Comments on: How to Hike Half Dome in a Day

on 9/30/2009 I am 35, and a former Marine, Vet. I have done Half Dome several times now, and gotten out of shape as the years have passed. I did it without training and really out of shape last year going off of muscle memory and pure embarrasment at how much out of shape I was. I kept a pretty solid pace, but WATER was an issue, I packed plenty of it, and had drank more than half by the time I got to little Dome, but did not bring a filter. I found myself bartering on the way down for water. Lucky for me I found some cute girls on the switchbacks, filtering water that were willing to trade granola bars and beef jerky for filtered water. Upon catching my breath and rehydrating, I noticed that the cute girls were now hairy Euro chicks, which helped me realize the lack of water was making me dizzy. ( I felt like throwing up so food was not desireable to me at that point ) WATER is key for the trip ...

on 7/15/2008 I am a 31 year old male and I did this in 11 1/2 hours round trip completely out of shape (beer gut/smoker) and with zero advance training. After some initial resistance from my body on the mist trail, I got into a groove after breaking in little yosemite valley and then hitting the switch backs in the forrest. Trekking poles were extremely helpful for me. Quarter Dome was definitely the most difficult part on the way up and it comes when the top feels very close, but it's not. Definitely need water/gataorade/water purifier. I went through about a gallon and a half of fluid on the way up and provided others without water with the use of my filter and that was on a relatively cool day at 85 degrees. You'd be surprised how many hikers end up with no water on the way down. The way down is grueling and hard on the knees and ankles. Took the John Muir trail down from the top of Nevada

on 6/21/2007 Ditto to everything everyone else has said, but I need to add two things I learned through experience (I went up on June 13)...

- Make sure your shoes/boots fit in the toes
- Trim your toenails

I wear a size 6 1/2, but my hiking shoes are 7. I've had them a year with no problems, but I had never hiked 8 miles downhill in them before. Add to this the fact that I didn't trim my toenails. My toenails hit the end of the shoes the entire trip back which was EXTREMELY painful. No blisters at all, no hotspots, but when I took off my shoes & socks my big toes were purple. I had to buy some Tevas in the Yosemite Village store just to be able to walk. I couldn't wear normal shoes for about 4 days after. Learn from others' experiences.

on 2/28/2007 Lots of hiking is the best way to prepare for Half Dome. Do a lot of stair climbing! Hiking up Quarter Dome, just before Half Dome, is the most grueling part of the hike. To prepare I climbed stairs for up to two hours non-stop, and this made all the difference. I cannot recommend this enough to anyone.

For the cables put on the gardening gloves with the black rubber dots. They are about $2/pair and grip better than expensive leather gloves.

You'll need at least a gallon of drinking fluids. In addition to drinking water I drank Gatorade and Propel. Consider bringing a filtered pump. This will lighten the weight of the backpack. DO NOT DRINK WATER FROM THE RIVER WITHOUT FILTERING IT!

I brought at least ten nutrition bars to snack on and some fruit.

Do not eat a large breakfast. Keep in mind that the final bathroom is at the top of Nevada Fall. That means you'll walk 10 miles round-trip without a bathroom. Pack a roll of toilet paper inside a Zip Lock bag. Bring 3 extra t-shirts, an extra pair of socks, a hat (there is no shade on top of the dome) and a towel to wipe away the perspiration. Keep the towel ready in your waistband. Bring sweat-resistance sunscreen, and re-apply during the hike. Bring inspect repellant. Some have sunscreen.

I was very happy wearing trail shoes instead of heavier boots.

My partner used hiking poles. I did not. I felt they would be cumbersome. I never felt like I need hiking poles at anytime. It's a personal preference; do whatever makes your hike comfortable.

On average it is about six hours to the top, and five hours down. I spent an hour at the top for a twelve hour day. Plan your hike around the 21st of June for the maximum amount of sunlight. Avoid weekends!!! It may take two hours or longer with crowds just to go up the cables on a busy Fri, Sat or Sun. Pack a flashlight just in case. Plan to finish the hike before sunset.

Hike down the John Muir trail. It's a mile longer, easier on the joints than the Mist Trail, and well worth it.

