the peak without using rock climbing equipment thanks to two steel lines. The wires have a 45-55 degree incline, with wooden supports every 10 to 20 feet to rest on and keep your balance. Gloves are highly suggested for a better grip and to avoid unpleasant blisters. Be cautious to secure your water bottles and cameras tightly during the climb up, as you will need them once at the summit. Once you've reached the summit, take some time to relax and enjoy the breathtaking views. The Half Dome wires are normally installed on the Friday prior memorial Day (weather permitting) and the day after Columbus Day.
The return route is much faster than the hike up, and you'll be back at the top of Nevada Falls before you know it. You have two alternatives here: the Mist Trail, which is how you arrived, is about 3.4 miles (5.5km) long, or the John Muir Trail, which is about 0.5 mile longer. The waterfalls suddenly seem much more pleasant as you trek down compared to the earlier ascent, and it's difficult to keep a smile on your face when you approach the Vernal Falls footbridge where you can replenish your water (there are also restrooms here). After about 30 minutes, you're back at the trailhead.
This is one of the several backpacking trails in Yosemite. While some can be done in a single day, a permission is necessary for multi-day trips. Permits can be reserved up to 24 weeks in advance and up to 4 days in advance.
Sixty percent of reservations are available 24 weeks in advance, with the remainder accessible two weeks in advance and up to four days before your hike. Each confirmed reservation incurs a charge per participant. This fee is not refundable nor transferable.
If you are given a permit, you must pay the charge within 48 hours of receiving your email confirmation. Permits must be obtained in the park.
