Few Yosemite adventures are as rewarding—or as challenging—as trekking to the summit of
Half Dome, that 8,800-foot granite fist internationally known as a symbol of the park’s singular beauty.
The National Park Service
recently announced that the cables that assist in the ascent of Half Dome’s summit will be available beginning Saturday, May 2—significantly earlier than usual, given how low this year’s snowpack is. That means our guests here at Yosemite Scenic Wonders can now tackle
one of the park’s most celebrated hikes—an unforgettable daylong foray into Sierra Nevada wilderness!
Basic Info
Whenever the Half Dome cables are installed, you need a
permit to hike to the mountaintop: The Park Service sets a daily quota for trail-users to safeguard natural resources and the wilderness experience.
This page at the Yosemite National Park website gives a great breakdown of the Half Dome ascent and some of its important considerations. You definitely want to check the updated weather forecast before embarking as well as the given day’s sunset time, as it’s possible—given tougher-than-expected conditions, fatigue, etc.—that you won’t end up being able to complete the hike in one day. If there’s any question about time—and certainly if there’s any indication of hazardous weather or trail conditions—you should turn back.
It’s about 16 miles round-trip, with a whole lot of incredible scenery—not least the sweeping views from the giant granite summit. Those cables help you traverse the ultimate 400 feet. You’ve got to be in decent physical condition to complete the journey, but boy, is it worth it!
Scenic Wonders & Half Dome: An Awesome Combination
From the Yosemite West area where our
Scenic Wonders vacation rentals are situated, it’s an easy (and richly beautiful) 17-mile drive to the main trailhead for Half Dome in the vicinity of Happy Isles.
You’ll love coming home to a cozy fire or a sunset from the patio at your Scenic Wonders cabin after your Half Dome experience. It simply doesn’t get any better than a day spent mountaineering, capped off by an evening at your cottage in the restful woods of Yosemite West!
