Half Dome Day Hike via John Muir Trail

Hiking Half Dome is one of the most popular trails in Yosemite, every ambitious visitor desires to hike.  Half Dome captures the hearts of millions of guests visiting the park each year.  The trail has 900 feet (300 meters) worth of spectacular waterfalls, stunning panoramic vistas at the top and hand-clamming cable ascent that will test your courage and your strength.  I had the opportunity to hike Half Dome while living and working in the park for four years.  During the years I’ve lived in Yosemite, I also had the opportunity to do Preventative Search and Rescue in the park.  While doing that, I have seen enough accidents on the trail and felt the conviction to create a post on safety while climbing Half Dome.

BEFORE YOU START:

Watch for Weather Reports:  Unpredictable weather patterns on Half Dome can come out of nowhere.  Slip and falls are one of the most common injuries happen on the Mist Trail and tragic falls on Half Dome.  From sub-dome to the summit, the trail is above the tree line, totally exposed to the weather. If you are climbing up the cables and you see clouds over your head, it is simply not recommended it to continue.

Wear hiking shoes with good traction.  There are spots on the Mist Trail where it is narrow, slippery and wet.  Wearing hiking shoes with good traction can help with avoiding slip and falls.  Tennis shoes, unfortunately, are not sufficient for a successful climb to Half Dome.

Be In Good Physical Condition:  Climbing Half Dome and even to the Subdome is challenging.  To get to the base of the cables nearly as serious as the cables themselves.  The steps are 8,000ft. in elevation where the air is thinner and the breathing gets challenging.  The hike becomes strenuous and difficult. Good physical conditioning is crucial to a successful hike on Half Dome.

Wear Gloves, Harness, Clips:   Gloves, harness,  carabiner, and Y-shaped lanyard can be purchased at Mountaineering sports shop in Curry Village.   It is not required, but helpful to have.

Carry a map and pack light: Carry a topographical map and pack light for a day hike. I’ve seen enough hikers on the trail who carry way too much stuff than what is needed for a a successful day hike to the top of Half Dome. If water is too much to carry, hydrate a couple of days prior to your climb. I do it all the times for any major strenuous trails I embark on.

HALF DOME TRAIL INFORMATION: (10-12 hours one-way)  

It is a 14-mile round-trip and gains a 5,000ft. of elevation starting in Yosemite valley.  To get to the trailhead, take the Yosemite Valley Shuttle Stop #16. A Half Dome Permit is required seven days a week to access the cable section of the trail.  Most permits are awarded through a lottery that takes place at the end of March, with additional lotteries of 50 or so permits per day taking place throughout the summer two days in advance.   Crowd factor is high, and summer heat can drain you faster than you might think.  Please be prepared.

Sunrise Half Dome Day Hike Photo Gallery