Looking for the last word Yosemite day hike? Half Dome is one to your climbing bucket checklist and is definitely probably the most well-known in Yosemite National Park. It just isn’t for newbies; you’ll want good health and technical capacity. However, if you’re 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 let you know all the pieces it is advisable to know concerning the Half Dome hike. From what to anticipate alongside the way in which to a breakdown of the most effective instances for climbing Half Dome, we’ve acquired you coated.
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 title from its attribute form: a easy curve on one facet and a sheer drop on the opposite. The rock is, fairly actually, a half dome.
Half Dome is a formidable 8,800 ft (2682 meters) above sea degree that rises 4,800 ft (1463 meters) above Yosemite Valley. The rock formation is actually an uncovered magma chamber, which turned seen because of the uplift and the erosion of rock above and round it. The curved facet was formed by exfoliation – a type of weathering. The flat, vertical facet of the rock was additionally weathered into its present form, with glaciation serving to to additional obtain the form we see at present.
Half Dome doesn’t simply get its fame from its appears, although; the Half Dome hike is famend as probably the most 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 finest locations to go to in the US in the event you love outside actions. Now that you’re extra aware of it let’s dive straight into the remainder of our information.
What to know earlier than you hike Half Dome
One of crucial issues we now have realized after tackling many difficult trails is that preparation is essential. You don’t wish to arrive to search out the path closed, or that you should apply for a Half Dome allow. This part will cowl the necessities – the issues you need to completely know earlier than climbing the Half Dome path.
Yosemite National Park has strict laws.
Forget merely deciding to climb Half Dome on the final minute; simply getting into Yosemite National Park can require a great degree of planning. The nationwide park has frequent laws and restrictions, and you may 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 examine the official Yosemite National Park web site for highway closures or different necessary messages.
Half Dome hike is just open in sure months
Half Dome hike just isn’t an all-year-round path. The Half Dome cables are sometimes 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 unattainable.
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 in the event you 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 completely different path choices
There isn’t only one route that you would be able to take to sort out Half Dome. While there is just one remaining part (the Half Dome cables), you’ve gotten completely different path choices to decide on easy methods to get there. After Vernal Falls Bridge, the trail branches into two, and you may choose the Mist Trail or John Muir Trail to observe.
Mist Trail and the John Muir Trail are the preferred major route choices. However, if you would like an additional difficult hike, you’ll be able to 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 ensure you’ve utilized to 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 may also outline it. You’ll choose between completely different views, points of interest, 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’ll be able to 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 unimaginable 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’ll be able to 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 implausible views of Vernal Falls as you climb the steps proper beside them, getting so shut that you’re coated 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 possibly can additionally choose to hike Half Dome from Glacier Point. The 20-mile path is far much less trodden due to its demanding size and the bodily health it requires. But if you would like a problem, it combines experiencing Half Dome with the gorgeous viewpoint at Glacier Point.
If you need extra journey…
So, these are the first path choices that you just’ll get. But what if you would like extra journey? You may also sort out the Half Dome hike through these completely different routes, turning the Half Dome hike right into a multi-day expertise.
Tenaya Lake is an attractive alpine lake shaped 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 can even 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 undoubtedly price the additional effort. And this fashion, 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 strategy to attain the trailhead is to drive, and if you’re questioning the place to park, don’t fear because the trailhead car parking zone has plenty 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 possibility 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 points of interest 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 possibly can take a guided tour of Half Dome. These excursions sometimes 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 common, 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 – it is a actuality that sounds fairly difficult whenever you say it out loud. You’ll be strolling from dawn and returning in the late night in the event you select a Half Dome day hike. Half Dome is not at all a simple hike, and you need to count on to be pushed to the bounds of your bodily and psychological capability. There are extraordinarily steep and slippery components of the path and uncovered sections the place you’ll don’t have any safety from the solar. By nature, the Half Dome hike is difficult.
However, you can even count on Half Dome to be probably the most rewarding hikes in the US. Along the path, you’ll discover gorgeous waterfalls and serene viewpoints and face many challenges that instill a robust sense of accomplishment. Since you must get fortunate to bag Half Dome permits, there’s an awesome environment amongst these climbing Half Dome Trail. After all, a hike to Half Dome is a privilege. The supportive environment is what many individuals declare to be among the finest issues on a stroll to Half Dome.
It’s mentioned that round 20-30% of hikers really 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 sort out the final 400 ft or determine to show round, the constructive environment offers a robust sense of “we are all in this together”.
In phrases of services, the one flush bathrooms obtainable are at Vernal Falls Footbridge. You will discover composting bathrooms close to Emerald Pool, Nevada Falls, and Little Yosemite Valley. Just bear in mind to carry your personal rest room paper. At Vernal Falls Footbridge you’ll be able to replenish your water, so plan a refill cease there in your approach 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 car parking zone by the ‘Happy Isles’ Trailhead, it’s a leisurely stroll alongside the Happy Isle Loop Road for a couple of half mile. You’ll cross the Merced River over the Happy Isles Bridge, then take a proper on the fork to hitch 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 move Nevada Falls, Liberty Cap, and Little Yosemite Valley, lastly reaching the Half Dome trailhead. Before you sort out 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 picket helps set at each 15 ft or so, permitting you a perch to relaxation on, and two metallic cables working both facet of the observe so that you can help and steadiness your self. A through feratta harness is elective, though increasingly more individuals are bringing climbing tools following current 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 sweet to have the ability to cease at points of interest like Nevada Falls alongside the way in which, 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 strategy to summit Half Dome. Most of the pure points of interest on the way in which double up as distinguished factors for navigation, so that you’ll naturally get to sightsee as you navigate your strategy to the summit. This part will cowl the most effective issues to see and do alongside the way in which.
