Half Dome: Know Before You Go

My inside look into hiking Half Dome, and advice on what you need to know before you go.

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[InsatiableExplorer]

Planning my first trip for next year; I've got some getting-in-shape to do before I hike the dome given that I found the hike to Misty Trail last year to be a more exerting than I expected.

Question though...from the valley floor to the cables, how many hours of hiking is it?

[aestrada86]

Sorry for such a late reply, grad school has me busy all the time.

The time it takes to get to the cables is hugely variable on how fast a person hikes. I know folks who get to the cables in 2 hours and I know folks who get to the cables in 7. The important thing to know is that it is about 8 miles with an elevation gain of about 4500 ft. As reference, the worlds tallest building is 2,717 ft.

[garret leshinskie]

i want to go hiking here can some tell me how hard it is to hike the half dome cables? please

[aestrada86]

It typically takes about 12 hours of serious hiking over about 14 miles. Hard is fairly relative, for experienced mountaineers and hikers with excellent physical fitness it is a nice long hike. For inexperienced hikers who haven't been at altitude it can be extremely challenging day long hike.

[Vanesa Vidal]

@aestrada86 QUESTION: So when is the best time to go to get clear skies on top of the Dome? I know it varies, but when is there more chance of clear skies? Thanks a lot!!

[aestrada86]

Sorry for such a long delay to your question. Summer days are usually clear in the morning with rain and bad weather coming in during the noon to 5 block of time. Getting up in the morning is the best. Its always important to continuously check the weather and turn around if you see big clouds building up.

[Rick C]

BOOO the permits. NPS should just install a 3 rd cable - separate up / down. bring sturdy gloves, a large strong carabiner, and maybe 15 ft of 5/ 16 nylon rope ( quality, not clothesline) incase nerves get shaky. BOOO permits.

[MegaBtm]

Can you do an instructional video on how crossing the street is scary? Geez.

[joyce cory]

Excellent presentation and need advise. Wish viewing your vid was mandatory for people climbing Half Dome.

[Paillaaaaard]

omg, and my dad wanted to go on a family holiday to trek up this. fuck off dad.

[Edgar Anolin]

Where is it?

[RoboKid360]

I was trying for ever to figure out the song's name at 1:35. can some one please tell me the name? ;) nice video by the way

[Ryan125y]

It all depends, if you want to take your take, enjoy the sites, and chat with friends, the entire trip is about 12 hours, 6 up and 6 down, that was with two long meal breaks and we spent about an hour on the top

[shinypenny]

There are no more days of 600 people on the cables. They now only issue 350 permits per day. 225 for day hikes, 75 overnight hikers, 50 daily lottery.