What time should you start Half Dome hike?

around 4-5am
If you’re new to hiking and not sure how conditioned you are, aim to start around 4-5am. You may be starting your hike in the dark, but it’s much better than ending your hike in the dark. The first time I hiked half dome it took me nearly 7 hours just to make it to Little Yosemite Valley.

How early can you enter Yosemite?

Yosemite National Park is open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. However, the Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station is open only during daylight hours (approximately) and some roads are closed due to snow from around November through May or June.

Can you hike Half Dome in a day?

You Can Hike Half Dome in a Day There are 225 day hiking permits available each day and they are granted by lottery. Most hikers take from 10-12 hours to hike Half Dome and back! Check out Tip #7 below for ideas on which Half Dome trailhead to start at.

Where does Half Dome hike start?

The Trailhead The hike starts on the Mist Trail. The closest parking is the Yosemite Valley Trailhead Parking, located just past the Half Dome Village. From this parking lot, it is a half-mile walk down a service road to the Happy Isles Bridge and the start of the hike.

Can you enter Yosemite without reservation?

People can drive through Yosemite without a reservation “The entrance station ranger will provide a time-stamped permit valid for the time needed to travel from entrance to entrance,” park officials said. “You must drive the most direct route to exit the park; stopping is prohibited.

How fit do you have to be to climb Half Dome?

The trail up Half Dome is very steep and very slippery. This is not the place to confront your fears. You must have a very good level of physical fitness. You will be climbing (and then descending) 5,500 feet.

Do you need permit to hike 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.

Do you need a harness for Half Dome?

You do not need a climbing harness to hike Half Dome. You can make it the many miles up to the base of the cables without one. If the cables are up for the season, then the last stretch to the summit is like walking up a staircase with handrails on both sides.

Do I need a reservation to hike Half Dome?

If you have a permit to hike Half Dome, you do not need an additional day-use reservation. However, to stay overnight in the park, you must have either a wilderness permit , lodging reservation, or campground reservation . Learn more about current park operations. This is a modal window.

Do you need a reservation to drive into Yosemite National Park?

Reservations are required to drive into Yosemite National Park beginning May 21. If you have a permit to hike Half Dome, you do not need an additional day-use reservation. However, to stay overnight in the park, you must have either a wilderness permit , lodging reservation, or campground reservation .

How hard is the hike to Yosemite National Park?

Yosemite National Park calls it “maybe the most strenuous day hike in any park,” but it’s doable by most people with the right preparation. I’ve seen people in their 70s and I’ve seen 12-year-olds (not recommended). Is climbing Half Dome dangerous? It can be, and people have died doing it.

Is it safe to climb half dome alone?

Yes, but it’s only something that should be attempted by those with lots of experience who are very familiar with the ascent. There are a disproportionate number of deaths on the cables when they are down. Do I need a permit to hike Half Dome? You need a permit when the cables are up, which is when you should be doing the hike.