The 2022 Half Dome Hike Guide: Tips For Hiking Half Dome

Hiking is fun, but the experience is better at Half Dome Yosemite National Park. Considered as a Yosemite icon, Half Dome makes a great challenging experience for many hikers. Here’s why–hikers pass notable falls, climb through tall sequoias, and afterward pull themselves up steel links to remain at the culmination. The experience is not only a climb where hikers appear at the trailhead and go. There’s a good measure of tension about the cable part of the hike for many people. However, if you are thrilled with challenges, hiking at Half Dome will be fun for you! Read through these things you need to know before voyaging at Half Dome.

Why You Should Hike Half Dome In Yosemite National Park California

Half Dome hike is a legendary Yosemite day climb. The experience is one you can’t pass on without doing, and the one you’re well on the way to bite the dust while doing. It has 900 feet or 300 meters worth of stupendous cascades at the base when you take the Mist Trail course. You will witness greater-than-life panoramic vistas at the top. 

There is a knee-thumping, hand-clamming cable rising that will test your fortitude, solidarity, and the track on your shoes. Half Dome is a great endurance hike taking guests 4800 feet over the Yosemite Valley. It goes through the breathtaking perspectives on Vernal and Nevada Falls, Liberty Cap, Half Dome. Moreover, the hike exhibits a panorama of Yosemite Valley and the High Sierra.

Half Dome Trail Hike Yosemite – General Information

  • Total Distance of The Trail: 17 miles or 27.4 kilometers
  • Half Dome Elevation:  4,800 feet (1,600 meters) from Yosemite Valley
  • Total Hiking Time: 10 to 14 hours
  • Difficulty Level: It is very challenging. The trail is long, steep toward the start and end, and more dangerous than most Yosemite climbs. It is presumably the most troublesome of all Yosemite day climbs. 
  • Parking: Your nearest choice is the trailhead parking garage, generally somewhere between Curry Village and the trailhead. If the parking is full, you can stop at Curry Village on the east end of Southside Drive. If you’re taking the path from Glacier Point, park in the Glacier Point parking area and take the Panorama Trail. Most Yosemite Valley hikes allow you to park in any part and catch the free transport to the trailhead. 

Permit To Hike Half Dome: How To Get Your Permit & Lottery Information

The US National Park Service requires a permit for Half Dome hikes seven days of the week. Reservations will be dispersed through a lottery framework. A limit of 300 climbers is allowed on the Half Dome cables every day. Half Dome permits are accessible daily on a strictly first-come-first-served basis.

Half Dome permits are granted through a lottery, which happens during March. The recreation center gives another 50 more passes every day, two days ahead through the late spring. You can apply for these permits on the web or by calling 877-444-6777. The number of additional grants granted will change contingent upon their evaluations of how bustling the path will be.

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How to Approach Half Dome Hike From Yosemite Valley

Yosemite Valley’s east end is the trail end to which practically all streets in Yosemite lead. From 140, stay out and about until you’re in Yosemite Valley. You can also do the same from the north (Big Oak Flat) entrance. And, from Tioga Road, go west until it ends at Big Oak Flat Road. At that point, turn left and follow Big Oak Flat Road to the valley. From the south passageway, take roadway 41 (which you’re as of now on) right to the valley. 

Whenever you have arrived at Yosemite Valley, look out for signs to Curry Village and head their overall way. Upon arriving at the Curry Village region of the valley, you should begin spotting signs for trailhead parking. Follow them to the trailhead parcel or park at Curry Village. 

In case you’re taking the Glacier Point course, take roadway 41 to Glacier Point Road. Afterward, take Glacier Point Road to its eastern end at, suitably, Glacier Point.

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When To Hike Half Dome Yosemite National Park

It’s not recommended that you hike Half Dome except when the cables are up, which is, for the most part, from late May or early June through Columbus Day weekend in October. The waterfalls are better earlier in the year you go. Evade Half Dome on days when there are thunder mists in the zone because it’s not worth the danger. Indeed, even a downpour without lightning will make the stone on the cable course perilously smooth. Hence, it’s ideal to skip turbulent days.

Unlike in 2010, the new permit-required-each-day framework implies that no specific day of the week is probably considerably less swarmed. However, permits are mostly simpler to get during weekdays and trouble-free to get for September and October.

Crowd Factor at Half Dome Yosemite Hike

Annually, from sunrise until nightfall, there’s a gridlock high over the Yosemite Valley floor from Memorial Day into October. The journey to Yosemite National Park’s notorious pinnacle is a destination hike for individuals from across the globe. It is packed with the utmost 1,200 individuals competing for an all-encompassing view of the High Sierra every day.

How To Get To Half Dome Yosemite: Parking Information

Transportation is mostly accessible via auto and Shuttle Bus (Shuttle Stop #16). However, there is restricted public access for vehicles near the Half Dome Trailhead. If you wish to drive you must park at the trailhead or at Curry Village where parking is available but limited. Private transport organization or shuttle buses can fill in the holes when parking is not available. When heading to Yosemite, you should know about occasional street terminations and check your course previously.  

Several Other Hikes in Yosemite National Park to Experience

There are a lot more trails and spectacles that await you in the Half Dome Yosemite hike!

  1. The John Muir Trail

No matter where you are staying, you should get to the Happy Isles trailhead of the John Muir Trail to start your Half Dome hike. It’s only east of Curry Village. Transport stop #16 is near the trailhead. Close to it is a decent comfort room and is additionally a protected spot to fill your water bottles. 

