The biggest downside to hiking half dome via the panorama trail is finishing the long, roundtrip hike with a 1,400foot uphill slog to glacier point. The full elevation of half dome is 8,839 feet above sea level, but the elevation gain during the hike up to half dome is. If you would like to attempt half domes summit, but need more than one day, we can make arrangements for an overnight adventure that includes backpacking. Your expert yosemite guide provides you with safety gear, and coaches you throughout the 12hour day to make sure that you reach the summit safely. A woman fell from the cables at half dome in yosemite national park. The cables to the summit of half dome in yosemite will be in place may 2 for hikers. Personally, i have been up and down the cables route many times, with the cables both up and down and have never used any particular safety equipment aside from my. Half dome hike hiking half dome at yosemite national park.
The trail starts at porcupine creek trailhead off tioga pass. Cables on half dome half dome cables half dome cable. The nps has produced a great new video that gives a really good introduction on hiking half dome. Expert tips for hiking yosemites half dome the big. Stairs leading up to subdome all covered in snow, but its well traveled and covered in kick steps. Climbing half dome guide discover yosemite national park. We strongly recommend checking out the young lakes mount conness backpacking trip as an excellent alternative to half. Climbing half dome will take you dizzying heights with its sheer face and reward you with unparalleled views youll remember for a lifetime. Wilderness permit reservations yosemite national park u. Long day hike to the top of half dome, yosemite national park, with outstanding views of vernal and nevada falls, half dome, yosemite valley and the high sierra.
Terraunity terraland yosemite international park 3d. The meadow in the middle of the valley provides a lot of nice views of half dome, and its hardly ever out of sight. Hiking half dome in yosemite national park james kaiser. This entry is not a detailed account of yosemites half dome hike. Apr 20, 2009 if you enjoyed, please subscribe for biweekly vids.
Jun 30, 2012 this entry is not a detailed account of yosemites half dome hike. Wilderness permit reservations are available and strongly recommended up to 24 weeks 168 days in advance, and up until two days before your hike. Jul 31, 2019 id go for late september early october, but definitely after labor day when it gets less crowded. Terraunity terraland yosemite international park 3d simulation terraunity. Hiking half dome in yosemite, a stepbystep guide earth trekkers. So, whether you yearn for the bald head of half dome, or you have your eye on some other summit sit back, snack on trail mix, and learn the ins and outs of conquering the oneday roundtrip hike to half dome.
As a half dome hiking guide, i am humble enough to know that although i may have reached the summit of this peak more than most people, i am not the only expert on half dome. North dome is a good all day hike that culminates in a face to face view of half dome that it hard to beat anywhere else in the park. There is a preseason lottery during the month of march, and daily lotteries while the cables are up. In the spring, when the lake is full of water, it lives up to its name, with half dome reflected in its mirrorlike surface. The hike itself is about 1416 miles roundtrip and hikers. If you are caught on half dome in an electrical storm, you chances of getting struck by lighting go from 1 in a 100 million to 1 in 100 chance of getting struck. For hiking enthusiasts, the trek to yosemites half dome is a rite of passage one that many hikers prepare for with training.
We lucked out winning the lottery to hike half dome. Theres some chance that early snow will cancel, but the permits are easier, the crowds are smaller and a bit less crazy. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Other routes can be taken to the top of half dome, including following panorama trail down from glacier point past illilouette falls, down to john muir trail, and up to half dome 10 miles one way, or hiking south from tenaya lake on tioga road through the yosemite backcountry to half dome 11.
Yosemite national park made a short hiking half dome video. Half dome s cables are an exciting challenge for many but keep in mind, they are arduous. Hike half dome on a guide yosemite half dome trek yexplore half dome summit club by john p. The half dome hike is an amazing hike that culminates to a. Nine essential tips for hiking half dome that you do not. Jul 25, 2019 2015 yosemite half dome hiking open 3 weeks early. Exalted for its magnificence and revered for its challenging trail. The dome, 8,842 feet of granite rock, is the signature landmark of yosemite national park. Up the half dome by mac 3 comments this is the third part of a fourpart post, to make sure youre up to speed, best to start with part 1. How to get a permit, hiking with kids, and lots of photos so you know what to expect.
Begin at the bridalveil fall parking area a paved trail leads from the parking area to the base of the waterfall, which fows all year. Heres what these two hikes have in common and which is the more demanding. Half dome is yosemites most iconic attraction in all of yosemite valley, but it is also the most sought after which is why this is the only day hike in the park that requires a permit. Hopefully, this helps you if you are hiking half dome, or at least allows you to live vicariously through me and to see what summiting half dome entails. People have died on half dome from a variety of causes. Quick questions about gear for hiking half dome with the cables down so im getting ready to hike half dome with the cables down in a few days and have some quick questions about climbing gear for the final ascent. On this hike you get to walk on some of yosemites most popular hiking trails, view the vernal and nevada waterfalls, and walk through shady forests of sequoia trees. Another option is starting at glacier point, hiking to half dome, then following the classic route to yosemite valley. The trail is primarily used for hiking, rock climbing, and nature trips and is best used from april until october. Degrazio hike half dome 2 day backpack adventure 17 miles.
