Half Dome Day Hike
Day Hike Tours
1 Day 16MI / 26KM
Trip Highlights
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.
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World Famous Summit
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Iconic Waterfalls
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Breathtaking Views
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Exciting Ascent of "The Cables"
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Half Dome Permit Included
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Fascinating History & Interp
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Day Hike Tours -
Trip Length
1 Day -
Daily Hiking Distance
16 miles -
Group Size
Up to 6 Guests
Receive a PDF info packet via email which includes:
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
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.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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What's Included
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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.
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A commitment to make the tour as exciting, challenging, informative, and full as you'd like, and as is possible in a day
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Trail snacks and a picnic lunch
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Use of a top of the line, technical day pack
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Use of trekking poles
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Roundtrip transportation from Mariposa, CA (optional)
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Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Yosemite
What's Not Included (Required)
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Lightweight hiking shoes or hiking boots -
Waterproof rain jacket and pants
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Grippy gloves (for the Cables)
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Warm wool or fleece top
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Water bottles or bladder (4 liters total capacity)
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Sunhat
Trip Logistics & FAQs
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) | ||||||
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Month
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Valleys
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Alpine
|
||||
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hi
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low
|
hi
|
low
|
|||
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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°
|
||
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November
|
58°
|
31°
|
51°
|
29°
|
||
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December
|
48°
|
26°
|
46°
|
25°
|
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