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Recently, there's been a troubling spike in emergency incidents and if hikers don't step up their game, more people are going to get hurt or worse. Fortunately, you're reading the ultimate, cut the crap guide to hiking Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. Here you'll find everything you need to hike to this iconic summit including crucial permit information information, training, trailheads, tips and far and away the best videos of the trail to be found anywhere. Enjoy, and stay safe out there! The absolute best video guide to hiking Yosemite's Half Dome. The trek to the summit of Half Dome is easily Yosemite's most famous trail, and consistently listed as one of the "best" and/or "most dangerous hikes" in the world. Or as one writer for National Geographic put it “the hike you’ll talk about as all others fade into pleasant memories.” While that's a bit hyperbolic, those who have made it to the summit will tell you, Half Dome is special and offers hikers a unique and iconic experience. Just make sure you're ready. Preparation“One does not simply [hike Half Dome]”. Due to the trail’s difficulty and popularity, successfully reaching the summit requires more planning and foresight than just throwing some snacks into a backpack and lacing up your hiking boots. Red Tape Crowd pressures, coupled with trail limitations, safety concerns and the Park Service’s charge to preserve and protect Yosemite landscape has given rise to a sometimes controversial permit system. Without a permit, you will not be permitted past the base of the subdome between May and November where park rangers check permits and IDs. Ascending the subdome and cables without a valid permit can result in a fine of $5000 and even jail time. Without a permit, your dream of reaching the summit will remain exactly that. So, Item number one on your to do-list is to apply for a permit (day and overnight options available).  Ascending the Half Dome Cables. How to apply for a permit During the peak season (generally between Memorial Day and the second Monday in October), “a maximum of 300 hikers per day are allowed” access to the subdome, cables and summit. These permits are split between day hikers (225) and backpackers (75). Plan ahead and decide if you’d like a day permit or an overnight wilderness permit. To improve your chances, avoid weekends and holidays if at all possible; and if your schedule allows, apply for a range of days rather than a single day. If your schedule is flexible you’ll greatly improve your chances of scoring a permit. For a breakdown of days with more favorable odds, click here. Day hike permits (lottery only) To apply for the day hike permit lottery go to recreation.gov between March 1st and March 31st, submit your application for a maximum number of six day-hiking permits and pay the $10 non-refundable application fee. Only one application per person is allowed, “additional applications will be voided without refund”. You'll recieve an email in mid-April with lottery results. Backup: Depending on the number of remaining or canceled permits, around fifty day-hike permits will be distributed via a daily lottery during peak season. If you draw a zero from the March pre-season lottery, you may apply for the daily lottery at recreation.gov. (Important) Daily lottery applications must be submitted two days before your intended hike date. Hiking to summit during the offseason is allowed without a permit. But, if attempting a pre or post season ascent, be advised that the cables will be “down”, meaning the steel posts have been removed. This makes the ascent more difficult and dangerous. Addition climbing gear and mountaineering experience is strongly recommended.  Wilderness or Backpacking Permit Reservations (lottery/first come) Applications for wilderness permit reservations are accepted beginning 24 weeks before your intended start date and are submitted through recreation.gov. Forty percent of wilderness reservations are held in reserve and become available seven days before the intended start date (Your application must be completed three days before your intended start date. Any left over wilderness permits are available on a first come first serve basis. But few if any permits will be available on any given day. If you wish to summit Half Dome as part of your backpacking itinerary, you must request the addition of a Half Dome specific permit to your wilderness permit. This can be done when applying for your wilderness permit, or when picking up your backcountry permit at the wilderness office. An additional $10 fee separate from your wilderness reservation fee will be added for each Half Dome permit issued. In order to add a Half Dome permit to your overnight wilderness permit, you must begin your trek at one of seven trailheads. All three trailheads highlighted in this guide are included on that list. Unlike day hike permits which are only valid for a single specified day, wilderness permit holders who have added a Half Dome permit may access the cables and summit on any date listed on their wilderness reservation permit. This offers backpackers additional flexibility. For more details click here: www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdwildpermits.htm DifficultyDifficulty is a relative concept which varies drastically from one hiker to the next depending upon both fitness and hiking experience. That being said, even veteran hikers can find themselves in distress when ascending or descending Half Dome. Do not underestimate this hike. At 14 or more miles round trip, and a minimum of 4800 ft of ascent, Half Dome is considered the most strenuous day hike in vicinity of Yosemite Valley. DO NOT attempt this hike without sufficient physical preparation or inadequate gear and seriously consider consulting a physician before attempting. Mere mortals will require 10 or more hours to complete the shortest route (Yosemite Valley via The Mist Trail). Begin your hike early in the morning (possibly well before sunrise) and plan on finishing in the evening. Whether you're planning on completing the whole trek in one day or as an over-night excursion a flashlight and/or headlamp should without question be included with your