dbdurand

I think the primary reason for permits is to control the number of people on the trail. Here's what it looked like in 2006.

http://www.summitpost.org/half-dome-crowds/330948

sf7307

OMG - is that picture for real?

AMT6

WOW!!! That is truly incredible. I know we need permits and I'm still trying to talk my boyfriend out of wanting to venture up there... it just seems crazy. But we'll see. Of course the cables are a necessity, I wouldn't even consider it if the cables were down. Also, I don't know if I want to wake up at 5am to hike on VACATION!

We shall see!

sf7307

>>

Well, why doesn't he go without you? he can start at 5, and you can sleep late.

hazel1

For me, having to do the Half Dome hike would be the LAST thing I'd want to do on vacation - that would be more in the category of severe torture. The hike up the trail to Lower Yosemite Falls almost did me in as it was - going up I was gasping for breath so hard, I thought I was going to pass out from hyperventilation and tumble off the trail to my death.

janisj

"The hike up the trail to Lower Yosemite Falls almost did me in as it was - going up I was gasping for breath so hard, I thought I was going to pass out from hyperventilation and tumble off the trail to my death."

The 'trail' to Lower Yosemite Falls is wheel chair accessible - are you sure that is the one you are talking about?

Now, if you meant the Upper Yosemite Falls trail -- that is a whole 'nuther matter . . .

november_moon

Perhaps you mean Vernal Falls hazel?

Hiking Half Dome is one of my Bucket List items. I am not ready though. Waking up in the pre-dawn hours for a hike is neat though - I love being out to watch the world come awake. I'd absolutely do that on a vacation, but vacation means different things to different people.

I know several people who have done the hike over multiple days - backpacked to a campsite enroute and then done Half Dome as a day hike from the camp. This way, they are further along the trail to start, so they get to Half Dome before the day hikers make it up there.

hazel1

Doh! Yes, janisj, you're correct - it was the Upper Yosemite Falls trail, not the Lower Falls trail. As bad as the hike up was, the way down was pretty tough too, because my legs were shaky by then and when I stumbled and took a fall, another hiker grabbed me before I could take the painful way down the side of the mountain. Beautiful views from up top, tho, I will admit.

sf7307

hazel, a friend of mine wanted a group of six of us to "do" Half Dome for her 50th birthday. Two of us told her we'd be happy to accompany them to Yosemite, and we'd be there at "ground level" waving to them as they go up and as they come back down!

pikeplace1

My biggest piece of advice is - skip the drive from LA to San Diego and take the Amtrak train (even better from Santa Barbara if you can). It covers a good deal of spectacular coastline and will save you the aggravation of the drive through the LA Freeways which are unpredictable and congested.

Half Dome is fantastic but allot an entire (long) day. 8 miles UPHILL hike to the base of the dome and 8 miles back. That doesn't cover the trek up the dome. Also, depends on the time of year that it is. Summer is super crowded and if there are thunderstorms, they won't let you climb.

Lot's of good wine choices along the central coast. Should take you 6 hours from YNP to Cambria, just so you can guage.

pikeplace1

My biggest piece of advice is - skip the drive from LA to San Diego and take the Amtrak train (even better from Santa Barbara if you can). It covers a good deal of spectacular coastline and will save you the aggravation of the drive through the LA Freeways which are unpredictable and congested.

Half Dome is fantastic but allot an entire (long) day. 8 miles UPHILL hike to the base of the dome and 8 miles back. That doesn't cover the trek up the dome. Also, depends on the time of year that it is. Summer is super crowded and if there are thunderstorms, they won't let you climb.

Lot's of good wine choices along the central coast. Should take you 6 hours from YNP to Cambria, just so you can guage.

hazel1

sf7307 - oh yeah, I'd definitely be on the "ground crew" for that.