Yosemite National Park, situated in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, is known for its massive granite cliffs and flowing waterfalls. Half Dome is perhaps the most well-known feature of Yosemite Valley. Half Dome is a Yosemite symbol and a challenge for many hikers, rising over 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley and 8,800 feet above sea level.
The Mist Trail and John Muir Trail Trailhead are the most popular hikes, with the Mist trail being the quickest to the summit. It's Yosemite's most famous climb. While many of Yosemite's trails are prominent because of a single phenomenal location, the Mist Trail has magnificent scenery along with it.
Best Time To Visit
Although the Mist Trail along Vernal Fall is open all year, the bottom stretch of the trail is closed in the winter owing to the risk of falling ice and rock. Since the Mist Trail is so famous, the time of day is also important. If trekking it during peak tourist season, particularly on a weekend, travelers will get the most out of it if they start early in the morning or late afternoon.
- Year-round; though April to June is the best time to enjoy scenic waterfalls.
Scenic Views In The Trail
Starting at the bridge viewpoint, the Mist Trail progresses through two spectacular waterfalls and ends with possibly the most impressive of all: the view of Nevada Fall, Liberty Cap, and the rear of Half Dome from the Muir Trail return stretch. This is why Yosemite National Park's iconic hike, the Mist Trail, is so well-known.
Vernal Falls
Vernal Falls is hiked in the first section of the hike. The route is difficult right from the beginning. The trail becomes steeper as it climbs a wide series of stairs that leads to the falls' immediate proximity. The Vernal Falls stairwells offer a one-of-a-kind hiking adventure; you will feel the cool sprays of the waterfall and may even get soaked during periods of heavy water flow.
- A precipitous drop-off leads directly into the river.
- Hikers must exercise extreme caution because the stairs are quite steep and slick.
Nevada Falls
The trekking goes along the river's banks above Vernal Fall, with the beautiful Liberty Cap and Mount Broderick summits visible in the distance. As the trail ascends through a nice woodland portion, a second hiker's footbridge goes back over to the left (north) side of the river. Then the path makes its final great push up many slopes that climb the boulder field beneath Liberty Cap, with Nevada Fall near sight. The top of Nevada Falls includes a restroom and is a perfect place to pause, eat a snack, and refuel for the remainder of the trek.
- This trail leads to the John Muir Trail, which is a less difficult alternative to the Mist Trail for returning to Yosemite.
Sub Dome
As it parallels the Merced River, the path briefly smooths out. An old-growth forest, enormous redwood trees, and wildflowers abound in this portion of the walk.
After a few more kilometers of climbing uphill, visitors will reach the base of the Sub-Dome, a tiny peak just before Half Dome. The Sub-Dome is extremely steep and difficult to navigate. Three-quarters of the way up the peak is reached through a series of concrete slopes. Visitors must climb up granite for the remaining quarter of the trip up the Sub-Dome. The views from the top of the Sub-Dome are spectacular.
- Hikers can climb 400 feet up the side of the granite rock using the famed Half Dome cables.
- It is the trail's highest and most perilous section.
Preparations For The Hike
This hike is tough and risky because of the vicinity to waterfalls, the slick stairs, the roaring rivers, and the steep slope on the cables. As a result, there are a few factors that must be considered before beginning the hike.
- Appropriate Shoes: Footwear with sturdy tread is necessary to prevent sliding.
- Gloves: Because the wires are made from rugged materials, climbing them necessitates a firm grip. The extreme friction from the cables may cause hands to blister and bleed if gloves are not used.
- Permit: An authorization from the National Park Service is required to ascend the cables and the Sub-Dome. These permits are difficult to obtain due to the hike's popularity. Permits are normally available in March, so make reservations as early as possible.
Entry in Permit Lottery Charges - $10
Additional charges after winning Permit Lottery - $10
- Water: To guarantee a safe and pleasurable hike, travelers should bring lots of water. Minimum 1 gallon of water is suggested per person for the entire hike
- Carabiners And Harnesses: It is possible to climb the cables without a harness, but it never hurts to add an extra layer of safety to a risky task.
Planning The hike
The hike is long with a total altitude gain of around 4,800 feet. Due to the intense nature of the hike, it might easily take longer than usual. Because trekking takes so long, it's best to begin at sunrise or very shortly after. Even if getting up early, it's always a good idea to have torches and lamps just in case.
- Hike Distance - 14.2 miles
- Hike Time - 10 to 12 hours
- Difficulty - Strenuous; The sections alongside Vernal and Nevada Falls are also exceedingly steep; in particular, the last few hundred meters of the Vernal Falls route are cliffside stairs.
The trek to Half Dome is filled with possibly the most beautiful view in Yosemite National Park. At the top, take in the breathtaking views of the valley and refuel for the long descent back to the base.