2009 - solo(?). My experience is why the have instituted a lottery day-hike permit system. The trail was like a conveyor belt. It was rather fun watching tourists freaking out on the cables.
Don't let people try to scare you about the rails--it's not that big of a deal. The view is well-worth it!
orbitor - Jan 28, 2013 5:03 pm Date Climbed: Oct 6, 2012
From JMT via the Cables
Second time on top, again at the beginning of October, right before the cables go down. Weather held and no crowds at all. Seems hard to say it, but Half Dome can be enjoyed if the timing of the hike is right. Cables were exhilarating as always.
slychels04 - Jan 1, 2013 10:56 am Date Climbed: Aug 23, 2010
Standard Hiking Route Via Cables
Hiking to the top of Half Dome was an amazing day trip. I did not realize what i was getting into when i started on the trail early that morning. The cable climb was a lot more challenging than I was led to believe by my friends. I would bring along better gloves if I were attempting this again. Although it was a weekday it was very crowded and some people were quite rude pushing their way past others. I noticed that many people attempt this unprepared bringing along nothing but a water bottle!
Fairweather - Oct 27, 2012 11:25 am Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2012
Snake Dike
Fairly exhausting day from Upper Pines Campground. Took the longer approach through Little Yosemite. Climbed with Todd, 25 years to the month after climbing it with Suzi.
Also 4 times up the trail - with John & others.
emilie - Oct 22, 2012 12:36 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2012
Cables route
Four time up Half Dome. Three previous were day hikes from the valley. This time I was guiding a group of female backpackers and we summitted Half Dome on day 3. Very humane way to do it. We were on top before 8am and no crowds due to early summit, midweek, and the permit system. Definitely a Yosemite classic that must be experienced. Hopefully Snake Dike is in the near future...
labgloves - Oct 1, 2012 2:55 am Date Climbed: Sep 30, 2012
With Clouds Rest from Sunrise
Hot Sept day
elianestar12 - Sep 27, 2012 3:04 pm Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2012
Solo Half Dome hike
Half Dome hike = my solo soul-searching mission. Maybe Snake Dike one day???
Yosemite love
drewmorse - Sep 25, 2012 4:26 am Date Climbed: Sep 23, 2012
A Perfect Peak Bagged
Climbed Half Dome with my brother and a friend. A strenuous adventure, well worth the tired muscles!
AJHerrm - Aug 15, 2012 2:53 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2012
Second Time
Hiked from Yosemite Valley to the top and back from 6:30am to 3:00pm. We were concerned about afternoon thunderstorms but it ended up being a beautiful day. We enjoyed Vernal and Nevada Falls on the way back and a dip in the Merced to cool off.
countrykyle - Aug 7, 2012 2:49 pm Date Climbed: Oct 17, 2009
Sunrise climb
Watched the sunrise from the base of the cables
RickF - Jul 26, 2012 10:58 am Date Climbed: Jul 9, 2012
Very Gratifying
I first attempted Half Dome in 2007, very casually with my wife on an anniversary get-away trip. When arriving at the huge crowds at the bottom of the cables I turned back.
This time, the new permit system seems to really have reduced the number of people. There's still some waiting for slower moving people, both up and down on the cables, but nothing like it was in 2007. Despite the permanent "aid" (the cables) and all the criticism of the route being for tourists I really enjoyed it. But then I also enjoy the Main Mt. Whitney Trail.
mg1779 - Jul 18, 2012 1:20 am Date Climbed: May 27, 2007
Backpacked it
Hiked the Mist train to little Yosemite Valley where we left all our heavy stuff. Climbed up the cables and then back down to little Yosemite Valley.
LincolnB - Jul 14, 2012 1:40 am Date Climbed: Jul 8, 2012
Slippery
Started at Tenaya, mostly ran to the base of the climb, then took the cables up. The biggest surprise was how slippery the rock was between the cables, worn smooth by countless thousands of feet -- bring shoes that will grip. Then hiked down to the valley and took the YARTS shuttle back to Tenaya. No scree to soften the descent -- my calves are still sore.
gwave47 - Jul 10, 2012 11:25 am Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2012
Cables from Glacier Point
We started at Glacier Point, took the Cables to the top, then descended via the Mist Trail into the Valley. If you have a shuttle this is a good route, though I would recommend descending the John Muir Trail to avoid the steep decline and the crowds. There was no ranger out checking permits this day either.
I tore up my feet a little on this hike breaking in some mountaineering boots for the first time. Didn't realize that they break you instead. The weather was perfect thoroughly enjoyed the hike.
orbitor - Apr 10, 2012 1:01 pm Date Climbed: Oct 9, 2010
From the Valley via Cables
Redemption after failed 1st attempt in 2006. Great timing at end of summer season - only a third of regular crowd on the trail. Nothing beats the feeling of standing on top after conquering the cables!
