What are the odds of getting a Half Dome permit?
I hiked it in 2017 and there were 26,943 applications with a total success rate of 19%. The year prior had a success rate of 25% and 2015 saw a 35% success rate. As you can see (2020 being the exception), the odds seemingly increase annually. The more popular Half Dome gets, the less likely you are to secure a permit.
How many people climb Half Dome every day?
The park service only issues around 350 permits per day for the cable section (225 for day hikers via the March lottery, 75 for backpackers, and another 50 or so given out via lottery two days in advance), and not all the permit holders show up, so there will usually be less than 350 climbers.
How hard is it to get a permit to hike Half Dome?
Permits are awarded in a preseason lottery for the entire summer hiking season. During a “typical year,” a maximum of 300 permits are awarded per day, with 225 for day hikers and 75 for backpackers. Applications are accepted during the month of March, regardless if you are hiking in June or September.
How many permits do you need for Half Dome?
The quota for Half Dome permits for backpackers is about 75 permits per day. The cost for Half Dome permits is $10 per person, payable at a wilderness center the day of or day before your trip, and is therefore not refundable.
Can a beginner climb Half Dome?
Can a Beginner Climb Half Dome? Climbing Half Dome isn't an adventure recommended for complete beginner hikers (though it is a great motivation goal to get you hiking more). The cable route is considered one of the most dangerous hikes in a U.S. national park.
How hard is Half Dome lottery?
Preseason lottery success rate for 2017 was 19 percent. In 2019, the plan is for the cables to be up from May 24 through October 15, so that's 144 days when hikers will be able to summit Half Dome. Only 43,200 people will be able to hike Half Dome each year.
Can you sell your Half Dome permit?
Half Dome day use hiking permits are available only through lotteries on Recreation.gov. Half Dome day use hiking permits are not available at any office in Yosemite National Park. Half Dome day use hiking permits are valid for a single day from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Permits are not transferable.
Can you get Half Dome permits day of?
Daily Lottery Additional permits are available each day by lottery during the hiking season. These permits are available based on the estimated rate of under-use and cancellation of permits. The daily lotteries have an application period two days prior to the hiking date with a notification late that night.
Can you do Half Dome without permit?
If you plan to hike Half Dome, you must have a permit. For day hikers, permits are available by lottery in March, with a limited number available two days in advance. Backpackers, including those who want to camp in Little Yosemite Valley, should request a Half Dome permit with their wilderness permit.
What time should you start Half Dome?
If you're new to hiking and not sure how conditioned you are, aim to start around 4-5am. You may be starting your hike in the dark, but it's much better than ending your hike in the dark. The first time I hiked Half Dome it took me nearly 7 hours just to make it to Little Yosemite Valley.
Can multiple people apply for Half Dome lottery?
Backpackers -- including those who want to spend the night in Little Yosemite Valley -- should apply for Half Dome permits with their wilderness permit. On each preseason lottery application, people can apply for up to six permits (six people) and for up to seven dates.
How long should you train for Half Dome?
The trek up the underrated sub-dome is no joke and at the end of that strenuous journey you are faced with the final 400 foot ascent up two steel cables. Practice these 7 exercises 6-8 weeks before your trip and you will hopefully be able to enjoy the view rather than begging your legs to get you up one more step.
How many people climb Half Dome every year?
50,000 hikersIn past years, as many as 1,000 hikers per day have climbed the dome on a summer weekend, and about 50,000 hikers climb it every year.
Do people climb Half Dome?
The most well-known rock formation in Yosemite National Park (perhaps even the United States), Half Dome is one of the most sought after climbs for hikers and rock climbers alike. Half Dome rises 4,737 feet above Yosemite Valley at an elevation of 8,844 feet above sea level.
Can Half Dome be done in one day?
Most hikers take 10 to 12 hours to hike to Half Dome and back; some take longer. If you plan on hiking during the day, it's smart to leave around sunrise (or earlier) and then have a non-negotiable turn-around time.
