Millions of years ago, Half Dome was larger than it is today, but it never sported a matching half in front of the sheer cliff face. The glaciers carried away about 20 percent of the formation geology buffs like to joke that it was originally an percent dome ; more blocks of rocks cleaved away from the crack over time, leaving the sheer face that park visitors see today.
The heart of the national park sits at the floor of the granite dome, waiting for you to look up as the sunset hits the top of rock face.
Gaze down at Yosemite Valley from the many viewpoints at Glacier Point. Hiking to the top of Half Dome is a very popular but extremely strenuous day hike and does require permits. Visit our Half Dome hiking page to learn more about the lottery for prospective climbers. Our top tip for getting the same views from the top of Half Dome without the hassle of permits? The Panorama Trail — also a full-day hike — is another popular option for those looking for top Yosemite views, especially in spring.
And even when the snow starts falling in Yosemite Valley, you can still get spectacular views of Half Dome. Or take a winter hike near Mirror Lake for stunning views of Half Dome in a winter wonderland setting. Featuring 60 private cabins most with private baths , canvas tent cabins and 18 standard motel rooms, Half Dome Village is not to be missed.
This way is longer and less scenic, but also less steep than the Mist Trail, and worth considering on the return trip if your knees are showing signs of imminent mutiny. While the Mist Trail route is 2. It's not free of switchbacks, but they are much gentler. Although the scenery doesn't match up with the Mist Trail's high standard, the top of the route does provide a remarkable view of Nevada Fall, Liberty Cap, and the back of Half Dome.
If you return to the Mist Trail via the middle fork, you'll be coming out just above Vernal Fall. If you take the lower fork, you'll rejoin the Mist Trail assuming you're on your way down above the Vernal Fall footbridge , which is roughly half a mile downstream from Vernal Fall.
It's probably best as a backpacker's route, with an overnight stay at the Little Yosemite Valley Campground. Little Yosemite Valley Ranger Station is staffed during summer. You can find the ranger station on the north side of the valley, near where the Half Dome Trail begins to climb out of the valley.
Park rangers frequently patrol the trail, so the ranger station is not always staffed. You may need to send some members of your group to Yosemite Valley to get assistance. Black bears frequent Yosemite's Wilderness and are adept at grabbing backpacks from hikers and campers--during both day and night.
Always keep your food within arm's reach or on your back ; never leave it unattended. If you see a bear , act immediately to scare it away: make as much noise as possible by yelling. If there is more than one person, stand together to present a more intimidating figure, but do not surround the bear. Squirrels, Steller's jays, chipmunks, and other animals also live along the trail; never feed them or allow them to get your food.
Do not leave your pack unattended e. Keep wildlife wild: respect them from a distance. Trailhead parking is just beyond Curry Village. Shuttle service doesn't begin until 7 am, so if you're arriving prior to then, you can walk on the road closed to all but authorized vehicles from either parking area to the trailhead. The nearest campgrounds are Upper, Lower, and North Pines Campgrounds, but reservations are very difficult to get in summer. Camp 4 walk-in campground is also busy. The nearest campgrounds outside Yosemite Valley that may have some first-come, first-served space are Bridalveil Creek and Tamarack Flat Campgrounds.
Still have questions? Yosemite Falls Trail. Snow Creek Trail. Four Mile Trail. Explore This Park. Yosemite National Park California. Info Alerts Maps Calendar Reserve.
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