Yosemite National Park is a crown jewel of America’s many outstanding hiking destinations. This remarkable landscape, deeply loved by naturalist John Muir and photographer Ansel Adams, features breathtaking mountains, deep valleys, majestic meadows, incredible waterfalls and massive granite domes. One of the most impressive of these granite monoliths is also perhaps the most famous hike in Yosemite…the mighty Half Dome!
There are two ways to go about tackling this exciting and demanding hike. One is via a long day hike roughly 14 miles in length. The other way, and the preferred alternative, is to summit it as part of a longer overnight backpacking trip in Yosemite’s outstanding backcountry. For either option, permits are required and must be obtained in advance.
The Long Day Hike
The day hike option is a relatively grueling, yet incredibly rewarding, trek covering 14 miles roundtrip and an elevation gain of nearly 5000 feet. This is certainly not an endeavor to be taken lightly and should really only be attempted by fit, experienced hikers. Someone in excellent physical shape who is rarely stopping for rest breaks and photo stops can feasibly complete the hike in about 8 hours. Most folks will take 10 to 12 hours, and some will take even longer. Plan to start very early in the morning (first light is a great time), carry about 1 gallon of water per person, and bring plenty of food. You’re going to burn a LOT of calories so you might consider carrying something for breakfast and lunch, as well as a hearty supply of snacks. Take advantage of the cooler temperatures in the morning and keep a steady pace (breaking every hour or so until reaching the summit). Enjoy the views from the top and relax awhile…you deserve it.
On your way back down, feel free to take your sweet time. Downhill hiking can be more taxing on your body than uphill, particularly on your knees and ankles. And considering you have already covered 7 miles and climbed almost a vertical mile, your legs might be a little weary. Trekking poles are a great tool for helping take some the pressure of your knees as you descend and they offer a little more balance as well. It’s probably a good idea to have a flashlight or headlamp with you just in case it starts getting dark on the way back. You will likely find yourself on the trail with quite a few other hikers as daylight fades so don’t worry about being alone out there. Once you arrive back at your starting point, it’s a short stroll (or drive) to Curry Village for a cold beer and some pizza!
Next we’ll discuss hiking Half Dome as part of an overnight backpacking trip!
About Hiking Half Dome in Yosemite: The Half Dome hike in Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular bucket-list adventures for any singles or couples. For more information on how to plan for your Half Dome hiking adventure in Yosemite, visit: https://fsguides.com/ today!
