Looking for the final word Yosemite day hike? Half Dome is one on your climbing bucket record and is well some of the well-known in Yosemite National Park. It is just not for learners; you’ll want good health and technical potential. However, in case you are an skilled hiker, setting your eyes on reaching the highest of Half Dome is a worthy problem.
Ready to hike as much as Half Dome? This information will inform you the whole lot you’ll want to know concerning the Half Dome hike. From what to anticipate alongside the best way to a breakdown of the most effective occasions for climbing Half Dome, we’ve bought you lined.
What is Half Dome?
First off, what’s Half Dome? Half Dome is an enormous granite rock formation positioned in the east of Yosemite Valley. The dome will get its identify from its attribute form: a easy curve on one aspect and a sheer drop on the opposite. The rock is, fairly actually, a half dome.
Half Dome is a powerful 8,800 ft (2682 meters) above sea degree that rises 4,800 ft (1463 meters) above Yosemite Valley. The rock formation is basically an uncovered magma chamber, which turned seen as a result of uplift and the erosion of rock above and round it. The curved aspect was formed by exfoliation – a type of weathering. The flat, vertical aspect of the rock was additionally weathered into its present form, with glaciation serving to to additional obtain the form we see right now.
Half Dome doesn’t simply get its fame from its seems, although; the Half Dome hike is famend as some of the difficult hikes in the US. You can put climbing Half Dome proper up there with Angel’s Landing in Zion NP, and all the paths that promise an adrenaline rush. Half Dome wasn’t first climbed till 1875, when George Anderson tackled the rock, drilling holes into the granite so as to add an early model of the present cable route. Nowadays, Half Dome is hottest with day hikers on a spherical journey. However, there are routes and detours appropriate for multi-day hikers as effectively.
Half Dome is a novel pure attraction and day hike in Yosemite National Park. It can be simply among the best locations to go to in the US if you happen to love outside actions. Now that you’re extra acquainted with it let’s dive straight into the remainder of our information.
What to know earlier than you hike Half Dome
One of an important issues we’ve got discovered after tackling many difficult trails is that preparation is crucial. You don’t wish to arrive to search out the path closed, or that you need to apply for a Half Dome allow. This part will cowl the necessities – the issues you must completely know earlier than climbing the Half Dome path.
Yosemite National Park has strict rules.
Forget merely deciding to climb Half Dome on the final minute; simply getting into Yosemite National Park can require a superb degree of planning. The nationwide park has frequent rules and restrictions, and you’ll count on park rangers to implement a few of these with fines.
In peak hours, it’s possible you’ll want a reservation to enter or drive Yosemite National Park, which you’ll want to rearrange earlier than arrival. Other restrictions would possibly simply require a detour or two. For instance, some roads are strictly closed for upkeep, like Glacier Point Road being closed all through 2022. You can verify the official Yosemite National Park web site for highway closures or different necessary messages.
Half Dome hike is simply open in sure months
Half Dome hike is just not an all-year-round path. The Half Dome cables are usually taken down on Columbus Day in October and put again up on Memorial Day in May. If you go to after Columbus Day or earlier than Memorial Day, don’t count on to climb Half Dome. Without the cable route intact, it’s not possible.
Getting a Half Dome allow
If you didn’t know, Half Dome has a strict allow system. Rather than making use of to obtain a Half Dome allow, you enter a lottery system to be awarded permits. You can enter the pre-season lottery or attempt your luck with a day by day lottery. The day by day lottery runs two days in advance, so that you’ll have two days warning if you happen to get the okay to hike Half Dome. There is a cap of 300 hikers per day – we’ll cross our fingers for you.
Hikers who wish to camp additionally want wilderness permits. You can cease in a single day at Little Yosemite Valley Campground so as to add to your thrilling expertise with wilderness allow reservations.
There are totally different path choices
There isn’t only one route you could take to deal with Half Dome. While there is just one last part (the Half Dome cables), you could have totally different path choices to decide on how one can get there. After Vernal Falls Bridge, the trail branches into two, and you’ll choose the Mist Trail or John Muir Trail to comply with.
