Tips on how to Conquer the Half Dome Hike in Yosemite Nationwide Park – Bearfoot Idea

Mountain climbing Half Dome is a ceremony of passage for out of doors lovers 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 legendary for its sheer granite face and the enduring (however nerve-wracking) metal cables you could climb to achieve the summit.

Mountain climbing Half Dome is just not for the faint of coronary heart – it’s a particularly strenuous day hike spanning 14+ miles with 5,300+ toes of elevation acquire. However you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous 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 definitely worth the strenuous trek.

I hiked Half Dome in 2019 together with my husband and a few buddies. This journey holds a particular reminiscence for me as a result of not solely was I happy with myself for efficiently ending the powerful climb, however my husband deliberate a shock birthday celebration on the high of the dome for me!

Preserve studying for our full information to mountain climbing Half Dome together with when to go to, what to pack, find out how 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 Depart No Hint. This implies packing out your entire rubbish (together with bathroom paper), being respectful to others, and following the established guidelines.

Half Dome Overview & Path Map

There are numerous routes for mountain climbing to the highest of the Half Dome. You could possibly 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 mixture of two trails: the Mist Path and the John Muir Path.

These two trails begin on the similar trailhead (Glad Isles) and finish on the Half Dome so have plenty of overlap (proven in pink 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.

Based mostly on which route you select, the path size and time could differ. Mainly, you possibly can 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 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.

Half Dome Path Map

How To Get Half Dome Permits

Because of the reputation of mountain climbing Half Dome, permits are required. This allow system not solely protects the panorama from overuse but in addition ensures the protection 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 each day lottery through the mountain climbing season. All permits are reserved by way of Recreation.gov.

Pre-Season Lottery

To enter the preseason lottery, you could apply on-line anytime March 1-31 and outcomes will likely be emailed out in mid-April. In case you are profitable in getting a allow, you’ll want to substantiate your reservation and pay the allow price.

There’s a cap of 300 hikers per day (225 day hikers, 75 backpackers) so you should 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

When 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 provided that night time, so you’ve gotten your entire subsequent day to organize.

What Occurs If I Don’t Get a Half Dome Allow?

When 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 verify for permits and it’s a hefty positive 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 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.

Usually August or September could be simpler to safe a allow than Might, June, or July as they’re the height summer season season. Weekdays are additionally simpler for getting permits vs. weekends.

Some folks climb Half Dome outdoors of when the cables are up, however that’s extremely unadvised.

Other than that you simply additionally have to safe a allow, which dictates when you possibly can hike Half Dome.

We acquired 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 mixture of each, the mountain climbing time could 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 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 Prepare for Half Dome

As evident from the stats, Half Dome is a particularly strenuous hike when it comes to size and elevation acquire. Correct planning and coaching are crucial to having a incredible expertise.

We skilled for mountain climbing Half Dome by occurring hikes of assorted completely different lengths (6 miles to 10 miles) each different weekend to ensure we’re in good condition and observe. I might extremely suggest doing that if doable in order that your physique is used to the space.

Planning Your Half Dome Hike

For a nice expertise, planning the entire Half Dome journey prematurely is extraordinarily crucial. Right here’s a number of key issues to bear in mind:

Yosemite Entrance Charges

Since Half Dome is a part of Yosemite Nationwide Park, you should pay the per-vehicle entrance price or use your America the Stunning annual go.

When To Begin Mountain climbing Half Dome

As a way to do the day hike, you should 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 when you’ve got not but reached the summit).

The parking zone can replenish shortly, so an early arrive is essential for attending to park as near the trailhead as doable.

Half Dome is kind of uncovered so in case 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 really helpful if you will 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 might have most popular that to keep away from the 1+ hour drive at 4:30am.

Half Dome Packing Checklist

Along with the 10 day mountain climbing necessities, there’s a number of specifics you want for mountain climbing Half Dome:

Really helpful Mountain climbing Packing Checklist

Beneath are a number of of my favourite items of day mountain climbing gear and suggestions:

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 Street. 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 de facto fairly and this can be 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 possibly can 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 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 finally 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 widespread 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 achieve the subdome, you’ll have to climb the enormous 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 notice 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 actually a bit overwhelmed at this level. I do not need 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 may be sincerely no disgrace in attending to the cables and turning round. I might have finished that if I didn’t really feel assured. When you don’t really feel so then it’s completely okay. When you try it with out being comfy 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 verify for permits, however at all times 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 picket planks to relaxation and keep your steadiness. The cables are a few 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, you’ll want to put on full-fingered gloves to have 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 through the climb!

​​The steel cables appear daunting however in case you climb it patiently and safely one step at a time, it should appear straightforward. This is identical path for hikers going up and coming down so being conscious is essential.

You will need to 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 conscious and protected, this half is extraordinarily thrilling and one of many highlights of the entire hike!

Observe: 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 a number of photograph periods, I used to be in for a shock.

My husband had carried a mini cake (Nothing Bundt cake — my favourite) to rejoice my birthday. He at all times 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 plenty of hikers developing. Following correct mountain climbing etiquette, at all times yield to the uphill (or up-climbing) hikers.

As soon as I acquired down the cables, I couldn’t imagine what I simply did! The sensation was unimaginable. We have been all excited to return and luxuriate 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 small print that can assist you plan your Half Dome mountain climbing journey. As at all times, please observe the Depart No Hint rules, don’t neglect to have enjoyable, take plenty of footage, and have a protected, pleasant hike!

Do you’ve gotten any questions on mountain climbing Half Dome? Depart them within the feedback beneath!

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