#DOM TRAIL MAP ON OUR OWN HOW TO#

HALF DOME PERMIT: The Half Dome Permit: How to Be One of the Lucky Lottery Winners.

HALF DOME CABLES: Climbing the Half Dome Cables: A Journey in 18 Photos.

BEST OF YOSEMITE: Yosemite for First-Timers: Best Hikes, Best Views, and the Best Things To Do.YOSEMITE TRAVEL GUIDE: Complete Guide to Yosemite National Park.More Information for Your Trip to Yosemite: On day one, hike the Mist Trail to Little Yosemite Campground (4.3 miles), on day two hike 7 miles round trip to Half Dome, and on day 3 hike back to the Yosemite Valley via the Muir or Mist trails. You can break up this hike up into two or three days by camping overnight in Little Yosemite Campground. There are several other options for reaching Half Dome, other than taking the Mist and Muir Trails.

The poles come in several sizes, so make sure you pick the right length based on your height.

#DOM TRAIL MAP ON OUR OWN PLUS#

They easily collapse down to fit in your luggage and hiking backpack, plus they are extremely lightweight. I use Black Diamond Distance Z poles and love them. Hiking poles (optional). Hiking poles take about 30% of the weight off of your legs as you descend, easing knee pain and other symptoms. We did not use a harness and clips on the cables, but if we did it again, we would. If you plan to do this, you will need a harness, carabiners, and a Y-shaped lanyard. This is the best way to stay safe while climbing and descending the cables.

Sunscreen. There is shade on the trail, but the cables and Half Dome are totally exposed and most likely you will be here midday. You will also need to bring a government issued ID that matches your name on your permit. Make sure you have this packed in your backpack. Gloves are a necessity for climbing and descending the cables to protect your hands. Water. The National Park Service recommends 4 liters of water per person for this hike. You need to wear shoes with good traction to minimize slipping while climbing the cables. Hiking Shoes. You need hiking shoes or boots for this hike. People have died on Half Dome from being struck by lightning.įor more information on the climb, watch this video on the National Park Service website. Half Dome is not a place you want to be in with rain, wind, or lightning. If rain clouds are in the area, do not climb the cables. They can wait here with an adult if someone in your group wants to hike up the Half Dome cables.Īt the time we did this hike, Kara was almost 13 and Tyler was 14. If you are traveling with kids, it is safe for them to hike to the subdome. In our opinion, the youngest age we would recommend is 12 years old, and only if they have lots of hiking experience. Young children should not do this hike. Again, this hike is dangerous and not a place to bring young kids. And just remember, once on top of Half Dome, you still have at least four more hours of hiking to get back to Yosemite Valley. If you do not think you are fit enough or have enough upper body strength, go no farther than the subdome. You will need to be able to pull your body up using your upper body strength. Once you are on the cables, it is a very strenuous climb to the top. If you are fatigued by the time you get to this point, it only makes the hike more dangerous. Most of this climb comes before the subdome. You must have a very good level of physical fitness. You will be climbing (and then descending) 5,500 feet. This is not the place to confront your fears. If you have a fear of heights, you should not do this hike. The trail up Half Dome is very steep and very slippery. Do not underestimate this hike! Over twenty people have died hiking Half Dome (either from falling off the cables, having a heart attack, being struck by lightning, or from failed base jumps).

Dom trail map on our own