Nevada Fall
The Merced River makes the Half Dome hike an interesting path, because it has many waterfalls and dramatic river scenes to admire alongside the way in which. Nevada Fall is a formidable 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 coated 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 shall 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 move by Little Yosemite Valley on a sandy path, slicing by woodland and wilderness. Little Yosemite Valley is an attractive panorama, and it’s possible you’ll spot black bears, deer, coyotes, and even bobcats in the event you’ve acquired a pointy eye.
Liberty Cap
Liberty Cap is an enormous granite dome, not not like Half Dome. You’ll move the dome simply after you move 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 formidable pure landmark.
Olmsted Point
Olmsted Point may not be precisely in your route, however you’ll be able to at all times add it on as a detour. The scenic lookout gives views over Half Dome and Tanaya Canyon. It is an efficient add-on if you’re 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’ll be able to pull in and go to as a substitute. It is a superb 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 price contemplating if you’re 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 unique perspective of Half Dome. Most folks mix climbing up Clouds Rest and Half Dome over three to 4 days.
Glacier Point
As we coated earlier, some folks might want to begin their Half Dome hike at Glacier Point slightly than Happy Isles. While this route is rather a lot 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 without doubt 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 may count on delays throughout 2023 till the highway upkeep is completed.
What to carry on the Half Dome hike
As we now have mentioned, preparation is important. There are many hikes in the US that you would be able to present as much as in informal, on a regular basis garments and trainers and have a implausible time. However, figuring out that the Half Dome hike requires dependable garments and kit is important. At the very least, you’ll wish to go away your worn-out runners at house, and on the most, it’s possible you’ll even wish to carry climbing tools 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 if you’re 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 entire tenting gear. Little Yosemite Valley Campground lets you go away 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 need to sort out the Half Dome cables with a tent in your backpack. With this in thoughts, although, you need to restrict the property you carry so that you could safely go away issues in your tent. You can even want a bear field to retailer meals safely if you are away.
You ought to at all times carry loads of water, rest room paper, sunscreen, bear spray, and a Half Dome Trail map because the cellphone sign will be sketchy. Half Dome hikers tackling the spherical journey in a day might require much less meals and water, however it’s clever to hold a bit greater than you assume you’ll want. A number of sugary snacks will be nice for supplying you with that wanted increase 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 shall be helpful if you wish to strap your self in for additional safety on the Half Dome cables. The Half Dome cables aren’t designed to be tackled as a Via Ferrata route. In reality, the poles can often come free – so climbing strapped to the cables isn’t risk-free. However, it does present some additional safety and peace of thoughts. You might want to take the additional precaution if in case you have a concern 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 in the event you add footwear with a nasty 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 help when navigating your approach 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 last item you need is to be battling heatstroke and sunburn if you end up already on essentially the most difficult part of the climb. You’ll additionally respect a thick pair of gloves with a great grip for the Half Dome cables part.
As the rock is slippery in this part, you’ll closely depend on higher physique energy to help your self by holding the metallic cables. Gloves will assist forestall blisters and make the duty a lot simpler for you. Also, if you end up completed, take into consideration giving your gloves to a different climber. That approach you don’t have to hold them down or go away them there.
Finally, you’ll want all the usual climbing fundamentals. Make positive to carry layers (together with a water-proof, windproof coat) and comfy, well-fitting garments.
Best time to hike to Half Dome
The incontrovertible fact that the Half Dome cables are solely obtainable from Memorial Day to Columbus Day already narrows down the most effective time to hike Half Dome. If you wish to sort out the hike, you’ll have to get a Half Dome allow to let you 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 daylight because you get fewer daylight in September than in the peak of summer season. You can at all times e book 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 must be cooler, making climbing extra pleasurable. You ought to discover that campsites have more room 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 folks as doable then plan to reach round 8 am to the cables. If you get there between 11 am and 12 pm you’ll be able to 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 situations 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 bathroom block if doable.
Half Dome permits is likely to be thrilling to win, however it’s by no means price persevering with on a high-risk path when you’ll be able to 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 troublesome is the Half Dome hike?
In brief, the Half Dome hike is troublesome. The mileage and elevation achieve are each substantial, and the difficult sections have actual dangers. More than twenty folks have died tackling the Half Dome path, and over forty folks have died on the routes used to entry the ultimate part. The dangers are actual, and it is advisable to be energetic when prioritizing your security. Successful Half Dome hikers are courageous however undoubtedly not silly.
The path lengths fluctuate from 14.2 miles to 23 miles, so that you’ll want to decide on the path that most accurately fits you and your health abilities. In principle, you possibly can sort out the Half Dome hike with out coaching. Still, you’d must be in any other case match and wholesome with a great baseline degree of health. You’ll be extra profitable in the event you do some coaching main as much as the hike.
Plus, climbing if you are 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 approach, you’ll be able to camp at Little Yosemite Valley Campground and break up the gap over two days.
To Conclude
Half Dome hike is definitely 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 good 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 sort out this hike.
Feeling impressed? You might wish to try a few of our different favourite hikes in California or the United States as an entire. Of course, there are additionally many various 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 shall be memorable, and we hope you’ve gotten an inspiring and profitable journey.