I'll be up there again in June. Have fun!

on 9/14/2006 Having poles makes the hike so much easier. When on the Mist Trail you hit seemingly endless amount of stairs, then right before the cables are more steep stairs. Having poles is like having handrails, you use your arms and not just your legs on all those stairs when going up. More importantly, when going down the poles give you stability and added confidence. This is needed since your legs may be weak from the hike up. Go to Target and invest a minimal amount (like $30) for two Eddie Bauer poles.

on 8/8/2006 If you're over 50 and trying for the first time, bring along OTC pain killers. I was in good muscle/aerobic condition, but underestimated the strain on my knees coming down. Motrin got me through, but I could barely walk next day. Next time, I'll be on joint supplements a month in advance (yes there will be a next time; it's awesome!).
Also - water, water, water. It was cool weather, but I still went through 100 ounces of CamelBak, plus a 1 liter bottle. Sports drinks are a good idea too.

on 7/19/2006 I'm 42, healthy, but not a regular hiker. I didn't do a lot of prep - some in-line skating, some walking and one moderate hike a month prior to Half Dome. This is a must-do hike! I thought it was more of an endurance hike due to total distance (we did it in about 11 hours round-trip). The hike to Upper Yosemite Falls is more difficult, in terms of elevation gain relative to distance, as well as the quality of the trail. We took 2 quarts of water each - not enough - 3 would have been ideal (it hit 100 degrees in the valley while we were there, yet snow on top). Cables were easier than I expected (yes, the pictures on the web are very realistic); going down facing forward was easier than facing backward. Toughest part of the hike was getting up the shoulder - far more difficult than we expected! Go for it. Can't wait to do it again.

on 6/30/2006 If you are middle aged, like me, and not in the greatest shape, invest in a good pair of walking sticks. This will save your knees lots of wear and tear (especially on the way down).

Hiking boots are crucial. I saw a guy in tennis shoes that had to be taped together by the end of the hike.

A poncho of some sort is important if you are hiking during the peak waterfall season. You will get wet if you take the Mist Trail.

Take time to rest before attempting the final switchbacks and cables. I was exhausted at that point in the hike and (without any rest) when I started to traverse the switchbacks, I felt light-headed and dizzy and had to abort the final portion of the hike. The altitude and fatigue are contributing factors.

on 2/1/2006 After 90 minutes on the hike, start adding a sports drink into your Camelback, or canteen. 50/50 of water and a sports drink is optimal. Sweet granola bars or even packets of honey will give you a boost of energy along the way and are easy to pack. The better physical training and optimal nutrition you have will pay off in how much you will enjoy the scenery and not focus on your muscles and feet.

on 11/22/2005 There is a natural spring about a mile above the Little Yosemite Valley, about 2/3 to 3/4 of the way into the ascent. Theoretically this water is OK to drink, even if you didn't bring a filter (though I'd still use a filter!)

Don't forget a flashlight! The rangers will not usually retrieve people who are caught on the trail after dark until the next morning. If this is your first time and you don't hike often, plan on spending at least 8 hours on the ascent, 12 hours round trip.

The cables are taken down from their supporting poles around October each year, but if you are dedicated, you can still climb all the way to the top using the cables lying on the rock! Don't try this if it's snowy or you're not 100% sure of yourself.

There is often a pile of gloves at the foot of the cables that you're free to use and return, but they can be a bit disgusting. You'll bring your own if you're smart.

on 11/22/2005 If you don't want to use mostly arm strength to pull you up the 50 cable rungs, over 700 yards long, at a 45 degree angle - use good hiking boots! My partner used Tevas hiking boots and loved it. I however lift weights, and for a female I am pretty muscular, but if I had traction I would have had a much easier time. I thought my running shoes would have been adequate. Not! Instead I was thankful for the time invested in lat rows in my gym.

on 11/22/2005 If you want to avoid crowds at the cables and waiting mid-air, start as early as you can. We started at 5:45 and it was fabulous. There were a few early birds who were coming back by the time we reached the base of the cables, but there were only 4 people ahead of us. I'm a marathon runner and had little difficulty (thankfully) in getting through the climb. We made it up in 3:48 minutes from Curry Village. Pretty exciting. We decided to go the longer route around Nevada to avoid too many steps, and the mist, and I'm glad we did. Our hike was on June 24th and the falls were booming. We had a leisurely lunch on top and it was spectacular with the snow on most of the peaks. There was a large patch of snow on Half Dome, too. When we descended, around 11:30, here were boatloads of people attempting the cables. It was very difficult waiting and maneuvering around the many not-so-fit and petrified people. If I had come up at that time I'm sure my fear of heights would have got the best of me. So, next time we decided we'll go 1/2 hour earlier and it would be even better.

on 11/22/2005 The first time on a pair of skis, you think - "How can these 2 sticks get me down the slope?" Well, coming down the rock is the same. Have faith in yourself and you'll make it down.

on 11/22/2005 This hike is very tiring, and it will exhaust you no matter how well prepared you are. But, don't give up. It is half physical, half mental. Keep putting one foot in front on the other (unless you're sure a little rest and water won't help). Some people get tired and give up, thinking they won't make it all the way just because they're tired halfway through the hike. Remember, you will have a half hour to an hour of rest at the top.

on 11/22/2005 The "hike" up the shoulder of Halfdome can be quite slippery because of zillions of little pebbles and tiny gravel. So, don't wear sneakers or shoes that are somewhat smooth. If you do, you will have to constantly worry about sliding and falling.