Half Dome, a strenuous day hike inside Yosemite National Park, has been described as one of the most popular hikes in the United States.http://www.hikehalfdome.com/ With an elevation gain of nearly 5,000 feet, the summit of the 14-16 mile round trip climb rises to just over 8,800 feet above sea level.http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/halfdome.htm

Once thought to be one of the few areas of Yosemite inaccessible to human travelers, the summit was reached by George Anderson in 1875, and today thousands of people attempt and succeed at the same each year.http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/halfdome.htm The hike consists of 8 strenuous miles up to the base of the Half Dome, then a very steep climb up the side of the dome on cables that are available from Memorial Day until Columbus day.http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/halfdome.htm Prior to 2010, anyone could climb the cables on any day they were up; however permits are now required for cable use on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and all federal holidays.http://www.everytrail.com/guide/half-dome-hike

The hike begins at the Happy Isles trailhead. This is accessible via shuttle at stop #16.http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/halfdome.htm Shuttles begin running at 7 am, so hikers wishing to begin the long hike may walk the ¾ mile from Curry Village to the trailhead.http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/halfdome.htm

The first mile of the hike, from the trailhead to Vernal Falls, is a very strenuous 1.5 miles of steep, paved trail.http://www.everytrail.com/guide/half-dome-hike Vernal falls is also the last source of clean drinking water on the Half Dome trail, so the National Park Service recommends bringing at least one gallon of water per person and using a filter or other treatment method on any river water taken from the rivers along the trail.http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/halfdome.htm

From Vernal Falls, hikers can choose to continue up to Nevada Falls via either the John Muir Trail or the Mist Trailhttp://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/valleyhikes.htm The Mist Trail consists of over 600 steps along a steep, slippery 0.5 mile trail.http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/valleyhikes.htm Because of the waterfall spray, hikers will get wet and will need to proceed with caution along the steps. The John Muir Trail is 1.5 miles and is less steep and less dangerous than the Mist Trail.http://www.yosemitehikes.com/yosemite-valley/half-dome/half-dome.htm

From Nevada Falls, the trail levels out for about one mile until hikers reach the Little Yosemite Campground.http://www.everytrail.com/guide/half-dome-hike Some hikers prefer to stop at this point, camp for the night, and finish the hike on a second day; however, a permit is required for this.http://www.yosemitehikes.com/yosemite-valley/half-dome/half-dome.htm For those going on the same day, the trail again becomes steep, as a long series of switchbacks take hikers through the forest to the base of the dome.http://www.everytrail.com/guide/half-dome-hike

Once hikers make it to the 7th mile of the hike, they’ll find an arduous set of switchbacks that ascend 500 feet up the side of the dome and are carved into the rock like steps.http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/valleyhikes.htm The final 400 feet to the top of Half Dome require the use of the cables set into the steep rock face.http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/valleyhikes.htm The National Park Service cautions hikers against ascending the cables if storms are forecast or if storm clouds are seen nearby.http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/halfdome.htm

Half Dome poses several risks to hikers. About 60 hikers have died on the trail for various reasons including falls from the cables, lightning strikes, heart attacks, failed base jumps, and even suicides.http://www.yosemitehikes.com/yosemite-valley/half-dome/half-dome.htm Hikers have also been lost after wading or falling into the water above Nevada Falls and being swept away by the fast moving current.http://www.yosemitehikes.com/yosemite-valley/half-dome/half-dome.htm To reduce injuries and fatalities, the NPS recommends hikers be in good shape, prepare well for changes in weather, follow posted rules and recommendations, and hike responsibly throughout the Half Dome trail.http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/halfdome.htm