It took us about 3 hours to get to the Half Dome peak from Little Yosemite Valley. The climb is hard – but feasible. The cables are scary – but doable. Climbing by night is easier since it is much cooler (even very cold on the peak) and there are no lines or other people on the cables.

We decided to hike Half Dome at Yosemite with kids, and it was probably one of the most rewarding, memorable family activities we’ve ever completed. We hiked Half Dome as part of our epic National Park Road Trip that we did in the summer of 2019. …

Half Dome is one of the most dangerous hikes that you will be able to find in a national park. It is challenging for even the most experienced hikers. The Half Dome cables, the last stretch up to the summit, will be one of the most memorable moments that you may ever have hiking. It may also be pretty intimidating.

I’ve hiked both trails, and must admit the final stretch to the summit of Half Dome is scarier and, indeed, very likely more dangerous than the trail up Angels Landing. Nowhere on Angels Landing does the trail head up a 600-foot stretch of slick granite that at points reaches a 45-degree angle.

How high is the Thank God ledge? The verb was spurred by photographs of Honnold in exactly that spot on Thank God Ledge, located 1,800 feet off the deck in Yosemite National Park.

Half Dome Cables. Once at the top of Sub Dome, there’s only one way to the summit: the legendary Half Dome cables. Half Dome’s final 400-foot ascent heads up bare granite inclined between 45 and 60 degrees. It’s too steep to hike without falling, so the park service employs a unique metal cable system.

Gloves: Proper gloves are a must on the Half Dome Cables. Any hardware store will carry nitrile utility work gloves that would be suitable for this hike. Nitrile coated gloves are lightweight and work best. Latex gloves with extra ‘rubberized’ grip are very good too, but some people are allergic to latex.

Best Time to Visit: You can’t climb Half Dome unless the cables are up, which is generally from late May or early June through Columbus Day weekend in October. The waterfalls will be better the earlier in the year you go.

Here is a typical packing list for the hike:

• High energy foods such as Bars & Nuts.
• About 1 gallon (3.8 l) of water/Gatorade (2l worked for me)
• Sun screen.
• Flash light (head mounted or hand held)
• Layered clothing (based upon weather)
• Hiking shoes or Trail running shoes (more below)
• First aid kit.
• Backpack (more below)

What Are Your Chances of Getting a Permit? As the Half Dome hike grows in popularity, your chance of scoring a Half Dome permit decreases. In 2016, there was a 25% chance you would be awarded a permit. Compare that to 2015, with a 35% success rate and 2014 with a 45% success rate.

Permits to hike to the top of Half Dome are required seven days per week when the cables are up, even for backpackers with wilderness permits. The quota for Half Dome permits for backpackers is 75 permits per day (50 available by reservation and 25 available two weeks in advance).