YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA :: I’ve wanted to visit Yosemite for a long time. I finally had an opportunity over Memorial Day weekend when a business trip placed me in the Silicon Valley. Kristie would be busy writing a final paper and the weather was going to be perfect. It seemed like all of the stars were aligned, telling me to go. So I packed my bags and decided to take on the legendary hike up Half Dome.
The trail to the top of Half Dome is challenging, to say the least. It climbs 4800’ over approximately 20 miles. My route started at 5:30 AM near Curry Village, the closest available parking I could find on the busy, holiday weekend. From there, it was a mile-long walk just to reach the trailhead. I chose the John Muir Trail on the way up (9.7 miles) and the Mist Trail on the way down (8.2 miles). I highly recommend this route, especially on a very hot day. The JMT is a much gentler ascent, and the cooling mist from Vernal Falls is a refreshing reward waiting near the end of the hike. However, if your knees don’t like walking down stairs, then do the reverse.
Near the summit are a pair of cables which are absolutely necessary for the final 400’ of elevation. At the base of the cables are a pile of gloves. I brought my own and can’t imagine the blisters my hands would have suffered without them. As I pulled my way up, I was literally holding onto those steel ropes for my life. At its steepest, the smooth, granite slope tilts 50 degrees. Occasionally, I looked down and around me, realizing a slip would be a pretty bad thing, and held on tighter. As I heaved myself up another few feet, I hoped it would all be worth it.
It was tough! But it was also one of the most rewarding and absolutely incredible experiences in my life. It took me four and a half hours to reach the top, where I spent an hour and a half enjoying the view, and another six hours to get back down, stopping to take many photos along the way. Amazingly, my body handled the trail surprisingly well. I was barely sore and had enough energy in my legs to walk around San Francisco and Chinatown the following day. The only blister I got was on the inside of my right-middle finger, caused by my trekking poles or by gripping the cables too tightly.
When I finally returned to my car, twelve hours later, I drove up to Glacier Point to survey my accomplishment. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the beautiful Yosemite Valley and majestic Half Dome. The incredible sight was the perfect way to conclude an absolutely amazing day!
Trip report posted with additional discussion at nwhikers.net.
The trail to the top of Half Dome is challenging, to say the least. It climbs 4800’ over approximately 20 miles. My route started at 5:30 AM near Curry Village, the closest available parking I could find on the busy, holiday weekend. From there, it was a mile-long walk just to reach the trailhead. I chose the John Muir Trail on the way up (9.7 miles) and the Mist Trail on the way down (8.2 miles). I highly recommend this route, especially on a very hot day. The JMT is a much gentler ascent, and the cooling mist from Vernal Falls is a refreshing reward waiting near the end of the hike. However, if your knees don’t like walking down stairs, then do the reverse.
Near the summit are a pair of cables which are absolutely necessary for the final 400’ of elevation. At the base of the cables are a pile of gloves. I brought my own and can’t imagine the blisters my hands would have suffered without them. As I pulled my way up, I was literally holding onto those steel ropes for my life. At its steepest, the smooth, granite slope tilts 50 degrees. Occasionally, I looked down and around me, realizing a slip would be a pretty bad thing, and held on tighter. As I heaved myself up another few feet, I hoped it would all be worth it.
It was tough! But it was also one of the most rewarding and absolutely incredible experiences in my life. It took me four and a half hours to reach the top, where I spent an hour and a half enjoying the view, and another six hours to get back down, stopping to take many photos along the way. Amazingly, my body handled the trail surprisingly well. I was barely sore and had enough energy in my legs to walk around San Francisco and Chinatown the following day. The only blister I got was on the inside of my right-middle finger, caused by my trekking poles or by gripping the cables too tightly.
When I finally returned to my car, twelve hours later, I drove up to Glacier Point to survey my accomplishment. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the beautiful Yosemite Valley and majestic Half Dome. The incredible sight was the perfect way to conclude an absolutely amazing day!
Trip report posted with additional discussion at nwhikers.net.
Terrific shots John. A ton of angles/views I haven’t seen before. Sounds like the length of the hike was killer though. Wonderful adventure from the sounds of it.
Breathtaking!
That’s incredible. Not a hike for mere mortals. That’s about the closest I’ll get to half dome, thanks for sharing.
Wow! Great pictures and what an accomplishment. Good for you superfriend. 😉
Wicked cool John. Did you just trade off shots with someone for 3rd row down? I’d be nervous out there on that ledge 🙂