Hiking Yosemite's Half Dome

Half Dome and the cables

Yosemite National Park beholds some of America's greatest natural wonders including Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and Half Dome. Throughout Yosemite you will find some of the most beautiful hikes in the continental U.S. Yosemite has a diverse range of hiking trails from the mild and more family friendly to the more strenuous treks for those who are a bit more experienced and enjoy living life a little more on the edge. This post will focus on the famed Half Dome hike and will offer you some of our most valuable tips and tricks which we have learned are extremely useful and even necessary if you plan on completing this hike both safely and enjoyably.

Rising nearly 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley, Half Dome is the capstone of one of the most famous, as well as most challenging, hikes in the world. Thousands of lucky individuals (you must gain access to a permit via the National Park Service lottery system to make it to the top) reach the summit each year. For an overwhelming majority, it is one of the most exhilarating and exciting hikes most will ever encounter in their lifetime. As much as Half Dome is beautiful and awe-inspiring, it does have it's challenges though and is not for the novice hiker. Below we've listed some of the most important things to remember, pack, and prep for before venturing out on your Half Dome journey.

The Permit:

If you plan on hiking the cables at the end of the Half Dome Trail, then this is one of the most important things to remember when planning your trip to Yosemite! In order to help reduce crowding, protect nature, and improve overall safety, a permit to hike to the top of Half Dome is required. The cables are normally up the Friday before Memorial Day and stay up through the day after Columbus Day (although these dates can change dependent upon weather and trail conditions).

No more than 300 hikers are allotted permits each day to go beyond the base of Subdome to where the cables begin. Of those 300 permits, 225 are for day hikers while the remaining 75 are saved for backpackers. Day hiker permits are distributed via a lottery system. Backpackers can apply for their permits with their wilderness permit. Half Dome permit holders and any alternates should bring their ID and email confirmation to ensure no issues once you reach the Ranger at the base of Subdome as this is where they will check for permits.

The Gear:

Half Dome

No trip down the Half Dome Trail (especially up the cables) should be completed without a few very important items to ensure a safe and successful hike. Below is a quick list of some of the essential gear and clothing that you should not leave home without!

• Shoes - pretty straight forward here. Be sure you have a good pair of hiking shoes or boots. I prefer shoes over boots for this hike but that's just my preference. Ensure you have good traction and good ankle support. Don't forget to break them in if they are a relatively new pair.

• Socks - sometimes forgotten about, but a good, thick pair of socks will help keep your feet in good shape throughout this hike. If your shoes aren't water proof I would take an extra pair of socks in your bag just incase those shoes and socks get wet along your trek.

• Mole Skin - good idea to keep a pack of this handy. Even if you end up not needing it, you will be happy you packed it. You want to be proactive if your feet start hurting that way you prevent any blisters or sores on your feet or toes.

• Attire/Clothing - you want clothes that are relatively breathable and flexible. Dependent on the time of year and weather, shorts vs pants or t-shirt vs long sleeve shirt is a decision you will have to make. We went in late June so it was extremely hot and I went with flexible shorts and a breathable t-shirt which was perfect! Some folks hiked in long sleeve shirts likely more so to help protect their arms from the sun. If the forecast calls for rain, don't forget to pack a rain jacket or poncho, and a hat to help shade you from what can be an unforgiving sun!

• Gloves - these will be necessary for the cables if you plan on hiking to the top of Half Dome.

• Hiking poles - although not a necessity, these may come in handy depending on your skill level. We did not use poles for this hike, but we encountered many others who did so if you tend to use poles when hiking I would absolutely recommend you take them with you for this one. If you are a novice hiker they will definitely help you out on this trail.

• Water/Snacks - obviously very valuable on a hike like this one. Ensure you take plenty of water with you. I packed about 64 oz of water and had two Gatorades as well. I would not leave on this hike with anything less to be honest, especially during the summer months. As far as snacks go, we packed a sandwich for lunch and stopped about half way through our hike to Half Dome. We also had some salty chips and some beef jerky to snack through the hike, especially for our return trip back.

• Sunscreen - as mentioned earlier, the sun can be unforgiving on this hike as there are some stretches which can expose you to the sun for lengthy periods of time. Since it's a day hike, ensure you take care of your skin and protect yourself from the suns rays!