Mist Trail and the John Muir Trail are the preferred principal route choices. However, in order for you an additional difficult hike, you possibly can full the Half Dome Trail through Glacier Point or Tenaya Lake. These routes are much less trodden and extra demanding in phrases of stamina – simply be sure you’ve utilized on your wilderness allow so that you could camp.
So, which path must you select? We’ll check out that beneath.
Which path to decide on to hike Half Dome
Choosing a path not solely impacts your climbing expertise however can even outline it. You’ll choose between totally different views, sights, and whether or not you full Half Dome as a single-day spherical journey or a multi-day journey. Let’s check out your choices, leaving you to select the most effective route so that you can hike Half Dome.
The Muir Trail and Mist Trail are the 2 trails you possibly can select between on the principle hike. The John Muir Trail is the preferred route and is 17 miles lengthy. It provides 1.5 miles to the path however passes unbelievable viewpoints of Nevada Falls and a novel angle of Half Dome. It can be a lot much less steep than the Mist Trail – so you possibly can choose between an additional 1.5 miles of simpler terrain or a steep, shorter route.
The Mist Trail is 14 miles in size and entails ascending and descending a set of moist, slippery stairs. You’ll have unbelievable views of Vernal Falls as you climb the steps proper beside them, getting so shut that you’re lined in waterfall spray. Still, if the thought of steep, slippery stairs is a no-go for you, we suggest selecting the Muir Trail.
Finally, you could possibly additionally choose to hike Half Dome from Glacier Point. The 20-mile path is way much less trodden due to its demanding size and the bodily health it requires. But in order for you a problem, it combines experiencing Half Dome with the attractive viewpoint at Glacier Point.
If you need extra journey…
So, these are the first path choices that you just’ll get. But what in order for you extra journey? You can even deal with the Half Dome hike through these totally different routes, turning the Half Dome hike right into a multi-day expertise.
Tenaya Lake is a wonderful alpine lake fashioned by glacial motion and positioned northeast of Half Dome. You can be a part of climbing Tenaya Lake and Half Dome into one route of 23 miles, which is finest tackled over a number of days.
Of course, you may also add an in a single day keep in Little Yosemite Valley Campground to the John Muir Trail or Mist Trail. While any in a single day keep would require wilderness permits, it’s positively value the additional effort. And this manner, you get the identical basic hike and a tenting expertise.
How to get to Half Dome trailhead
To hike the 2 hottest trails (the John Muir Trail and Mist Trail), you’ll begin at Yosemite Valley Trailhead Parking on the Happy Isle Loop Road. It is then a brief 0.5-mile hike from ‘Happy Isles’ Trailhead to Half Dome Trailhead – the place your stroll begins.
The best method to attain the trailhead is to drive, and in case you are questioning the place to park, don’t fear because the trailhead parking zone has a lot of areas. The roads to Yosemite National Park are well-connected to close by cities. For occasion, driving to the trailhead from San Francisco takes just below 4 hours.
Another choice is to drive to Yosemite National Park after which use the shuttle service. The nationwide park has a daily bus service that connects all of the sights and trailheads. In summer season, the East Yosemite Valley service has buses each eight to 12 minutes, and runs between 7 am and 10 pm.
Finally, you could possibly take a guided tour of Half Dome. These excursions usually embrace transfers, like this one right here.
What to count on When climbing Half Dome
What to count on when climbing Half Dome is an enormous query. We’ll cowl what to anticipate when climbing Half Dome in normal, then deal with what to anticipate climbing Half Dome through the Muir path. Ready? Let’s get into it.
First off, count on to be climbing for upwards of 9 hours no matter which path you select – this can be a actuality that sounds fairly difficult whenever you say it out loud. You’ll be strolling from dawn and returning in the late night if you happen to select a Half Dome day hike. Half Dome is in no way a straightforward hike, and you must count on to be pushed to the boundaries of your bodily and psychological capability. There are extraordinarily steep and slippery components of the path and uncovered sections the place you’ll haven’t any safety from the solar. By nature, the Half Dome hike is difficult.
However, you may also count on Half Dome to be some of the rewarding hikes in the US. Along the path, you’ll discover gorgeous waterfalls and serene viewpoints and face many challenges that instill a powerful sense of feat. Since you must get fortunate to bag Half Dome permits, there’s a fantastic ambiance amongst these climbing Half Dome Trail. After all, a hike to Half Dome is a privilege. The supportive ambiance is what many individuals declare to be among the best issues on a stroll to Half Dome.