Is Angels Landing or Half Dome scarier?
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.
What do you need to show a half dome permit?
The permit holder or alternate must show a government-issued identification card that matches the permit holder or alternate listed on the Half Dome permit at the permit checkpoint.
How high is Half Dome in Yosemite?
Yosemite National Park. Rising nearly 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley and 8,800 feet above sea level, Half Dome is a Yosemite icon and a great challenge to many hikers. Despite an 1865 report declaring it was "perfectly inaccessible, being probably the only one of the prominent points about the Yosemite which never has been, and never will be, ...
How long does it take to hike Half Dome?
It takes most people 10 to 12 hours to hike to Half Dome and back. If you plan on hiking during the day, it's smart to leave before or at sunrise. You should have a non-negotiable turn-around time (i.e., if you're not at the summit by a certain time, you'll turn around).
What to do while hiking in Yosemite National Park?
While on your hike. Do not leave gloves or other trash at the base of the cables. Do not feed animals. Proper food storage is required at all times. Do not leave food or scented items unattended unless they are stored in a Yosemite National Park allowed bear canister.
When are half dome cables put up?
The Half Dome cables are put up each spring and taken down each fall, typically from the Friday before Memorial Day through the Tuesday after Columbus Day. These dates are conditions dependent and may vary from year to year. You must have a permit to ascend the subdome steps or Half Dome cables.
How many times can you apply for a lottery ticket?
An applicant may apply as a permit holder or accept as an alternate permit holder only once per lottery.
What type of boots are needed for cable fishing?
Boots with sufficient ankle support and traction as well as protective gloves for the cables are recommended.
How many permits are there in Yosemite in 2021?
According to the Recreation.gov website, in 2021 this number is limited to a total of 200 permits per day (the decrease in permits may be COVID related). However, one of our readers spoke to a Yosemite park ranger and was told that the permit number for 2021 is still 300 per day. You can read his comment in the comment section at the end of this post.
How many permits are there for Half Dome?
The Half Dome Permit: How to be One of the Lucky Lottery Winners. If you have plans to hike to Half Dome, you must have a Half Dome permit. A maximum of 300 permits are awarded per day in a lottery system.
How many days before hiking date can you apply for lottery tickets?
If you are unsuccessful in getting a pre-season lottery ticket, you can apply for a daily lottery ticket, which is awarded two days before your anticipated hiking date.
How old do you have to be to go to Half Dome?
What if you plan to visit Half Dome with kids? The youngest age we would recommend is 12 years old, and that is only if your child has lots of prior hiking experience and is very physically fit. When I spoke to the supervisor at recreation.gov, they told me that children can be listed on the permit application. I was told that there was no minimum age. However, if your child is listed on the permit, you will need to bring a government-issued ID as their form of identification.
How many percent of half domes are successful in 2020?
In more recent years, your chances of getting a Half Dome permit actually improved, with a 28% success rate in 2019 and a 36% success rate in 2020. But we all know that 2020 was not a normal year.
What was the chance of getting a permit in 2016?
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.
How many times can a team leader apply for a lottery?
The team leader is only allowed to apply once per lottery. If you apply multiply times, all of your applications will be removed from the lottery. The trip leader or the alternate person listed on the application must be present at the sub-dome when the permits are checked.
How long is the North Dome Trail?
The North Dome trail is also shorter, at just under 9 miles, so you’ll have plenty of time to savor the summit views. For a different experience, you can also hike to the top of Yosemite Falls without a permit on the Upper Yosemite Falls trail.
How much does it cost to get a half dome permit in Yosemite?
First, you will have to pay a non-refundable application fee (per application, not per person) of $10. This covers the cost of processing your application, and it is not refundable, even if you do not receive a permit through the lottery.
What is the half dome hike?
The Ultimate Half Dome Hike Guide: A Complete Step-By-Step Playbook of Yosemite’s Epic Half Dome Trail | The Half Dome Hike in California is one of Yosemite National Parks most well-known and popular hiking trails (and for a good reason). This full guide covers absolutely everything you need to know to attempt a safe summit up the trail, ...
