Half Dome, Yosemite

Hiking Half Dome

Yosemite National Park, CA
4.8
Hiking
Mountains
Strenuous

Half Dome is a granite dome at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park, California. It is a well-known rock formation in the park, named for its distinct shape. One side is a sheer face while the other three sides are smooth and round, making it appear like a dome cut in half. The granite crest rises more than 4,737 ft (1,444 m) above the valley floor.

This iconic hike requires a permit, which can be obtained through a lottery system. The trail is approximately 14-16 miles round trip with 4,800 feet of elevation gain. The most famous—and dangerous—part of the hike is the cable route, where hikers ascend the steep granite face using steel cables as handrails.

Details
Map
Environmental
RESPECT
Reviews

Trip Information

  • Duration
    10-12 hours
  • Distance
    14-16 miles round trip
  • Elevation Gain
    4,800 feet
  • Best Time to Visit
    Late May through October

Requirements

  • Permits
    Required for the cable section. Obtained through lottery system.
  • Parking
    Available at trailhead. Park entrance fee required.

Safety Information

Cell Service

Poor to None on most of the trail

Emergency Contacts

Yosemite Emergency Services: (209) 379-1992

Park Rangers: (209) 372-0246

Warnings

  • The cables section is extremely steep and can be dangerous, especially when wet.
  • Lightning is a serious hazard. Do not attempt if storms are in the forecast.
  • Bring at least 4 liters of water per person. There is limited water access on the trail.
  • Bears are active in the area. Use proper food storage.

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Showing Half Dome trail in Yosemite National Park

Location Details

Half Dome Trail

Yosemite National Park, CA 95389

Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 37.7325° N, 119.5581° W

Directions

The trail begins at the Happy Isles Trailhead (shuttle stop #16) in Yosemite Valley. Follow the Mist Trail past Vernal and Nevada Falls, then continue on the John Muir Trail to the Half Dome Trail junction.

Fauna (Animals)

  • Black Bear
    Ursus americanus
  • Mule Deer
    Odocoileus hemionus
  • Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep
    Ovis canadensis sierrae
  • Yellow-bellied Marmot
    Marmota flaviventris
  • Peregrine Falcon
    Falco peregrinus

Flora (Plants)

  • Giant Sequoia
    Sequoiadendron giganteum
  • Sierra Nevada Lodgepole Pine
    Pinus contorta
  • California Black Oak
    Quercus kelloggii
  • Sierra Shooting Star
    Dodecatheon jeffreyi
  • Mountain Pride
    Penstemon newberryi

Funga (Mushrooms)

  • Golden Chanterelle
    Cantharellus cibarius
  • King Bolete
    Boletus edulis
  • Fly Agaric
    Amanita muscaria
  • Western Painted Suillus
    Suillus lakei
  • Witch's Butter
    Tremella mesenterica

Insects

  • Sierra Nevada Butterfly
    Hesperia nevada
  • Western Tiger Swallowtail
    Papilio rutulus
  • California Sister
    Adelpha californica
  • Sierra Cicada
    Okanagana bella
  • Western Carpenter Bee
    Xylocopa californica

Minerals & Geology

Half Dome and much of Yosemite Valley is composed of granite that formed deep underground through the cooling of magma. Over millions of years, uplift and erosion have exposed these granite formations.

  • Granite
    The primary rock type, composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and mica
  • Quartz
    Hard, crystalline mineral that gives granite its durability
  • Feldspar
    Group of rock-forming minerals that make up a large percentage of the Earth's crust
  • Biotite
    Black mica commonly found in granite
  • Hornblende
    Dark amphibole mineral found in some areas of Yosemite's granite

The RESPECT Framework

This adventure incorporates elements of the RESPECT framework to enhance your outdoor experience and foster personal growth.

Root Yourself in Recreation

This challenging hike offers an opportunity to connect with your inner strength and resilience. The physical demands of the trail and the reward of reaching the summit provide a powerful experience of personal achievement.

Suggested Activities:

  • Set personal goals for different sections of the trail
  • Practice mindful hiking, focusing on each step
  • Take moments to pause and appreciate your body's capabilities

Engage Your Senses

Half Dome offers a feast for the senses, from the thundering Mist Trail to the panoramic views from the summit. Engaging fully with these sensory experiences deepens your connection to the natural world.

Sensory Experiences:

  • Feel the mist from Vernal and Nevada Falls
  • Listen for the distinctive call of the Steller's Jay
  • Touch the smooth granite of the dome
  • Smell the fragrant Jeffrey Pines (which smell like vanilla)

Share Your Experience

Reflecting on and sharing your Half Dome journey can help solidify the lessons learned and inspire others to seek their own adventures.

Sharing Opportunities:

  • Journal about your experience at the summit
  • Share photos and stories with the RecreationLeader community
  • Discuss the challenges you overcame with fellow hikers

Pursue Connection to Place

Yosemite Valley has a rich cultural and ecological history. Learning about this history deepens your appreciation for the landscape and your place within it.

Cultural Insights:

  • Learn about the Ahwahnechee people who first inhabited Yosemite Valley
  • Discover the conservation history of Yosemite National Park

Ecological Insights:

  • Observe the different ecological zones as you ascend
  • Notice how plants and animals adapt to the granite environment
★★★★★
4.8 out of 5
(24 reviews)
RL
★★★★★

One of the most incredible hikes I've ever done! The cables section was challenging but so rewarding. The views from the top are absolutely breathtaking. Make sure to start early and bring plenty of water.

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SM
★★★★☆

Amazing hike but definitely strenuous! I was glad I trained for it. The Mist Trail portion was beautiful with the waterfalls. The cables were intimidating at first but manageable with gloves. Took us about 11 hours round trip with plenty of breaks.

RJ
★★★★★

This hike changed my life! The RESPECT framework really enhanced my experience - I took time to engage with all my senses and connect deeply with the place. The cables section is not for the faint of heart, but the park rangers were helpful and the other hikers were supportive. Definitely a bucket list adventure!

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