The Half Dome hike is the most epic hike in Yosemite National Park in California, with an exciting and spooky cable section at the end of the trail that takes you to a panoramic view of the entire Yosemite Valley!
Half Dome is usually accessible via the popular Mist Trail, where you can see two large waterfalls, great redwoods and other landscapes along the Merced River. It’s a very difficult and strenuous day hike, so not for everyone, but standing on the Half Dome is such a great achievement if you can do it.
The semi-coupled cable cross-section at the end of the hike is particularly difficult and can be harmful if you are not careful. Permits have been required for the cable section to keep the route safer and less crowded, and these are distributed by lottery.
In this half Dome hiking guide, you’ll learn how to climb it safely, where to find the starting point in Yosemite, how to get Half Dome permits, and everything you need to know before you set off!
Facts coming soon
Distance: 26.5 km round trip
Difference in altitude: 5,300 feet (1,615 m)
Maximum elevation: 8,844 feet (2,695 m)
Duration: 9-12 hours round trip
Difficulty: Difficult
What Is It And Where Is Half Dome?
Half Dome is a granite summit in Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California.
Yosemite Park is located near the center of the state of California, so Fresno, Sacramento, San Francisco and other major cities in the USA, including Las Vegas, Nevada, are just a short drive away.
The park is about 2.5 hours drive from Fresno, 4 hours from San Francisco or 7 hours from Las Vegas.
Half Dome Hike: What to Expect
A typical half dome hike starts with a very early awakening and a long uphill hike via the Mist Trail, another of the most popular hiking trails in Yosemite.
At the end you will reach the semi-coupled cable section, where you will have to climb a steep mountain supported by a series of wire ropes. This exciting rise is what puts Half Dome on the bucket list of many peoples.
The half-dome cable cross-section should not be underestimated. It’s really scary and people have fallen on the cables and died. It’s a pretty safe climb if you’re careful, but I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone.
The following details explain each part of the Half Dome Trail and what to expect. The whole hike is awesome, from start to finish!
* Crap Trail vs John Muir Trail (JMT)
The first decision you need to make is whether you want to hike from the Mist Trail or the John Muir Trail (JMT) to the Half Dome.
Both use the same trail in Yosemite and are practically identical in terms of difficulty, although the scenery is slightly different. The Mist Trail is a little shorter than the John Muir Trail, but a little steeper. The two trails merge at the top of Nevada falls, and then there is only one trail to the Half Dome.
Both routes are beautiful. The most important considerations are crowds, security and landscape. I think it’s best to do the Mist Trail on the way up first (if it’s not that crowded yet) and then go down the less traveled and less slippery John Muir Trail on the way back.
It is safer and more effective, and also gives you a good mix of views and photo strikes.
