Climbing Half Dome is a ceremony of passage for out of doors fans and ranks among the many most well-known hikes within the US.
Etched into the beautiful canvas of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, Half Dome is legendary for its sheer granite face and the enduring (however nerve-wracking) metal cables you need to climb to succeed in the summit.
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+ toes of elevation acquire. However you’ll be rewarded with beautiful waterfalls alongside the way in which and panoramic views of your entire Yosemite Valley and Excessive Sierra from the 8,800-foot summit, so it’s well worth the strenuous trek.
I hiked Half Dome in 2019 together with my husband and a few associates. This journey holds a particular reminiscence for me as a result of not solely was I pleased with myself for efficiently ending the robust climb, however my husband deliberate a shock birthday celebration on the high of the dome for me!
Maintain studying for our full information to mountaineering Half Dome together with when to go to, what to pack, learn how to get Half Dome permits, and an in depth journey report.
Vital Reminder: Because it goes in the entire locations we share, please observe good trail etiquette and bear in mind to Leave No Trace. This implies packing out all your 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 lots of routes for mountaineering to the highest of the Half Dome. You can do it in a day or you would 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 mixture of two trails: the Mist Path and the John Muir Path.
These two trails begin on the similar trailhead (Joyful Isles) and finish on the Half Dome so have a number of overlap (proven in pink on the map). There’s a part the place these two trails break up on the way in which. The blue part reveals the John Muir Path route and the yellow part reveals the Mist Path route.
Primarily based on which route you select, the path size and time might differ. Principally, you’ll be able to choose 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 would 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 advocate 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 a lot better for my knees after a really lengthy day of mountaineering.
- Size: 14-17 miles RT (relying on the path – by way of John Muir or Mist)
- Problem: Extraordinarily strenuous
- Path Kind: Out and again
- Whole elevation acquire: 5,300-5,700 ft (relying on the path)
- Time: 10-14 hours
- Allow required: Sure
- Canines allowed: No
Half Dome Path Map
How To Get Half Dome Permits
As a result of reputation of mountaineering Half Dome, permits are required. This allow system not solely protects the panorama from overuse but in addition ensures the security of the hikers by lowering the crowding on the cable part.
There are two methods to safe a Half Dome allow – within the March preseason lottery or the every day lottery through the mountaineering 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 price.
There’s a cap of 300 hikers per day (225 day hikers, 75 backpackers) so it is advisable 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
In the event you don’t get a allow within the pre-season lottery, there’s a every 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 every day lottery are on condition that evening, so you will have your entire subsequent day to arrange.
What Occurs If I Don’t Get a Half Dome Allow?
In the event 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 fantastic of as much as $5,000 in case you are caught climbing Half Dome with no allow.
Please don’t try the cables with no Half Dome allow.
Finest Time to Hike Half Dome
The Half Dome cables normally go up the Friday earlier than Memorial Day (situations 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 likely to be 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 folks climb Half Dome exterior of when the cables are up, however that’s extremely unadvised.
Aside from that you just additionally must safe a allow, which dictates when you’ll be able to 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 mountaineering 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 mixture of each, the mountaineering time might differ. On common, it takes 10 – 14 hours to hike Half Dome with a number 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 automobile 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 Prepare for Half Dome
As evident from the stats, Half Dome is an especially strenuous hike by way of size and elevation acquire. Correct planning and coaching are essential to having a incredible expertise.
We skilled for mountaineering Half Dome by occurring hikes of varied totally different lengths (6 miles to 10 miles) each different weekend to ensure we’re in fine condition and observe. I might extremely advocate doing that if attainable in order that your physique is used to the gap.
Planning Your Half Dome Hike
For a nice expertise, planning the entire Half Dome journey prematurely is extraordinarily essential. Right here’s a couple of key issues to bear in mind:
Yosemite Entrance Charges
Since Half Dome is a part of Yosemite Nationwide Park, it is advisable to pay the per-vehicle entrance price or use your America the Beautiful annual pass.
When To Begin Climbing Half Dome
To be able to do the day hike, it is advisable to attain the trailhead fairly early within the morning at dawn (and even earlier), and determine 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 replenish shortly, so an early arrive is vital for attending to park as near the trailhead as attainable.
Half Dome is kind of uncovered so when you’re mountaineering within the warmth, it’s nearly crucial to get an early begin to attempt to beat the warmth.
Lodging
Staying within the park itself the evening earlier than your Half Dome hike will guarantee reaching the trailhead early within the morning and is beneficial 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 Checklist
Along with the 10 day hiking essentials, there’s a couple of specifics you want for mountaineering Half Dome:
Beneficial Climbing Packing Checklist
Beneath are a couple of of my favourite items of day mountaineering gear and proposals:
Path Report: Our Expertise Climbing Half Dome
Beginning the Hike
We reached the Nationwide Park round 5:30 am, and parked our automobile on the Yosemite Valley Trailhead Parking on the Joyful Isle Loop Street. It’s then a brief 0.5 mile stroll from Joyful Isles Trailhead to the Half Dome Trailhead. We began round 6:00 am.
Vernal Falls
The primary important 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 actually fairly and it is a good spot 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’ll be able to choose the Mist Path or John Muir Path.
We select to do the Mist Path on the way in which up because it supplies a close-up view of the waterfalls. The Mist path is kind of steep and you finally 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 advocate wearing 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 popular day hike in Yosemite National Park, so don’t anticipate 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 enormous rock stairs. That is undoubtedly one of many difficult elements of the hike!
After the climb, you’ll lastly attain the highest of the subdome. From the highest of the subdome, you will notice the well-known Half Dome cables.
This can be a great place to take a break and kit up earlier than you finally begin the climb.
I used to be truthfully a bit overwhelmed at this level. I would not have a concern of heights however for me, it was about taking a deep breath earlier than the cables and gaining psychological energy (Thoughts over matter).
There’s sincerely no disgrace in attending to the cables and turning round. I might have finished that if I didn’t really feel assured. In the event you don’t really feel so then it’s completely okay. In the event you try it with out being snug you’ll not solely put your self but in addition others in peril.
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 toes to the summit. Each 10-20 toes there are wood planks to relaxation and keep your steadiness. The cables are a couple of 45-55 diploma grade, and also you don’t want any mountain climbing gear to climb them.
We equipped earlier than climbing the cables.
Earlier than you begin the climb, make sure you wear full-fingered gloves to have a very good grip on the cables and keep away from any blisters.
Additionally make sure you safe any belongings (digicam, telephone, water bottle) so nothing falls out of your day pack through the climb!
The metallic cables appear daunting however when 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 aware is vital.
It is very important not solely take your time but in addition 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 on your personal security.
We reached the summit of Half Dome after 20 minutes of climbing up the cables.
In case you are aware and secure, this half is extraordinarily thrilling and one of many highlights of the entire hike!
Notice: This can be very unsafe to try 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 a couple of photograph classes, I used to be in for a shock.
My husband had carried a mini cake (Nothing Bundt cake — my favourite) to have a good time my birthday. He all the time surprises me together with his candy gestures! We lower the cake and did a mini celebration earlier than beginning the return journey.
Hike Again to Joyful Isles Trailhead
It took us nearly twice as lengthy to climb down the cables than to climb up them as a result of there have been a number of hikers arising. Following correct mountaineering 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 unbelievable. 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 can enable you to plan your Half Dome mountaineering journey. As all the time, please follow the Leave No Trace principles, don’t neglect to have enjoyable, take a number of footage, and have a secure, pleasant hike!
Do you will have any questions on mountaineering Half Dome? Go away them within the feedback beneath!
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