CA - Half Dome via JMT – John Muir Trail

Distance: 14.5 miles Elevation Gain: 4800 ft Difficulty: Strenuous Type: Out-and-Back Surface: Dirt/Rock Activity: Hiking Best Season: May-October Typical Time: 10-14 hours Fee: $35 vehicle Dogs: False Permit: True

Half Dome via the JMT is one of the most celebrated and challenging day hikes in the United States, ascending from Yosemite Valley to the summit of Half Dome at 8,839 feet via the same trail corridor used by JMT thru-hikers at approximately mile 8 of that route. The final 400 feet of the ascent relies on fixed steel cables bolted into the near-vertical granite face, an exhilarating and exposed climb that demands a firm grip and steady nerves.

The round-trip journey passes Nevada Fall, climbs through the Sub Dome, and culminates at one of the most recognizable geological formations on Earth. The summit plateau offers extraordinary 360-degree views encompassing Yosemite Valley, Tenaya Canyon, and the peaks of the High Sierra stretching south toward the JMT corridor. A strict lottery permit system limits daily summit hikers to protect both the resource and visitor safety. Lightning is a serious hazard on the exposed cables and summit, and hikers should descend immediately if storms develop. Gloves are strongly recommended for the cable section, which can be intensely crowded on summer weekends.