gear. Record runoff on the Mist Trail in 2023. You've never seen a Mist Trail video like this. SafetySince 1930, the Mist Trail to Half Dome Route has claimed more than 60 lives. This is an especially hazardous trail for inattentive or foolhardy hikers and for obvious reasons. While the permit system, implemented in 2010, has reduced crowds on the subdome and cables by 66% there has been no corresponding drop in injuries and deaths. Water: Second only to car accidents, water hazards are Yosemite’s leading killers. The jaw-dropping waterfalls that punctuate Yosemite’s dream-like landscape have and will continue to remorselessly and brutally punished visitors who fail to exercise caution near whitewater and waterfalls. The Mist Trail alone keeps Yosemite Search and Rescue busy, responding to an average of 100 incidents a year. Take deliberate steps, wear quality hiking shoes, with good traction and ankle support, and exercise extreme caution near rivers and waterfalls — especially during spring and summer runoff. Tennis shoes are not appropriate. Just days before my wife and I made this trek in 2017, a local jogger slipped and fell along a portion of The Mist Trail and disappeared into the raging torrent beneath. A week later The Park Service was still looking for his body. Lives are lost every year because hikers fail to take the proper safety measures or become complacent near Yosemite’s rivers and waterfalls. You cannot swim in highly oxygenated whitewater. Weather: Daytime temperatures regularly reached 90+ Degrees Fahrenheit. Travel smart and intelligently manage your fuel and water intake throughout the day. You can learn more about water and fuel management by watching my rim to rim video series by clicking here: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdRPR_VkYdYV9X-jOplYQG8duciJZIF4W. Travel when possible in the morning or evening hours to beat the heat during the hot summer months. That being said, due to the time needed to complete this trail (10+ hours) plan on hiking in hot conditions if visiting in the summer. Water features can offer some relief from the heat, but as mentioned above they can also be quite dangerous. Use good judgment and err on the side of caution. Adults should drink one gallon (4 liters) of water when hiking Half Dome. The last reliable filterable water is located along the Merced River in Little Yosemite Valley near the backpackers' campground. Do not proceed past this point without enough water for everyone in your party. Switching now from hot to cold, early mornings along The Mist Trail can be extremely frigid. Even on warm days The Mist Trails ice-cold namesake is impossible to avoid during peak runoff. Bring a jacket and waterproof layer or take the detour along the John Muir Trail to keep dry. If you feel your core temperature drop and you can’t warm up in the sun, keep moving. Without external warmth, you’ll need to generate your own. As always, your best option is to be prepared. Finally (as far as weather is concerned), remain aware of potential storm systems – especially when near the subdome, cables or summit. Lightning has claimed the lives of numerous individuals and injured many others on Half Dome’s subdome and summit. If stormy conditions are likely, turn back and get to lower elevations quickly. If you see dark clouds or hear thunder, do not take shelter on the summit or the subdome. Start your descent immediately and get to a lower elevation as quickly and safely as possible. Should you find yourself in a dangerous situation, stay calm but move deliberately while remaining aware of changing conditions and potential dangers such as rainfall, which can make granite extremely slippery and result in traffic jams and hazards on the cables and elsewhere along the trail.  View of Half Dome from Glacier Point Drop-offs: The trail to the summit of Half Dome brings you into close proximity to some breathtaking drops. If you are extremely averse to heights, you may want to reconsider attempting to summit Half Dome. Exercise caution near ledges or cliffs. Falls from these dizzying heights are nearly always fatal. For your safety, stay on the trail and help prevent erosion, as well as trail and vegetation damage. WildlifeBlack Bears: Bears are the animal most people think of when it comes to wildlife safety and with good reason. Yosemite National Park has made great strides over the past decades to counter years of poor bear policy and practices. That being said bears represent minimal risk to responsible hikers. Stay aware of your surroundings, store your food properly and hike in groups. If you encounter a bear, do not let it obtain human food and DO NOT RUN. Stand your ground, make noise and group together until the bear leaves. In the extremely unlikely event that a bear does attack, fight back and stay on your feet. Do not play dead. Playing dead is the last resort if attacked by a grizzly bear. Grizzly bears were driven to extinction in California nearly 100 years ago when the last know California Grizzly was shot outside the park in the 1920s. Any bear encounters should be reported to park rangers. (Important note on bear deterrents) Bear spray is not permitted in Yosemite National Park. Firearms are permitted as long as the carrier complies with all federal, state and local laws. “Discharging a firearm for any reason is illegal” within the National Park.  