Aim for early start 8am arrival at base of subdome to avoid slushy snow. Half dome day use hiking permits are not available at any office in yosemite national park. Its got 900 feet 300 meters worth of spectacular waterfalls at the bottom if you take the mist trail route. The top of this granite dome sits 4,800 feet off of the valley floor at a total elevation of 8,844 feet 2,695 meters. Yosemite hikes home yosemite valley half dome cable tips the hazards of half dome. In spring and summer, daily lotteries award unused or canceled permits two days before an intended summit day. Hiker falls to her death from yosemites half dome cables.
Hikers gain 4,800 feet of elevation along the trail that passes highlights such as vernal fall and nevada fall, before reaching the cables on half dome s steep granite domes. Half dome is a large rock that is grounded into the earth, thus a large lightning rod. I think september is the best time for hiking anywhere in the yosemite high country, and october can be good, too, but theres also an increasing risk of a snowstorm in october, which would prompt the park to close the cable route on half dome. The last 400 vertical feet meters up the eastern slope are so sheer that yosemite staff have. As you hike half dome, youll sweat, youll get wet, and there is no doubt that youll want to take off your hiking boots and throw in the towel. There are several ways to get to the top of half dome.
After failing to get wilderness permits the day before our hike we went back to the wilderness center around 8 am the day we wanted to go up and were able to get same day cancellation permits. Yosemite guided hikes yosemite national park hiking tours. Download the free hd 4k ultra hd stock videofootage from our eshop from the direct link provided at the end screen of each video. Hike half dome yosemite national park guided half dome. Take the strenuous challenge on a fullday guided hike to the top of yosemite national parks iconic landmark. Hiking up half dome at yosemite feels like a 90 degree climb. Tours will last seven to ten hours with the half dome hike potentially lasting longer.
First, hiking to the summit of half dome seems like a challenging and fun adventure. But the best part of the trail is the final climb on the half dome cables and your reward. The two metal cables allow hikers to climb the last 400 feet to the summit without rock climbing equipment. Theres some important stuff in there so make sure to read carefully especially the advice on the gloves and water. Apr 15, 2020 the hike to half dome is one of yosemites most challenging and most memorable hikes.
Most people get here by hiking the 17mile round trip route from the valley floor and taking the cable route to the top. Yosemites delayed lottery for half dome hiking permits. This national park service video depicts what awaits those who land a permit to hike to the roof of half dome. If you do the entire hike beginning from the valley floor to the top and back, expect to spend the greater part of your day doing the hike. Summit with the most experienced yosemite guide service rated highest in customer satisfaction. Yosemite half dome hike video from youtube this one of the many videos i found on youtube about the yosemite half dome hike. If you plan on hiking during the day, its smart to leave around sunrise or earlier and then have a nonnegotiable turnaround time. The insider team believes that life is an adventure. The half dome cables take you straight up, but traversing the sub dome requires a lot of lateral movement. I had watched multiple youtube videos of the hike and even then i was really overwhelmed when i reached the base of the cables and looked up.
Day hiking with 35 to 40 lbs in the pack you intend to hike with on the trip and making sure your hiking boots are. I think its a perfect hike to add on your adventure bucket list. The summit, itself, is just one of the many highlights of this trip. Hiking 20 miles alone on the half dome trail in yosemite youtube. Dana, vogelsang lake, ten lakes pass, pohono trail from inspiration point to dewey point. If you do a trip like this in the future, i would recommend you. Half dome day use hiking permits are valid for a single day 12. Nine essential tips for hiking yosemites half dome note that all tip photos are from our nine prep hikes. Vernal fall, nevada fall, the silver apron, emerald pool, panorama cliffs, liberty cap, tenaya canyon, and the sub dome are just some of the other. As this page explains, the park usually removes the cables for the winter after columbus day and installs them again right before memorial day. Below you will find information and tips for hiking to the top of half dome in yosemite national park. For an audio described version of this video, go to htt. Hike half dome yosemite national park guided half dome treks. We lucked out winning the lottery to hike half dome after a second attempt.
Hiking 120 miles alone on the tour du mont blanc loop duration. Fortunately hiking trails are never just a straight line. Our guides choice is the clouds rest day hike, where youll summit the iconic 9,926foot peak. In 2010, yosemite officials instituted a permit system for the hike. Yosemite day hike tours, yosemite hiking guides wildland. A half dome hike is one that should only be attempted when the cables are up and the weather permits. Backpack to little yosemite valley campsite and hike half dome photo. Half dome in yosemite national park is a california icon, and theres more than one way to look at it from the unrounded side, for example. This is footage from our september 4, 2011 hike up half dome in yosemite national park.