It’s mentioned that round 20-30% of hikers truly flip again after they attain the cable route, which is by far the scariest little bit of the hike. By the time you attain the cable route, although, there’s normally a steadily transferring queue forming. You can depend on just a few phrases of encouragement or reassurance from different hikers. Whether you proceed slowly to deal with the final 400 ft or determine to show round, the optimistic ambiance provides a powerful sense of “we are all in this together”.
In phrases of amenities, the one flush bogs out there are at Vernal Falls Footbridge. You will discover composting bogs close to Emerald Pool, Nevada Falls, and Little Yosemite Valley. Just bear in mind to carry your personal bathroom paper. At Vernal Falls Footbridge you possibly can refill your water, so plan a refill cease there in your manner up and down.
So, what are you able to count on from climbing the Muir Trail? Well, the route itself is simple to navigate. Starting from the parking zone by the ‘Happy Isles’ Trailhead, it’s a leisurely stroll alongside the Happy Isle Loop Road for a few half mile. You’ll cross the Merced River over the Happy Isles Bridge, then take a proper on the fork to affix the Muir Trail.
Looping previous Sierra Point, you cross the Merced River for a second time over Vernal Falls Bridge, then be a part of the uphill switchbacks because the path winds to climb out of the valley flooring. From right here, you’ll go Nevada Falls, Liberty Cap, and Little Yosemite Valley, lastly reaching the Half Dome trailhead. Before you deal with the metallic cables, you’ll hike to the Sub Dome summit first – which has gorgeous panoramas over Yosemite.
You’ll then full the Half Dome cables, which is a 400-foot part of a climb on a forty five–55-degree angle. There are wood helps set at each 15 ft or so, permitting you a perch to relaxation on, and two metallic cables working both aspect of the monitor so that you can assist and stability your self. A through feratta harness is optionally available, though increasingly individuals are bringing climbing gear following latest accidents. After finishing the famed (and feared) cable route, you’ll attain the highest of Half Dome.
The John Muir Trail has a complete elevation achieve of 1,582 meters and is a difficult route. On common, it takes ten hours to finish the return hike. However, we suggest permitting twelve hours simply in case. It is good to have the ability to cease at sights like Nevada Falls alongside the best way, and there’s a lot to admire earlier than you attain Half Dome.
What are the most effective issues to see and do on the Half Dome hike?
As we’ve mentioned above, there are many issues to see and do in your method to summit Half Dome. Most of the pure sights on the best way double up as distinguished factors for navigation, so that you’ll naturally get to sightsee as you navigate your method to the summit. This part will cowl the most effective issues to see and do alongside the best way.
Nevada Fall
The Merced River makes the Half Dome hike a captivating path, because it has many waterfalls and dramatic river scenes to admire alongside the best way. Nevada Fall is a powerful waterfall that plunges off its granite cliff face and down into the valley beneath. Hikers get a view of the cascade on the hike to Half Dome, then cross the river simply upstream of the falls.
Vernal Fall
Vernal Fall is one other dramatic waterfall courtesy of the Merced River. The waterfall drops 317 ft off a granite cliff face and is positioned simply earlier than Nevada Fall. You can get near Vernal Fall through the Mist Trail, climbing up over 600 rough-cut granite steps and getting lined by the waterfall spray.
Sub Dome
In a rush to get to the highest of Half Dome, many individuals don’t understand how lovely Sub Dome might be. Sub Dome is a good taster of the ultimate climb. You can get pleasure from spectacular views over the encircling granite domes and woodland beneath.
Little Yosemite Valley
You go via Little Yosemite Valley on a sandy path, reducing via woodland and wilderness. Little Yosemite Valley is a wonderful panorama, and it’s possible you’ll spot black bears, deer, coyotes, and even bobcats if you happen to’ve bought a pointy eye.
Liberty Cap
Liberty Cap is an enormous granite dome, not in contrast to Half Dome. You’ll go the dome simply after you go Nevada Fall. However, additionally, you will have the ability to admire Liberty Cap from the summit of Sub Dome and Half Dome. Keep your eyes peeled as it’s a powerful pure landmark.