ManyGlacierMountaineer - Feb 24, 2013 10:47 pm
Hlaf Dome by Hike2009 - solo(?). My experience is why the have instituted a lottery day-hike permit system. The trail was like a conveyor belt. It was rather fun watching tourists freaking out on the cables.
mebo1126 - Feb 17, 2013 5:38 pm
Not a big dealDon't let people try to scare you about the rails--it's not that big of a deal. The view is well-worth it!
orbitor - Jan 28, 2013 5:03 pm Date Climbed: Oct 6, 2012
From JMT via the CablesSecond time on top, again at the beginning of October, right before the cables go down. Weather held and no crowds at all. Seems hard to say it, but Half Dome can be enjoyed if the timing of the hike is right. Cables were exhilarating as always.
slychels04 - Jan 1, 2013 10:56 am Date Climbed: Aug 23, 2010
Standard Hiking Route Via CablesHiking to the top of Half Dome was an amazing day trip. I did not realize what i was getting into when i started on the trail early that morning. The cable climb was a lot more challenging than I was led to believe by my friends. I would bring along better gloves if I were attempting this again. Although it was a weekday it was very crowded and some people were quite rude pushing their way past others. I noticed that many people attempt this unprepared bringing along nothing but a water bottle!
Fairweather - Oct 27, 2012 11:25 am Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2012
Snake DikeFairly exhausting day from Upper Pines Campground. Took the longer approach through Little Yosemite. Climbed with Todd, 25 years to the month after climbing it with Suzi.
Also 4 times up the trail - with John & others.
emilie - Oct 22, 2012 12:36 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2012
Cables routeFour time up Half Dome. Three previous were day hikes from the valley. This time I was guiding a group of female backpackers and we summitted Half Dome on day 3. Very humane way to do it. We were on top before 8am and no crowds due to early summit, midweek, and the permit system. Definitely a Yosemite classic that must be experienced. Hopefully Snake Dike is in the near future...
labgloves - Oct 1, 2012 2:55 am Date Climbed: Sep 30, 2012
With Clouds Rest from SunriseHot Sept day
elianestar12 - Sep 27, 2012 3:04 pm Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2012
Solo Half Dome hikeHalf Dome hike = my solo soul-searching mission. Maybe Snake Dike one day???
Yosemite love
drewmorse - Sep 25, 2012 4:26 am Date Climbed: Sep 23, 2012
A Perfect Peak BaggedClimbed Half Dome with my brother and a friend. A strenuous adventure, well worth the tired muscles!
AJHerrm - Aug 15, 2012 2:53 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2012
Second TimeHiked from Yosemite Valley to the top and back from 6:30am to 3:00pm. We were concerned about afternoon thunderstorms but it ended up being a beautiful day. We enjoyed Vernal and Nevada Falls on the way back and a dip in the Merced to cool off.
countrykyle - Aug 7, 2012 2:49 pm Date Climbed: Oct 17, 2009
Sunrise climbWatched the sunrise from the base of the cables
RickF - Jul 26, 2012 10:58 am Date Climbed: Jul 9, 2012
Very GratifyingI first attempted Half Dome in 2007, very casually with my wife on an anniversary get-away trip. When arriving at the huge crowds at the bottom of the cables I turned back.
This time, the new permit system seems to really have reduced the number of people. There's still some waiting for slower moving people, both up and down on the cables, but nothing like it was in 2007. Despite the permanent "aid" (the cables) and all the criticism of the route being for tourists I really enjoyed it. But then I also enjoy the Main Mt. Whitney Trail.
mg1779 - Jul 18, 2012 1:20 am Date Climbed: May 27, 2007
Backpacked itHiked the Mist train to little Yosemite Valley where we left all our heavy stuff. Climbed up the cables and then back down to little Yosemite Valley.
LincolnB - Jul 14, 2012 1:40 am Date Climbed: Jul 8, 2012
SlipperyStarted at Tenaya, mostly ran to the base of the climb, then took the cables up. The biggest surprise was how slippery the rock was between the cables, worn smooth by countless thousands of feet -- bring shoes that will grip. Then hiked down to the valley and took the YARTS shuttle back to Tenaya. No scree to soften the descent -- my calves are still sore.
gwave47 - Jul 10, 2012 11:25 am Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2012
Cables from Glacier PointWe started at Glacier Point, took the Cables to the top, then descended via the Mist Trail into the Valley. If you have a shuttle this is a good route, though I would recommend descending the John Muir Trail to avoid the steep decline and the crowds. There was no ranger out checking permits this day either.
trexkerry - Jul 4, 2012 8:11 pm Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2012
Via CablesJust the standard classic hike - dayhike via Mist Trail on the way up and JM Trail on the way down. Not too crowded on the cables. Fun day.
sangus - Apr 10, 2012 6:14 pm Date Climbed: Sep 17, 2011
Perfect DayI tore up my feet a little on this hike breaking in some mountaineering boots for the first time. Didn't realize that they break you instead. The weather was perfect thoroughly enjoyed the hike.
orbitor - Apr 10, 2012 1:01 pm Date Climbed: Oct 9, 2010
From the Valley via CablesRedemption after failed 1st attempt in 2006. Great timing at end of summer season - only a third of regular crowd on the trail. Nothing beats the feeling of standing on top after conquering the cables!
tdburnett - Apr 9, 2012 10:30 pm Date Climbed: Sep 25, 2011
SuccessGreat 17 mile hike to the top of Half Dome with Y-Explore.
lizklevy - Mar 31, 2012 2:45 am Date Climbed: Jul 8, 2011
CablesNice stop along the JMT.