This Half Dome hike guide gives permits, route, season, gear, and safety in one place.
Half Dome towers over Yosemite Valley and draws fit walkers who want a long day with big views. This guide lays out the route, permits, ideal season, water, gear, and real risks so you can plan well and hike with calm.
Quick Stats And Route Choices
The classic path starts at Happy Isles, climbs past Vernal and Nevada Falls, crosses Little Yosemite Valley, and finishes on the steep cable route to the summit. Start early, carry enough water, and pace for a 10–14 hour day.
| Route | Round-Trip Miles | Elevation Gain |
|---|---|---|
| Mist Trail Out/Back | 14–16 | ~4,800–5,000 ft |
| John Muir Trail One Way | 16–17 | ~4,800–5,000 ft |
| Backpacker From Little Yosemite Valley | ~7 from LYV | ~2,700–3,000 ft |
Half Dome Hiking Guide For Yosemite: Permits And Plan
You need a permit when the cables are up. The park runs a preseason lottery in spring and a daily lottery two days in advance for no-shows and returned spots. Read the permit rules for full details. If you camp at Little Yosemite Valley, a valid wilderness permit with the Half Dome stamp covers the ascent on your trip date.
How The Cable Season Works
The cables usually go up near Memorial Day and come down in October. Dates shift with snow, storms, and staffing. The rock turns slick when wet, so a dry forecast is part of a go/no-go call.
Pick A Start Time And Pace
Most hikers begin between 4:00 and 6:00 a.m. to reach the subdome before midday heat and to beat crowd waves. Keep breaks short, sip often, eat early, and give yourself a hard turnaround time so you are off the cables well before dark.
Step-By-Step: From Valley Floor To Summit
Happy Isles To Vernal Fall
From the trailhead, the grade ramps up quickly. Mist from the falls can drench stone steps. A light shell keeps you warm once you leave the spray and breeze picks up.
Nevada Fall To Little Yosemite Valley
Past the top of Nevada Fall the path eases through pines. This is a good place to eat, refill from the river with a filter, and check legs and time.
Subdome Stairs
The final switchbacks on the subdome are steep, narrow, and sun-baked. Rangers sometimes check permits here. Slow, steady steps help keep heart rate even for the push to the cables.
The Cables
The last 400 vertical feet follow twin cables over smooth granite. Grip each section, rest at posts, and give space to hikers coming down. If winds rise or clouds build, retreat. Wet rock makes slips far more likely.
Water, Food, And Fuel
Plan on 4–6 liters per person in warm months. Reliable refill points sit along the Merced River near the bridges, above Vernal Fall, and through Little Yosemite Valley. Treat or filter every drop. Pack salty snacks, simple carbs, and a real lunch. Small sips beat long gaps.
Training For The Big Day
Build weekly hikes that stack 3,000–4,000 feet of gain with a loaded pack. Add stair climbs, squats, lunges, and calf work. Practice steady downhill form; tired quads on the return create most stumbles.
Season, Weather, And Daylight
Late May through early October is the usual window while the cables are in place. Shoulder weeks can be cold at dawn and hot by noon. Summer monsoon cells can form quickly; an early start helps you miss afternoon risk. Always recheck the park forecast the night before.
Gear That Earns Its Place
Footwear
Pick broken-in boots or grippy trail shoes. High-cut models steady ankles on granite steps and talus. Fresh socks help prevent hot spots.
Hands
Many hikers wear grippy gloves for the cable section. Pack them out; do not leave them on the slope or at posts.
Pack List
Carry a headlamp with spare cells, 2–3 liters to start, a filter, light shell, sun hat, sunscreen, first aid, blister kit, map or GPX, and a small emergency bivy. Trekking poles help on the long descent.
Safety: Real Risks And Clear Calls
Lightning on the dome kills. If you hear thunder, drop below treeline fast; wait well away from cables and the summit cap. Wet slab is slick; if rock looks shiny, do not climb. Strong winds can push you off balance on the upper slope.
Heat, dehydration, and cramps knock out more hikers than anything else. Drink on a schedule, add electrolytes, and keep moving at a chat pace. If a partner looks off—stops eating, stops talking, or drifts—turn around.
Falling rock is rare but possible near the subdome. Keep helmets in the pack if you like; put them on where others pause under walls.