Olmsted Point
Olmsted Point may not be precisely in your route, however you possibly can all the time add it on as a detour. The scenic lookout gives views over Half Dome and Tanaya Canyon. It is an effective add-on in case you are tackling Half Dome on a multi-day hike because you gained’t be pushing your self for a single-day roundtrip. If you don’t have time to hike to Olmsted Point, drive again on Tioga Road so you possibly can pull in and go to as a substitute. It is a wonderful lookout to understand the climb you’ve simply accomplished.
Clouds Rest
Clouds Rest is one other worthy add-on. Be warned that the mountain is a strenuous hike. Still, it’s value contemplating in case you are tackling Half Dome over a number of days and have a wonderful health degree. The views from the summit are gorgeous, and it’s a nice hike to get a distinct perspective of Half Dome. Most individuals mix climbing up Clouds Rest and Half Dome over three to 4 days.
Glacier Point
As we lined earlier, some individuals might want to begin their Half Dome hike at Glacier Point slightly than Happy Isles. While this route is lots longer, it’s gorgeous, and also you’ll be rewarded with lovely panoramas. If climbing 20 miles of inauspicious terrain in a day doesn’t put you off, Glacier Point is likely one of the finest issues to see on a Half Dome hike. You’ll additionally discover Washburn Point and Glacier Point Trailside Museum alongside Glacier Point Road, the highway you drive to entry the trailhead.
Please be aware that highway enhancements have closed Glacier Point highway for all of 2022 and you’ll count on delays throughout 2023 till the highway upkeep is completed.
What to carry on the Half Dome hike
As we’ve got mentioned, preparation is significant. There are many hikes in the US you could present as much as in informal, on a regular basis garments and trainers and have a unbelievable time. However, understanding that the Half Dome hike requires dependable garments and kit is crucial. At the very least, you’ll wish to depart your worn-out runners at residence, and on the most, it’s possible you’ll even wish to carry climbing gear like a harness. This part will cowl all the most effective issues to carry on a Half Dome hike.
To begin with, you’ll have to determine in case you are planning a backpacking journey or a strenuous day hike. If you propose a multi-day backpacking journey, you’ll have to pack extra meals and water provides, plus your whole tenting gear. Little Yosemite Valley Campground lets you depart your tent and non-valuables on the campsite when you hike the ultimate stretch of the Half Dome path.
This is sweet information as you gained’t should deal with the Half Dome cables with a tent in your backpack. With this in thoughts, although, you must restrict the property you carry so that you could safely depart issues in your tent. You may also want a bear field to retailer meals safely while you’re away.
You ought to all the time carry loads of water, bathroom paper, sunscreen, bear spray, and a Half Dome Trail map for the reason that cellphone sign might be sketchy. Half Dome hikers tackling the spherical journey in a day might require much less meals and water, however it’s sensible to hold a little bit greater than you assume you’ll want. A couple of sugary snacks might be nice for supplying you with that wanted enhance alongside the trickiest components of the path.
You might wish to carry a fundamental first help package and a Via Ferrata climbing harness. A primary help package by no means goes amiss, and so long as it isn’t too cumbersome to suit in your backpack, it may be useful in minor accidents. The Via Ferrata climbing harness might be helpful if you wish to strap your self in for further safety on the Half Dome cables. The Half Dome cables aren’t designed to be tackled as a Via Ferrata route. In truth, the poles can sometimes come unfastened – so climbing strapped to the cables isn’t risk-free. However, it does present some further safety and peace of thoughts. You might want to take the additional precaution when you’ve got a worry of heights or whether it is actually crowded.
Last however not least, what garments must you carry and put on? Sturdy footwear with good grip goes with out saying. The slick rock on the Half Domes cables part is polished and slippery, so if you happen to add footwear with a foul grip into the combination, it’s a catastrophe ready to occur. The stairway part by Vernal Fall additionally requires good grip because it will get slippery with waterfall spray. Similarly, descending the sandy space close to Little Yosemite Valley requires good ankle assist when navigating your manner down the trail feeling drained and weak.
