Region
Highlights
- Half Dome is a massively famous, famously massive granite dome in Yosemite National Park at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley -- possibly Yosemite's most familiar sight.
- The granite crest rises more than 4,737 ft above the Yosemite Valley floor.
- Thousands of hikers reach the broad flat top of Half Dome each year by following an 8.5 mile trail from the valley floor. The trail climbs past Vernal and Nevada Falls and then then with the aid of a pair of steel cables dramatically ascends the final pitch up the peak's steep, smooth granite east face.
- In past years, as many as 1,000 hikers per day have sometimes climbed the cable route on a summer weekend and about 50,000 hikers climb it every year.
- In January, 2010, the National Park Service announced that permits will be required to hike the cable route on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays. The park service cited safety concerns and increased crowding on the route as reasons for the new regulations.
Routes
115 climbs • 14.5 mi • 4,616 ft gain • 10 hr 42 min • Class 3
35 climbs • 15.6 mi • 5,203 ft gain • 10 hr 58 min • Class 3
3 climbs • 15.6 mi • 4,892 ft gain • 13 hr 46 min
2 climbs • 14.1 mi • 4,741 ft gain • 9 hr 9 min
2 climbs • 15.0 mi • 5,741 ft gain • 11 hr 20 min
Latest climbs
"What an incredible hike! We started early, around 4:30 am, to make the most of the day. If you're tackling the Mist Trail up and Muir Trail down, definitely bring a rain jacket or a change of clothes — you'll get wet on the Mist Trail.
I found it helpful to mentally break the hike into sections:
Trailhead
Vernal Falls – lots of steep, wet steps!
Nevada Falls – the last bathroom stop.
Little Yosemite Valley – the final chance to filter water from the Merced River.
Subdome – more challenging than the cables, with steep switchbacks and limited shade, but small rest stops under rocks.
Cables – bring a climbing harness, via ferrata set, and gloves — they’ll make the final push much easier!
I didn’t have a permit, but after trying the lottery and not getting lucky, I hiked to Subdome and politely asked fellow hikers if they had an extra spot. It took about an hour, but I finally got on someone’s permit. If you're having trouble with permits, don’t worry — with a little patience and a friendly ask, you’ll likely find a spot!" — BrotherGoldenHair • Jun 24, 2024
"Hiked up on our final day of the JMT nobo. We were camped near the junction so started around sunrise and reached the cables well before crowds arrived. There was only one other person on the cables above us, and he was an awesome guy. So much fun climbing up there, hung out at the top for nearly an hour enjoying the incredible views of Yosemite on a beautiful clear morning." — jodola • Aug 26, 2021
"Winter attempt and first time in Yosemite. Had a blast climbing the snow and ice covering the trails. Far too much snow once I neared the top so I decided not to get any further. Next time attempt will be from one of the rock climbing routes on the face. " — MikeERodriguez • Feb 18, 2021
"A lovely trip up Half Dome. The Mist Trail is gorgeous going up. It's a bit of a slog after Little Yosemite Valley without much to see. The cables are a fun adventure, but not as hard as you might imagine. I think most fit teens or adults could make it up and down unless they're acrophobic." — sareine • Jun 20, 2020
"A long day but great adventure. We got to the Snake Dike Start early but were the third party in line. Amazing climb although I would agree with most that it was a bit run out." — Birddog • Oct 8, 2019
"My first time in Yosemite! Started my watch in Curry Village. Hiked Mist Trail going there and took the JMT going back. 18 miles and 5,249 feet of elevation gain. Started at 6 am and got to the sub-Dome at 10:30 am and it took about 25 minutes to get up the cables and about 25 minutes to get back down the cables. What a blast! August 10, 2019. " — runningvegan • Aug 10, 2019
"Left 5AM with a group of 11 hikers. Reached the base of Half Dome around 12 noon. Climbed the cables to the top. Was on top of Half Dome for ~ 10 minutes when thunderclouds appeared and coaxed us down. Still worth it." — wim-de-groot • Sep 4, 2018
"Another go at Half Dome as part of a southbound JMT. Climbing by sunrise and had the mountain practically to ourselves this time.
Really hoping to Snake Dyke this one next time." — JustinB • Jul 24, 2018
"California. Came from Tenaya Lake and passed Clouds Rest. We did not have permit but got very lucky. A group of 5 russians from LA had a regular permit for 6, one of their friends got way behind and they did not want to wait for her. We both could accompany them. :-) Cables were steeper than I thought! Squirrels at the top. Foggy because of forest fires." — Pieter • Aug 27, 2017
"Climbed the 5.7 R pitch up snake dike then the 1000 ft scramble to the top with Nate Kemp and ClimberSteve. Went down the cables that are currently down with a via ferrata style setup then took the long 12 or so mile hike back to the valley. Started 3:15 am finished in time for beer at the valley 9:50pm" — wmitchell • May 19, 2017
Photos
Awards
Challenges
About peakery awards
Log climbs on peakery to earn awards:
Peak Badges: Earn a special badge for each unique peak you summit. See all of your badges on your Badges page.
First Ascent Award: Only 1 available per peak. Goes to the first peakery member to log a successful summit of a peak. Snag this award and the peak will forever bear your name.
King of the Mountain Award: Only 1 available per peak. Summit a peak more times than any other member. Beware: this award can be lost!
Summit Steward: Summit a peak at least 5 times to become one of its Summit Stewards. As Steward of a peak, you’re encouraged to keep that peak’s info up-to-date on peakery and spread goodwill on your future climbs up the peak.