How many hikers can you take on Yosemite?
Yosemite Wilderness Permits (backpacking/also an application/lottery system) A maximum of 300 hikers each day during the cable season ( which includes about 225 day-hikers and 75 backpackers) are allowed past the base of the Subdome on the Half Dome trail to attempt the summit.
How far is Half Dome?
For a very brief overview, the Half Dome hike is roughly a 14-mile hike with roughly 5,300 feet of elevation gain that offers incredible views of Yosemite Valley from the summit. However, to get to the summit you’ll have to make it up the “Half Dome cables”, a feat that not all hikers can stomach (especially if you’re afraid of heights, so keep this in mind before attempting Half Dome). The cables are put up during the main hiking season to help hikers reach the top of Half Dome safely. You need a permit for Half Dome in order to climb these cables. You can hike to Sub Dome without a permit.
Why do you need a permit to climb Half Dome?
Because of the popularity and the precarious nature of climbing the cables to reach the summit, especially when it is crowded, a permit is required to hike Half Dome during the season when the cables are up. This helps keep the summit from becoming a crazy house.
How long is the Clouds Rest Trail?
The Clouds Rest Trail is an 18-mile hike with 6,300 feet of elevation gain which actually follows the same trail as the Half Dome hike at the start, passing through Vernal Falls, the Mist Trail, and Little Yosemite Valley. At the sub dome, it splits off to a different summit with a spectacular view of Yosemite.
How many people can climb Half Dome?
Currently Yosemite National Park allows a maximum of 400 people to hike the famous summit every day. This number is already significantly lower than the crowds of as many as 1,200 people who would climb Half Dome in a single day before the permit system went in to effect. If the proposal is passed, the number of permits issued would be reduced starting in 2013. A major reason for limiting the number of hikers on Half Dome is overcrowding. The permit system has helped make the climb up Half Dome much less crowded in years past, but bottlenecks still occur and can cause hazardous conditions. The new proposal was prompted in part by the death of one hiker on Half Dome last summer. Reducing crowding also helps make the climb safer, particularly when bad weather makes the trek more treacherous. Limiting the number of hikers will also help protect Half Dome from the wear and tear that so many footsteps can cause. By limiting the number of visitors to the Half Dome summit now, the National Park Service hopes to preserve the trail for more hikers in the future.
Is there a half dome permit?
Unfortunately, the current limitations on Half Dome permits have already made valid permits hard to come by. Half Dome is one of Yosemite National Park's most famous and popular features, and many visitors who don't plan ahead are now forced to miss out on the famous hike. The scarcity of Half Dome permits has also made scalping of permits a significant problem. Permits are available for free from the National Park Service, but people who wait too long to reserve theirs sometimes try to obtain permits illegally through Craigslist and other online vendors. The NPS has come down hard on people who buy scalped permits in an effort to stop the trend.
Enter the Dayhike Permit Lottery
Whether dayhiking Half Dome or hiking the cable route to its summit on a backpacking trip, advancing beyond the base of the sub-dome (below the cables) on the Half Dome Trail requires a permit every day during the season when the cables are up, which is generally from the Friday before Memorial Day through Columbus Day (the second Monday in October).
Backpack to Half Dome
Instead of seeking a dayhiking permit, you can include Half Dome on a multi-day backpacking permit. In Yosemite, wilderness permit reservations are issued based on trailhead quotas.
Train Smartly
Dayhiking Half Dome from the usual starting point, the Happy Isles Trailhead in Yosemite Valley, entails about 16 miles round-trip with 4,800 feet of elevation gain and loss.
Hike Light
As with backpacking, traveling light when dayhiking helps you move faster and maintain your stamina longer, and a few pounds can make a difference. Your daypack’s weight matters and will mostly consist of food, water, and clothing layers, none of which you need to overpack.