A peaked hat is one other agency suggestion. Much of the path is uncovered to the weather, particularly on the ultimate climb up the Half Dome cables. The very last thing you need is to be battling heatstroke and sunburn if you find yourself already on probably the most difficult part of the climb. You’ll additionally admire a thick pair of gloves with a superb grip for the Half Dome cables part.
As the rock is slippery in this part, you’ll closely depend on higher physique energy to assist your self by holding the metallic cables. Gloves will assist stop blisters and make the duty a lot simpler for you. Also, if you find yourself completed, take into consideration giving your gloves to a different climber. That manner you don’t have to hold them down or depart them there.
Finally, you’ll want all the usual climbing fundamentals. Make certain to carry layers (together with a water-resistant, windproof coat) and comfy, well-fitting garments.
Best time to hike to Half Dome
The undeniable fact that the Half Dome cables are solely out there from Memorial Day to Columbus Day already narrows down the most effective time to hike Half Dome. If you wish to deal with the hike, you’ll have to get a Half Dome allow to assist you to go to between May and October.
Typically, September is the quietest time to climb Half Dome. Day hikers ought to set off as early as doable to maximise their daytime because you get fewer daytime in September than in the peak of summer season. You can all the time ebook lodging in Curry Village, only a fifteen-minute stroll from the ‘Happy Isles’ trailhead. It is a good close by place to remain, so you can begin your hike good and early.
In September, you’ll get pleasure from fewer crowds, and the temperatures ought to be cooler, making climbing extra fulfilling. You ought to discover that campsites have extra space too, and who is aware of, perhaps you’ll get luckier in the allow lottery if there are fewer entries.
If you’re eager on climbing the steps with as few individuals as doable then plan to reach round 8 am to the cables. If you get there between 11 am and 12 pm you possibly can assure will probably be packed and also you may need to attend in line simply to do the ultimate part.
Important Note: You’ll wish to keep away from climbing Half Dome if there are storms or heavy rain forecasted. Weather circumstances can flip the path extraordinarily harmful. If a storm seems close by, the most effective factor you are able to do is flip round or take shelter in a constructing like a rest room block if doable.
Half Dome permits may be thrilling to win, however it’s by no means value persevering with on a high-risk path when you possibly can simply re-enter the lottery. Heavy rain could make the path completely inaccessible, so the climbing season for Half Dome coincides with the driest months.
How tough is the Half Dome hike?
In brief, the Half Dome hike is tough. The mileage and elevation achieve are each substantial, and the difficult sections have actual dangers. More than twenty individuals have died tackling the Half Dome path, and over forty individuals have died on the routes used to entry the ultimate part. The dangers are actual, and you’ll want to be lively when prioritizing your security. Successful Half Dome hikers are courageous however positively not silly.
The path lengths differ from 14.2 miles to 23 miles, so that you’ll want to decide on the path that most closely fits you and your health abilities. In principle, you could possibly deal with the Half Dome hike with out coaching. Still, you’d have to be in any other case match and wholesome with a superb baseline degree of health. You’ll be extra profitable if you happen to do some coaching main as much as the hike.
Plus, climbing while you’re exhausted raises the chance of slipping and having an accident, so that you’ll have the ability to hike stronger and safer in case your health ranges are greater.
If you’re not sure whether or not you’re bodily match sufficient to finish a spherical journey in a single day, simply apply for a wilderness allow. This manner, you possibly can camp at Little Yosemite Valley Campground and break up the space over two days.
To Conclude
Half Dome hike is well one of many US’s hottest climbing trails – holding a primary spot on many individuals’s bucket lists. It could also be difficult, however it’s the excellent instance of how ‘nothing good in life comes easy. The enormous grey dome is a much-loved and respected landmark in Yosemite and is well worth tackling if you can.
Just remember, there is no shame in getting to the cables and turning around. If you don’t really feel assured then don’t put your self or others in hazard. The views as much as that time are greater than sufficient purpose to deal with this hike.
Feeling impressed? You might wish to try a few of our different favourite hikes in California or the United States as a complete. Of course, there are additionally many alternative issues to do in Yosemite National Park. You will in all probability wish to dedicate a big chunk of time to discover the encircling space when you’ve accomplished Half Dome. A visit to any vacation spot in the nationwide park might be memorable, and we hope you could have an inspiring and profitable journey.