Proceed down the transport street until you cross the Merced. On that spot, turn right and follow the signs along the southern bank. In around 200 yards, you will see a US Geologic Survey stream gage station. Estimations are taken here and telemetered utilizing a satellite to USGS workplaces in Virginia.

The path runs 211 miles on the peak of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Numerous individuals start in Yosemite Valley and climb south to the highest point of Mt. Whitney, requiring around a month. The John Muir Trail is an absolute necessity to travel for energetic climbers. After you’ve done the Half Dome hike, you may consider handling it sometime in the future.

The Vernal Fall Trail and The Top of the Vernal Fall

This famous hike starts close to Happy Isles in eastern Yosemite Valley (transport stop #16). This initially cleared mile of the trail is busiest and gets to the Vernal Fall Footbridge. Predominantly, you can acknowledge sceneries in route. When the water levels are at their pinnacle during spring, you can see Illilouette Fall from the trail’s first section.

You’ll locate a great perspective on Vernal Fall from the footbridge at 0.8 miles (1.3 km). About 0.2 miles (0.3 km) past the scaffold, the Mist Trail and the John Muir Trail diverge. To reach the Vernal Falls top, follow the Mist Trail 0.5 miles (0.8 km) up.

At the highest point of Vernal Fall, you can encounter stunning views straight down the length of the 317-foot fall. It would be safe if you will not attempt to cross the railings. Likewise, utilize extraordinary alertness while you’re close to any streaming water or wet stone here.

The Yosemite Falls Trail

Built from 1873 to 1877, the Yosemite Falls Trail is one of Yosemite’s oldest historic trails. It prompts the highest point of North America’s tallest falls, which rises 2,425 feet (739 m) over the Valley floor. This path begins close to Camp 4, along the Valley Loop Trail, and quickly starts its ascension through an oak forest. Move over to uncovered levels that offer you a brief look at the incredible Yosemite Valley and its famous landforms. Try not to wander off of the maintained way, as you will discover steep drops contiguous to the path.

At the Yosemite Falls Trail’s peak, you can stretch out your climb east to Yosemite Point. You can follow North Dome signs, which adds 1.6 miles roundtrip (2.6 km) to this climb). Alternatively, you can go west to Eagle Peak by following the signs to El Capitan. This path adds 5.8 miles roundtrip (9.3 km) to this climb.

Yosemite Point offers a direct sight of Half Dome that rivals those found on the North Dome trail. It gives you a chance to see Lost Arrow Spire very close and offers panoramic perspectives on different pinnacles. Eagle Peak is a piece of the Three Brothers rock development. It is the most elevated point on the north edge of Yosemite Valley. Likewise, it gives you an alternate point of view of the encompassing stone view.

The Snow Creek Trail

This path is tucked back in Tenaya Canyon, gotten to from the eastern Yosemite Valley. Like the Yosemite Falls Trail, this path climbs steeply along a few dozen curves yet is smaller in the assessment. Snow Creek Falls is close by course. However, it is not noticeable from this path. You will frequently discover fewer individuals on this path compared with other Yosemite Valley trails. 

The initial segment of the path comprises the Mirror Lake Trail. About a mile past Mirror Lake, you’ll go to the intersection of the Snow Creek Trail. From here, you will start climbing steeply out of Tenaya Canyon, one curve after another. You are compensated with useful perspectives on different rock landforms after just twelve or so turns. The views improve as you move higher until the path leaves the open ravine dividers and enters the timberland.

The Four Mile Trail

This path starts near Sentinel Rock’s base and moves to Yosemite Valley’s peak at Glacier Point. It keeps a consistent steep evaluation, following the way of an old coast trail in 1872. Tremendous perspectives on Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and Half Dome await those ready to handle this arduous path. Try not to skip the side excursion to appreciate the view of Yosemite Valley from Union Point.

The Four Mile Trail closes at Glacier Point, where bathrooms, parking lots, and a bite stand are accessible. You can decide to climb back to Yosemite Valley by switching your course. Alternatively, you can proceed on the Panorama Trail, which carries you to the Happy Isles Trailhead in another 8.5 miles or 13.7 kilometers.

Are Pets Allowed at Half Dome Yosemite?

Half Dome Trail is one of the hikes in Yosemite that does not allow leashed pets. NPS permits leashed pets on most completely cleared streets, walkways, and bikeways and in most developed zones except if there is an indication that explicitly precludes them.

What to Bring to Half Dome Hike

Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Plus Ii Waterproof Hiking Boot Shoe – If you’re up for this challenging hike, make sure to wear high-quality boots. It will keep you from having blisters or ankle injuries. 

Outdoor 3 Day Expandable 40-64L Backpack Military Tactical Hiking Bug Out Bag – You cannot go back and forth the trail simply because you need something. Have a spacious and sturdy backpack that will protect all your essentials.

A Gallon Water Bottle Water Jug  – Hours of hiking require you to drink plenty of water. Bring a reusable water jug that has a considerable capacity. With this, you can consume more without harming the environment. 

First Aid Only 299 Piece All-Purpose – Accidents are inevitable, and the hike is strenuous; hence, it is better to prepare medicines, bandages, and ointments.

TrailBuddy Trekking Poles – This supports you in tackling the tricky trail of Half Dome.

Nutritious Bars or Snacks – It may take a while before you find a snack stand. Therefore, it is better to carry your snacks to keep you going.

Final Words

If you are an adventurous person who sees strenuous hikes as leisurely, the Half Dome hike is for you. The challenging trail is a promising path that will give you a sight of Yosemite’s beautiful scenery. Take the risk, as well as all the things you need to know for this hike. Also, don’t forget to prepare for more spectacular things you will witness.

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