Navigation Basics
From Happy Isles, signs mark Mist Trail and John Muir Trail. Both lead past the falls to Little Yosemite Valley. A GPX track plus a paper map gives two layers in case a battery dies. In the dark, watch for junctions near bridges and splits.
Leave No Trace On A Busy Classic
Stay on stone steps and signed paths, pack out food and gloves, and use restrooms at the bridges. If nature calls later, go 200 feet from water and bury waste six inches deep.
When A Permit Is Hard To Get
If you miss the preseason window, try the daily lottery two days ahead of your target hike. Flexibility helps; midweek dates and shoulder-season days see fewer entries. Another path is a wilderness itinerary that stays at Little Yosemite Valley with the Half Dome stamp.
Monthly Planner: What To Expect
Conditions shift across the season. Use this snapshot to pick a date that matches your comfort with heat, crowds, and daylight.
| Month | Typical Conditions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Late May | Cool dawns, snow patches linger | Cables may open; cold water crossings possible |
| June | Mild mornings, rising temps | Long days; waterfalls peak early |
| July | Hot afternoons, big crowds | Start extra early; carry max water |
| August | Hot, chance of afternoon cells | Watch sky; turn back at first thunder |
| September | Warm days, cool nights | Sweet spot for many hikers |
| Early October | Shorter days, chilly wind | Last weeks before cable removal |
Sample Itineraries
Day Hike, Strong Pace
2:45 a.m. wake, 3:30 a.m. park, 4:30 a.m. trailhead. Vernal at dawn, Nevada at sunrise, Little Yosemite Valley mid-morning, summit before noon, off cables by early afternoon, valley by sunset.
Backpack With A Camp Night
Day 1: Hike to Little Yosemite Valley, set camp, rest. Day 2: Pre-dawn ascent, back to camp before the heat, then pack out.
Logistics: Getting There, Parking, And Shuttles
Trailhead access starts near Curry Village. Parking fills fast in peak months. Arrive in the dark, use bear-safe food storage, and remove all scented items from your car. When shuttles run, stops near Happy Isles shorten the walk to the bridge.
Respect Closures And Current Alerts
Rangers post updates on trail work, cable status, and weather. Check the park’s Half Dome day hike page the day before you go, and again before you leave the car. Plans change; a safe retreat means you can return for a clear day.
Why This Hike Stays Worth The Work
Granite steps, dawn mist, pine scent, and a vast summit view—few day hikes pack this much variety. Plan well, move steady, and treat the place with care. You will earn every mile.
Permit Steps, Timing, And Tips
Create a Recreation.gov account, add group names, and pick a date window. In spring, choose midweek options to boost odds. Missed out? Use the daily lottery two days before your hike; apply by morning and check mid-day results.
Carry a photo ID. A ranger may scan permits near the subdome. If one person holds the permit, that person must be present. No transfers. Save an offline PDF in case cell service drops.
Read the official permit rules on the park site before you apply; the rules explain season dates, fees, and the daily lottery process. The park also posts cable status and safety notes for wet slab, high wind, and lightning days.
Cable Etiquette And Crowd Flow
On the slab, uphill traffic yields to downhill traffic when space is tight. Rest only at posts so others can pass. Keep both hands on the line, one rung at a time, and avoid clipping yourself to the cable; slings can jam and block the route. If someone behind you needs to pass, step to the side at a post and wave them through.
What If The Cables Are Down?
When the metal rails are not installed, the upper route turns into a technical climb. Do not try to ascend the bare slab without full climbing skills and gear. Winter brings ice, snow, and short days. If you reach the subdome and find the route closed, enjoy the views and head back with daylight to spare.
Wildlife, Food, And Trash
Ravens and squirrels raid open packs at viewpoints. Zip bags before you take photos. Black bears roam the valley and Little Yosemite Valley. Keep food in hand or on your back; never stash it under a rock. Backpackers must carry an approved bear canister for all scented items inside wilderness zones.
Sample Packing List By Category
Water system: bottles or a bladder plus a filter. Sun kit: brimmed hat, UV shirt, sunglasses, lip balm. Warmth: light fleece and a shell. Hands: grippy gloves. Feet: boots or trail shoes, spare socks, tape. Light: headlamp and spare cells. Safety: small first aid kit, blister care, small knife or shears, emergency bivy, whistle. Nav: map, GPX, and a tiny power bank. Food: 2,500–3,500 calories of bars, wraps, nuts, and chews.