One of three rattlesnakes we encountered near Little Yosemite Valley during our hike up Half Dome in 2017. Rattlesnakes: Yosemite National Park is home to the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake. Although unlikely, it is quite possible to encounter one of these venomous snakes along the trail. If you do encounter a rattlesnake, give it plenty of space. Snakes only strike if they feel threatened. Given space and time, they will move out of the way. Inform any nearby hikers if you spot a rattlesnake near the trail. If you or someone in your party does receive a bite, remain calm. Here’s what to do— and not do: -Call 911 inform the dispatcher of the injury and your location. -Remove any rings, watches or tight clothing near the bite site as swelling will occur. -Gently wash bite and mark with a pen or marker if available and note the time. -Limit motion. Either wait for emergency personnel or carry bite recipient down trail. -If you are by yourself and/or unable to contact emergency personnel, continue at a steady pace to the trailhead. -Do not try to catch the snake. -Do not cut or suck on the bite site. -Do not wrap with a bandage or tourniquet. What’s important is reaching medical help as soon as possible. (Note) Roughly 25% of rattlesnake bites are "dry bites", meaning no venom is injected. Symptoms of envenomation include pain, burning, nausea, muscle twitches, swelling, and damaged tissue. Even if you don't immediately experience these symptoms you should still seek medical attention. Squirrels, marmots, chipmunks, etc: As strange as it may sound, of all the animals in Yosemite, the creatures most likely to do harm to people are generally seen as the least threatening. Squirrels, chipmunks and other rodents inflict the park’s most recurrent injuries, mostly in the form of bites. But they have also on occasion transmitted diseases such as the plague. It should go without saying, but do not feed, approach or harm any animal within the park. Beyond placing yourself and the animal in danger, you can also be slapped with a hefty fine. When it comes to wildlife, admire them from a distance. Safety is ultimately about situational awareness and appropriate preparation. Hike responsibly and stay safe. View of Half Dome from Glacier Point. Yosemite Valley to the left. Vernal and Nevada Falls (path of The Mist Trail) visible to the right. Routes and Trailheads
The CablesUntil 1875 when George G. Anderson became the first known climber to reach the summit, Half Dome was believed to be “perfectly inaccessible”. — No more. The cables are arguably the trail’s most technical and challenging section and should not be taken lightly. Ascending the final 400 vertical feet at a 50-degree angle along the cables is a full body workout. Make sure to savor the experience, but don’t become complacent in the process, missteps can be and have been deadly. The majority of falls from Half Dome occur along the cables. And the majority of those falls occur when the victim was descending the cables. NBC Nightly News contacted me to discuss the perils of the cable route following the tragic death of Danielle Burnett who slipped and fell in September 2019. I tell you what I told them. This trail is no joke and the granite along the cables is slick and potentially perilous under the best of circumstances. Make double sure your gear is properly secured before ascending or descending the cables. If something falls, you're not getting it back. Given the limited space on the cables and the fact that worn granite and perilous drop-offs are constant companions, it is essential to remain courteous, patient and cautious. Avoid pulling the cables away from the mountain as the steel posts propping them up are not anchored to the mountainside. Do yourself a favor and bring your own well-fitted gloves with good grip. After descending the cables take your gloves with you. Do not leave them at the base of the cables. The use of safety lines while historically popular is currently discouraged by the park service. Having hiked Half Dome before and after this change in guidance, expect traffic to move slower. There are a great many people who attempt to summit Half Dome who are not mentally or physically prepared for the cables, and without an anchor system, traffic often slows to a total stand still. Safety lines definitely slowed traffic before, but now days, anxious hikers are known to freeze and stop traffic completely. This is not the place to make a scene or rush someone who is freaking out. Communicate respectfully, and be encouraging. Patience and respect are ESSENTIAL when on the cables. No exceptions.  Panorama from Summit of Half Dome. North Dome to the left, Clouds rest left-center and Little Yosemite Valley to the right. Other Important InformationBathrooms and Water locations (Yosemite Valley Route): Happy Isle Trailhead (flush toilets, tap water, and plumbing) Vernal Fall Footbridge (pit toilet, last available tap water, and plumbing) Emerald Pool Just above Vernal Fall (pit toilet) Above Nevada Fall (pit toilet) Little Yosemite Valley Backpackers Camp (composting toilets) Bathrooms also available at Glacier Point (Panorama Trail) and Tenaya Lake (Sunrise Trail). If you are unable to reach one of these toilets before (cough)— zero hour, “deposit solid human waste in a cathole dug six inches deep at least 100 feet from water, camp, and trails”, and “cover and disguise the cathole when finished. Pack out all toilet paper (even used), garbage and hygiene products. Why? As stated above: This is an extremely popular trail in one of the world’s most popular parks. Thousands of people from all over the world use these routes every day and any waste or garbage, if not disposed of properly will quickly accumulate and degrade the experience and the landscape for others. Be responsible and preserve the landscape and experience for others. Souvenirs “Take only pictures, leave only footprints.” More than a catchy saying, it’s the law. Removing anything besides lawfully obtained souvenirs from a gift shop, whether rock, plant, animal, artifact, etc… is illegal and carries hefty fines and even jail time. With the exception of garbage, leave everything exactly as you found it. Final SuggestionObtaining any permit for Half Dome is a sweet, sweet deal. However, in my opinion — You simply can't do better than a wilderness permit. Not only do you get to spend one or more nights in the backcountry, but a wilderness permit is valid for any day of your backcountry trip, which gives you flexibility not enjoyed by day hikers.. Too often people treat hiking like a trip through a fast food drive-through. In and out and on their way. Yosemite's backcountry is a banquet for the spirit and the senses — Don't rush it any more than you have to— Savor it. There you have it! You should have all the essential information you need to successfully reach the summit of Half Dome. Did we miss anything? Make sure to come back and share your experience in the comments below along with any tips on how to prepare for Half Dome. Want more?
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