This is the classic Yosemite hike that everyone should do at least once in their lifetime. Many have seen Ansel Adam's famous photo of the moon and Half Dome. What's nice is that it's possible for many to walk to the top of this crown jewel in Yosemite National Park. It takes about one day to hike from the bottom of Yosemite Valley to the top of Half Dome and back. With good preparation and planning, most adults in good health can get to the top of Half Dome.
Yosemite Hiking Preparation
Being fit makes this hike a lot safer and more enjoyable. Both couch potatoes and marathon runners have completed this hike. Unfortunately, many out of shape hikers remember the day as a long death march. Cardio and endurance training beforehand makes the hike much more enjoyable. Fit hikers complete this 14 to 16 mile round trip walk in an average of 7 to 10 hours round trip while those not as fit take 12 hours or more. Total elevation gain is 4800 feet. Because the hike is so long, it's a good idea to bring a flashlight in case the hiking extends past sunset.
The best time to start on this Yosemite hiking trail is shortly before sunrise. This allows less fit hikers extra daylight hours to complete the round trip. For those in good shape, the early start helps them avoid crowds while hiking Half Dome's cable section.
Begin the hike at the Happy Isles trailhead. Take either the Mist Trail (more scenic, steeper, and shorter) or the John Muir Trail (less steep but longer). While going up either trail, hikers view scenic Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. At Nevada Falls, hikers should replenish their water supply from the Merced River. While visiting at the top of either waterfall, do not get into the water. Many hikers have been swept over the falls to their deaths.
Yosemite's Half Dome Trail
After leaving Nevada Falls, take the John Muir Trail past Little Yosemite Valley which is a crowded backpacker's camp site that requires a permit to stay overnight. Eventually, there is a split where the John Muir Trail goes to the east while the Half Dome Trail heads west. Take the Half Dome Trail and continue hiking for another two miles.
Parts of this trail include many steep stair steps of granite. The altitude and the steep steps slow most hikers down considerably in this section, especially those who live at sea level. Many feel winded and exhausted just before reaching the cables, hence the warning about getting in shape before attempting this hike.
Climbing Half Dome's Cables
At last, the trail reaches the infamous cable section. This last part of the trail goes up a 400 foot east face of Half Dome. Since it is very steep, the National Park Service installs cables for hikers to hold their hand on between May and October. To successfully use the cables safely, do the following:
- Bring and wear gloves to protect the hands from the cables. Sometimes there are rotting spare gloves at the bottom of the cables for those who did not bring a pair.
- Walk on the inside of the cables.
- Do not use the cables if it's raining, snowing, or if the surface is wet. It is very easy to slide off the cables if the rock is wet and become seriously injured or killed.
- Use the wooden planks laid on the trail to stand and rest if you're too tired to move or if there is traffic ahead.
Do not climb the cables if there any signs of thunderstorms visible anywhere in the sky. Half Dome acts like a lightning rod and experiences many lightning strikes that have struck hikers before.
To get down from Half Dome, retrace the same steps going up. Getting down the cables can be harder than going up. It's best to lean forward slightly while holding the cables so that the entire surface of the feet makes contact with the ground. As long as hikers started at sunrise, most should be able to return to the Happy Isles trailhead before sunset. After returning to Happy Isles, it's time to enjoy a well deserved meal at Curry Village's dinner buffet, which is a short distance from the trailhead.
Transportation and Parking for Half Dome
Yosemite National Park is located within the Sierra Nevada mountains in the state of California. The nearest major metropolitan area is the San Francisco Bay Area. To reach the beginning of this hike at Happy Isle trailhead, drive to Yosemite National Park and proceed to Yosemite Valley. Park at Curry Village. Walk east towards Happy Isles (about 1 mile) or take the Yosemite Valley shuttle service to the trailhead.
