Half Dome Day Hike
Yosemite Valley, CA
Trip Highlights
- World Famous Summit
- Iconic Waterfalls
- Breathtaking Views
- Exciting Ascent of "The Cables"
- Half Dome Permit Included
- Fascinating History & Interp
Description
Half Dome is one of the most famous hikes in the American West and justifiably so! Starting in spectacular Yosemite Valley, we’ll follow the John Muir Trail past spectacular waterfalls up to majestic Little Yosemite Valley and the backside of Half Dome. Our climb of this world-renowned monolith takes us up the “cables” route, which requires ascending a steep granite slab with cables and horizontal boards placed for safety. Once atop Half Dome we’ll savor one of the best – and most deserved – views in any of America’s national parks. We’ll soak up the scenery over a picnic lunch before descending and returning the way we came. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to hike Half Dome with the experts!
Summiting Half Dome is not guaranteed. If conditions make the ascent too dangerous (lightning, rain, snow…etc.), your guide may make the decision to turn around or pursue a different hike. To ensure those who are capable can reach the summit, we may also ask struggling guests to relax and wait for us on the return hike.
Please Note: In accordance with Park Service regulations and in the pursuit of wilderness values, Wildland Trekking’s primary goal in executing a Half Dome summit trip is to provide an educational and interpretive experience in the areas of wilderness travel and natural history. Topics may include equipment selection, navigation, wilderness first aid, travel and camping skills, and the geology, biology and zoology of the Sierra Nevada. All trips will adhere to the fundamentals of Leave No Trace with the primary focus being fun, safety, and comfort.
$395 Per Person
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 5
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This hike is extremely strenuous. We hike 16 total miles, with nearly 5,000 feet of elevation gain and loss. To reach the top of Half Dome, we must ascend “the cables” which is an extremely steep section with fixed metal cables to assist our climb. Climbing The Cables is not mandatory to do this hike, but it is required to reach to the summit of Half Dome. Important: we may ask struggling guests to sit out the Cables section, or to sit and wait for the group on our return hike.
Hiking Distances:
16 miles
Backpack Weight:
15-25 pounds
Terrain:
Moderate
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
4800 feet
Heights Exposure:
Extreme
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 15-25 lb backpack for 12-16 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain (well-traveled and maintained trail with steep uphill sections)
- Ascending the 400′ tall “cables” section with extreme heights exposure and required upper body strength
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
- Level 1: around other hikers the entire time
- Level 2: around other hikers most of the time
- Level 3: around other hikers some of the time
- Level 4: see a couple other groups during the hike
- Level 5: most likely to have the trail to ourselves
This day hike can be booked as a private tour. Please call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) or email us to learn more!
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Itinerary
- Hiking Distance: 16 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 4800 feet
You will meet your guide and group in Curry Village at 5:00 AM (we can also provide transportation from Mariposa, CA). After a quick orientation and issuing of backpacks and trekking poles, we’ll hit the trail! Our hike takes us up a national park road for one mile, then we’ll turn uphill on the Mist Trail and begin our ascent. Passing by two of Yosemite’s most famous waterfalls, Vernal and Nevada Falls, we’ll continue up and up to Little Yosemite Valley along the Merced River. We’ll stop here for a tasty breakfast prepared by your guide.
After breakfast, we’ll continue through the valley and make our way up to the “Sub-dome,” which lies beneath Half Dome. Your guide will give a safety talk, and then we’ll ascend the cables. At the top of Half Dome, we’ll appreciate the views and snap some pictures before descending down the cables. We’ll stop again at Little Yosemite Valley, this time for a lunch prepared by your guide. After lunch we’ll continue our descent on the John Muir Trail, enjoying different views than the hike up. Eventually we’ll finish at the same trailhead we started from 12-16 hours earlier. What an adventure!
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
We secure Half Dome permits in early April, and until then do not know which dates we will receive. Contact us to join a waitlist, and we’ll notify once we have our dates!
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
- A commitment to make the tour as exciting, challenging, informative, and full as you’d like, and as is possible in a day
- Trail snacks and a picnic lunch
- Use of a top of the line, technical day pack
- Use of trekking poles
- Roundtrip transportation from Mariposa, CA (optional)
- Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Yosemite
What's Not Included (Required)
- Lightweight hiking shoes or hiking boots
- Waterproof rain jacket and pants
- Grippy gloves (for the Cables)
- Warm wool or fleece top
- Water bottles or bladder (4 liters total capacity)
- Sunhat
What's Not Included (Recommended)
- Approach shoes with sticky rubber
- A cold or frozen bottle of water or Gatorade
- Sunglasses
- Knee braces (if needed)
- Sunscreen
- Camera
- Gratuity for your guide
Food: What to Expect
Day hike tours include energizing trail snacks and a delicious picnic lunch. Your guide will customize the food for your hike, but a typical lunch consists of gourmet sandwiches or wraps, fruit, veggies, chips, drinks and a dessert. On wintery or cold days you may be treated to soup or a hot, freshly cooked lunch (if you’d prefer a hot meal, please let us know!)
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Trip Logistics
Where Do We Meet?
This hike meets at the Little Isles Trailhead at 5:00 AM. We can also pick you up and provide transportation if you’re staying in Mariposa, CA. Your guide will contact you approximately 7 days before your hike to coordinate the exact time and location of your rendezvous.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 16 and older to join scheduled tours
- 12 and older to join private tours, with final approval on a case by case basis
Weather in the Sierras
Being a high mountain environment, the Sierra Nevada Mountains are prone to sudden temperature and weather shifts. This is an exciting aspect of being in the mountains. On trips in June, snow is a possibility, and the rest of the summer rain is always a possibility on your trip. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet when you register). See below for average summer temperatures:
| Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit) | ||||||
|
Month
|
Valleys
|
Alpine
|
||||
|
hi
|
low
|
hi
|
low
|
|||
|
January
|
49°
|
26°
|
45°
|
25°
|
||
|
February
|
55°
|
28°
|
46°
|
26°
|
||
|
March
|
59°
|
31°
|
48°
|
27°
|
||
|
April
|
65°
|
35°
|
54°
|
30°
|
||
|
May
|
73°
|
42°
|
62°
|
37°
|
||
|
June
|
81°
|
51°
|
71°
|
46°
|
||
|
July
|
89°
|
57°
|
77°
|
50°
|
||
|
August
|
89°
|
56°
|
81°
|
53°
|
||
|
September
|
82°
|
51°
|
71°
|
46°
|
||
|
October
|
74°
|
39°
|
62°
|
37°
|
||
|
November
|
58°
|
31°
|
51°
|
29°
|
||
|
December
|
48°
|
26°
|
46°
|
25°
|
||
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