How Many People Can Use A Half Dome Hike Permit?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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A maximum of 300 hikers

are allowed (about 225 day hikers and 75 backpackers) each day on the Half Dome Trail beyond the base of the subdome.

Do you need a permit to climb Half Dome?

If you plan to hike Half Dome,

you must have a permit

. For day hikers, permits are available by lottery in March, with a limited number available two days in advance. Backpackers, including those who want to camp in Little Yosemite Valley, should request a Half Dome permit with their wilderness permit.

Can the average person hike Half Dome?

You Can Hike Half Dome in a Day


Many people hike Half Dome in one day, but it is not recommended without proper training

. The first thing to consider, is getting a permit for a day hike. There are 225 day hiking permits available each day and they are granted by lottery.

Has anyone fallen off Half Dome?


13 people have died scaling Half Dome since the national park was established

, and there have been around 300 accidents there, as the Chronicle notes. And many of those accidents have involved the smooth granite portion near the top of the cliff edge where Thursday’s accident occurred.

How hard is the Half Dome hike?

Discover Half Dome Hike

The trail to Half Dome from Yosemite Valley is an

extremely strenuous

hike covering over 17 miles. Hikers gain 4,800 feet of elevation along the trail that passes highlights such as Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall, before reaching the cables on Half Dome’s steep granite domes.

Are you allowed to hike Half Dome without cables?

Yes, but according to the official Yosemite website as of August 2016, “

The National Park Service strongly discourages hikers from attempting the cable route when the cables are down

.” Hikers shouldn’t attempt Half Dome without the protective handrails: The route is steep and exposed, and attempting it without the …

Is Half Dome El Capitan?


El Capitan in Yosemite National Park

rises nearly 3,600 feet above the valley floor (7,500 feet above sea level) making it one of the most prominent features in the park. One of the largest exposed pieces of granite in the world, this behemoth attracts rock climbers from aroundthe world.

How much does it cost to hike Half Dome?

If you’re hankering to hike up Half Dome this summer, be prepared to pay a bit more. It now will cost you

$20 for permits to use the trail lined with metal cables that lead to the 8,800-foot summit

, according to a Yosemite National Park news release.

Which is scarier Half Dome or Angels Landing?

I’ve hiked both trails, and must admit the final stretch to the summit of

Half Dome

is scarier and, indeed, very likely more dangerous than the trail up Angels Landing. Nowhere on Angels Landing does the trail head up a 600-foot stretch of slick granite that at points reaches a 45-degree angle.

Is hiking Half Dome scary?

It is completely fine to turn back as

this is a genuinely scary section of hiking

. It is far worse than anything we’ve ever seen in a decade of hiking around the world (Angels Landing has nothing on Half Dome). So if you’re not sure, just go and see it for yourself!

Is Half Dome considered a mountain?

Half Dome Mountain type Granite dome Climbing First ascent 1875 by George G. Anderson Easiest route Cable route

Have people died climbing the Half Dome?


Since 2005, there have been at least 13 deaths

, 291 accidents and 140 search-and-rescue missions on Half Dome (2010 data not included). Before 2010, up to 1,200 people per day attempted the climb.

How many people have died on the Half Dome trail?

How many people have died on Half Dome? There have been more than 20 deaths on Half Dome itself, and if you count the trail leading up to Half Dome, the number leaps to

more than 60

.

What is the hardest hike in Utah?

  1. Mt. Raymond. Distance: 7.8-mile out-and-back. …
  2. Mt. Nebo North. Distance: 8.7-mile out-and-back. …
  3. Fish Lake Loop. Distance: 9.4-mile loop. Elevation Gain: 2,400 feet. …
  4. Frary Peak. Distance: 6.3-mile out-and-back. Elevation Gain: 2,030 feet. …
  5. Squaw Peak. Distance: 7.1-mile out-and-back.

What to do if you have to use the bathroom while hiking?

  1. Squat as low as possible. …
  2. Pay attention to the ground slope. …
  3. Be mindful of the wind direction. …
  4. Pack out your toilet paper. …
  5. Use a pee rag instead of toilet paper. …
  6. Consider other alternatives to toilet paper. …
  7. Try using a female urination device. …
  8. Consider wearing a hiking skirt instead of pants.

How do I prepare for Half Dome hike?

  1. Pull-ups. This exercise is a game changer for the cables. …
  2. Weighted Lunges. Lunges are an obvious exercise, but add some dumbbells or kettlebells to the exercise to improve strength and to increase muscular endurance. …
  3. Lateral Bounds. …
  4. Squats. …
  5. Cable Rope Rows. …
  6. Cardio Training. …
  7. Stairs.

How long does Half Dome hike take?

Get to know this 15.0-mile out-and-back trail near Yosemite Valley, California. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of

8 h 30 min

to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking and rock climbing, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring.

Can you hike Half Dome at night?


At night, the path to the summit lies completely open, allowing you a solid 12 hours to hike the Half Dome cables, permit free

. Hiking at night might seem daunting to some, but I can assure you that it is just as enjoyable and challenging as hiking during the day.

How many flights of stairs is Half Dome?

Half Dome has an elevation of 8,844 feet and sits 4,737 feet above the valley floor. It takes an equivalent

473 flights

of stairs to reach the top, which means 118 trips from the First Floor Lantern to the McFadden-Willis Reading Room.

Why is Half Dome famous?

Originally named “Tis-sa-ack,” an Ahwahnechee phrase for Cleft Rock,

Half Dome has been the home to many famous ascents, including the first known ascent by George Anderson in 1875, who drilled holes into the smooth granite to scale the rock’s face

.

What makes the dawn wall so difficult to free climb?


Because the route is not a crack climb

, the style of climbing involved grabbing some of the tiniest, most frictionless holds imaginable. Climbers prefer cold conditions because they believe friction is better between their skin and the rock.

How steep is Half Dome?

Half Dome Cables. Once at the top of Sub Dome, there’s only one way to the summit: the legendary Half Dome cables. Half Dome’s final 400-foot ascent heads up bare granite inclined

between 45 and 60 degrees

. It’s too steep to hike without falling, so the park service employs a unique metal cable system.

Can you see Hawaii from Clouds Rest?

Clouds Rest is one of the more popular hikes in Yosemite, since on a clear day,

you can often see Hawaii to the west and all the way to Nebraska in the East

(not literally, but the views are crazy expansive, just saying) not to mention the unforgettable views of Yosemite Valley all around you.

Can you hike El Capitan?


The El Capitan Trail is a 15 mile hike in Yosemite National Park

that drops you off at the top of El Capitan, offering stunning views of Taft Point, Dewey Point, Half Dome, Clouds Rest, and North Dome. The hike is difficult but rewarding, offering views that can hardly be matched anywhere else.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.