• First Aid Kit - should be self explanatory! Can never be to safe. A small first aid kit with the basics and essentials should always be in your backpack when hiking!

The Hike:

Half Dome Trail

One of the most strenuous and most adventurous hikes in all of the continental U.S., this 16.4 mile round trip trail will lead you up a staggering 4,800 ft in elevation gain. The trail begins near the Happy Isle Bridge where you start your journey with a fairly easy, flat stretch; however, you quickly reach some good size elevation change and begin your ascent up multiple, steep switchbacks.

Throughout the hike you pass by both Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls which are each gorgeous in their own right. Vernal Falls can be seen from a few different stretches throughout the first 1/4 or so of the hike anywhere between the Vernal Falls Bridge up until you get to the overlook which is right up next to the falls themselves. Nevada Falls, on the other hand, you encounter from a bit more of a distance but do get two or three good views between the first 1/4 to 1/2 part of the hike out.

The hike itself is beautiful and extremely scenic the entire way. There are many stretches where you are in the sun with no shade which provide for some great views of the valley and half dome; however, it does mean you are exposed to the sun for long periods of time over the course of the day so pack that sunscreen and stay hydrated. A good tip is to take some short rest breaks whenever you find some stretches of shade, that way you can minimize your sun exposure throughout the day. It's also important to have a few salty snacks and may not be a bad idea to even pack a lunch since this is more of a day hike and depending on your skill level and pace of hiking the hike can take anywhere from at least 8-12 hours to complete round trip (could be longer depending on how many rest breaks you take and how much you stop to enjoy the amazing scenery and gorgeous views).

Once you reach Sub Dome you are in the home stretch! Here is where you greet the Park Ranger, who checks for permits (as mentioned above, you must have a permit to go any further beyond this point.) The climb up Sub Dome is a challenge in itself. It is a steep, narrow climb almost the entire way up until it flattens out at the base of Half Dome. From here, the rest of your hike is really more of a climb.

The Cables:

The cables

You'll have to make your way up Half Dome's famed cables to reach the top and enjoy the views. The 15-20 minute climb up the cables is well worth the death defying adventure as the views of Yosemite from here are unmatched. This is a hike you will never forget. In order to climb the cables make sure you entered the lottery system and have that permit. Even if you don't get the chance to climb Half Dome, the hike to the base of Subdome is still well worth your time as the experience and views along the way are spectacular.

As we mentioned earlier, gloves are a necessity if climbing up the cables. Due to the steepness of the climb and the smoothness of the rock, you will need a good grip on those cables both for your climb up and as you make your way back down the cables, so a good pair of gloves are important for this stretch. Additionally, this is also where your solid hiking shoes will come in handy. A good pair of shoes with solid grip underneath will help you with your footing since the Half Dome surface is extremely smooth the entire climb up.

A few other tips for ensuring that you conquer the cables safely:

- Take your Time! There is no rush in getting to the top. Also, by this point you have just completed at least 8 miles of hiking so your body and especially your legs may be feeling a bit tired.

- Be respectful and courteous of your fellow hikers! The cables are extremely narrow and must accommodate two way traffic of hikers both ascending and descending so you will have to stop intermittently and coordinate with fellow hikers as you pass by one another safely and securely.

- Stay inside the cables! Most importantly, and should go without saying, do not step outside the cables, not even to let others pass by! Although narrow, there is enough space between the cables to allow each other to pass by. Don't be a hero or try to get some crazy shot by going on the outside of the cables as this will just increase your odds of something going horribly wrong!

The Half Dome Trail can be a long, exhausting day! Make sure you are prepared before you arrive with your permit and the right gear, but also don't forget about preparing your body too! Make sure you do some physical activity such as hiking, running, or some time of cardo exercise prior to this hike so that it's not a shock to your system. Don't forget to stretch, both before and after the hike! Also, be on the lookout for wildlife. Remember to always be "bear aware", pack some bear spray, and don't feed the squirrels and chipmunks which you will undoubtedly encounter along your journey.

Most importantly though... have fun, enjoy the views, and be safe out there!!!

For more information regarding the lottery system and overnight backpacking options check out Cables On Half Dome, Yosemite National Park - Recreation.gov.

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