Backpack to little yosemite valley campsite and hike half dome. After an epic ski season in utah i left for yosemite national park where briana and i conquered hiking half dome. Hiking half dome at yosemite national park youtube. Learn about the various hiking trails around one of the most wellknown rock formations in yosemite national park, half dome. Most hikers take 10 to 12 hours to hike to half dome and back. Every year, rangers are called to assist hundreds of people on the half dome trail hike and the cables on half dome. Unfortunately, most people dont focus on hip strength when prepping for a hike. A permit is required to hike to half dome seven days per week when the cables are up. Park ranger vickie mates provides an overview of one of yosemites most challenging hikes.
When is the best time to climb half dome in yosemite. If you plan on doing the day hike, it is a grueling, dangerous venture to reach the top. Quick questions about gear for hiking half dome with the. The half dome cable route hike runs from the valley floor to the top of the dome in 8. Although it is known to be a very challenging hike, it is also a popular one, meaning the trails are busy all through the summer. Rather, it is a supplement to all the other accounts found online. Half dome is a rock formation that rises up at yosemite national park in california. The hike to the summit of 8,842 feet half dome is one of the most popular hikes in the park and a lifelong goal for many. Safety equipment for hiking half dome alpine escape. Day hikers may 2 and may 22 must apply for a twodayinadvance permit. We cant speak from experience here since we had permits and didnt witness anyone on the trail doing this. The sierra nevada mountain range, clear alpine lakes and meadows carpeted with wildflowers provide the perfect backdrop for our epic. Dec 04, 2019 what follows is a photographic guide to the climb, spotlighting all of the main points of interest you will pass on your trip. Angels landing in zion national park and half dome in yosemite national park.
Its a 14 to 16mile roundtrip day hike, which is not for beginners. Jan 31, 2011 park ranger vickie mates provides an overview of one of yosemites most challenging hikes. Thg podcast episode 5 bryan riddle by that hiking guy. Id go for late september early october, but definitely after labor day when it gets less crowded. You can apply for permits to hike yosemites half dome between march 1 31. View this description of the half dome hike and how you can be best prepared to complete it 9. Cables up half dome mostly clear, with only about a 6ft section buried near the top stick to the right cable, left side has more snow. To hike yosemites half dome in a day, you need a permit, mild weather and an early start by dawn, usually. Yosemite half dome hike video from youtube southern. There have been more than 20 deaths on half dome itself, and if you count the trail leading up to half dome, the number leaps to more than 60. For instance, if you havent reached the top of half dome by 3. All applications are stuck in a bag, and a monkey pulls out the winners in april. Our yosemite day hike tours are designed to deliver onceinalifetime sights at every turn.
Word on the street trail is that since most people get four permits and they dont always use all four, you can wait at a permit checkpoint to see if you can join a group. Half dome is a granite dome at the eastern end of yosemite valley in yosemite national park. Comparing zions angels landing to yosemites half dome. I spent 2 days solo hiking 20 miles on the half dome trail in yosemite download my trail map. In 2008, backpacker magazine named half dome one of the top 10 most dangerous hikes in america.
If your goal is to climb half dome, i recommend climbing it in one day and not camping at the little yosemite valley camp site. It talks about what you need, hazards and things you need to watch out for. Half dome hiking trail, yosemite valley, california. Half dome has inspired many people to take up hiking, climbing, and has even seen base jumpers see red tape section below and snowboarders take off from its summit. Before arriving at our final destination, well spend a spectacular day on the trails. The trail to half dome from yosemite valley is an extremely strenuous hike covering over 17 miles.
This is my first video and im really new to editing. The end of 2000 saw the first two snowboard descents of half dome s east side by jim zellers. A maximum of 300 people are allowed about 225 day hikers and 75 backpackers each day on the half dome trail beyond the base of the subdome. Netflix offering more than 20 hours of free tv on youtube. Yosemites searchandrescue team responds to dozens of accidents along the trail each year, and the half dome cables have been responsible for the deaths of six hikers since 1919. Most people take 10 to 12 hours to hike to half dome and back.
Go to out yosemite s half dome day hike page to learn more about the trail and the cables. But it will all be worth it when you see the sunrise over the grandeur of the granite dome and you feel the pure elation as you summit the cables, drenched in sweat and victory. This is for two reason, 1 hiking with a day pack is much more enjoyable than hiking with a gear filled overnight pack, and 2 camping in little yosemite valley isnt really that nice of a camp spot. If youve been thinking about hiking half dome its worth checking out the video first. The biggest danger is not dehydration or even heat stroke, but the biggest danger is lightning. Half dome permits are very competitive, and we arent always successful getting permits for our scheduled trips we know 5. Hiking half dome, yosemite national park, usa in 4k.