Half Dome 2017 - The HikeHalf Dome is a world class hike.
The Mist Trail alone is a World Class Hike. Then you do Half Dome too. "How long should I plan for and what should I take?" Well, if you're one of those young people who run up and down mountains, prepare for a decent day hike. You can start about dawn, (most people start before,) and get back to your car this evening. I recommend 8 liters of water total, although if you carry a filter you can save a lot of weight. More on this in a minute. If you're more like me, you carry your camp in with you and spend a couple of nights. The thing is, why not? Why not just stop, and enjoy yourself? When will you ever be here again? So, you're bringing your tent, food, etc... plus your water filter. But you're only carrying it about halfway. At the beginning of your hike you'll cross the Merced River. You'll be following this most of the way. Do not drink it without filtering it or otherwise purifying it. You're not supposed to take the Giardia home with you. NOTICE: Most of this is this year's hike, but I am using pictures from several different hikes to illustrate this better. |
Directions:Go to Yosemite Valley and pick up your permits at the Permit Office.
If you're not sure where that is at, start from the Yosemite Village stores and head towards Yosemite Falls. It's near the end of the village right beside the Post Office. You will need your Half Dome Permit and, if you're going to camp, you'll also need your wilderness permit. I recommend 2 nights, plus Half Dome. Bring a good water filter. The Hike:Day one:
Hike in 4.3 miles to Little Yosemite Valley with your full pack. Set up camp. Relax. Day Two: Hike 3.5 miles to Half Dome with only a day pack and lunch, then return to camp. Relax. Day Three: Hike out and drive home. Take the longer way out. At the top of Nevada Falls take the John Muir trail out. It's a couple miles longer but much nicer for your exit. |
The Merced River
The last potable water
When you get to the first bridge, about a mile in, is the last potable water... and the first view of Vernal Falls.
There is a water fountain just past that cluster of people and also a bathroom here just up there on the right.
No sense carrying much water before here, maybe a liter to get you here.
Now you want to decide...
2-3 liters per person to get to camp.
6-7 liters of water to get to Half Dome and back.
IF you're got that filter I mentioned, 3 liters now and refill at the backpackers camp.
Then carry about 3 liters to get you up Half Dome and back to there.
Be sure to carry lunch and whatever else you want... especially cameras and batteries, and your rubber coated gloves.
Now you want to decide...
2-3 liters per person to get to camp.
6-7 liters of water to get to Half Dome and back.
IF you're got that filter I mentioned, 3 liters now and refill at the backpackers camp.
Then carry about 3 liters to get you up Half Dome and back to there.
Be sure to carry lunch and whatever else you want... especially cameras and batteries, and your rubber coated gloves.
Vernal Falls, from that first bridge.
(I've got pretty good zoom.)
Vernal Falls - 2015
Vernal Falls - 2017
The Mist Trail hell.
The Hurricane Trail is more accurate.
I'm soaked.
How wet was it?
Next, head up to the top of Vernal Falls.
And dry off with everybody else.
Then continue along the trail until you come to Nevada Falls
Take a bunch of switchbacks up to the trail junction
And now there's only about a mile to camp
I saw bears!
Two of them, a black and a brown.
I hiked in on Friday and took a day of rest on Saturday.
I wandered around near camp, enjoyed the river and just being out here.
Then I saw a bear... and another.
I thought it was a mama and her cub, but I don't know.
I didn't get any closer; I've got zoom on my camera.
They knew I was there, but weren't concerned since I didn't invade their space.
I wandered around near camp, enjoyed the river and just being out here.
Then I saw a bear... and another.
I thought it was a mama and her cub, but I don't know.
I didn't get any closer; I've got zoom on my camera.
They knew I was there, but weren't concerned since I didn't invade their space.
The Beach where we get water, or go swimming if you want to.
It's too cold for me.
Half Dome is over yonder.
This is the back side that you never see from the valley.
To climb it you start from the valley and walk 3/4 of the way around it.
We are 1/2 way around it here.
Sunday: Half Dome straight ahead.
First you climb that big sub-dome with all the switchbacks, then you climb the dome itself with the cables.
The dome is the nose the sticks off to the right.
See all them little ant-like people doing switchbacks up the mountain?
The switchbacks
That's Jan up there.
We hiked the dome together.
She's been here 8 times before and never done the cables.
Ninth time's the charm, or so they say.
The Half Dome cables.
The last 600' of your hike.
This took me 29 minutes since I'm not in shape.
I got the video, up and down both.
On the cables.
Jan is way up there already.
We made it.
Sitting on Half Dome with my feet off the edge.
Views from the top.
Well, it's all downhill from here.
I did have one minor fall.
Sand on granite is pretty slippery.
Monday, time to go home.
I packed up camp and hiked over to Nevada Falls for breakfast.
When I got home I read about a guy who went over the falls right here about two hours after I sat here and ate breakfast.
HEY!
I've seen this tree before...
When Doug and I were here in 2015.
Well, it's time to say Goodbye and head home.
It's been a great vacation and I made it.
Back at Yosemite Village I had me a pizza...
... and a nap.
