Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
onmental impact by using the composting toilets and packing out all your trash. This
overused area is rife with bears as well as aggressive squirrels and stellar blue jays,
so keep an eye on your food. During the summer, a ranger is stationed just east of the
campground on the other side of Sunshine Creek; a marked spur trail leads to the sta-
tion off the JMT shortly after leaving the campground.
After leaving Little Yosemite Valley (6,140 feet), ascend moderately for 2.2
miles to the juncture with the Half Dome Trail (7,020 feet). Bypass the sign for the
ranger station and continue climbing. The climb is moderately gradual until reaching
the last half mile, which is a bit of a rock scramble up the northeast shoulder of the
mountain. At times, the path is difficult to discern in the rock, but well-placed cairns
keep you from losing your way. Basically as long as you keep going up, up, up,
you're going the right way. Finally, reach the famed Half Dome cables. From late
May to mid-October, two steel ropes are suspended at waist height from pipes set in
the rock to assist the climb. There are also intermittent wooden cross boards that
provide a much-needed ledge to rest upon while attempting the ascent up the
45-degree rock face. Do not attempt the climb when the cables aren't in place, as the
rock is deceptively slick.
Choose a set of gloves from the pile at the base of the cables if you don't have
your own, as serious cable burns are inevitable for the gloveless. For those with a
fear of heights, the cable ascent can be a breathtaking experience, and we don't just
mean the view. Take it slowly, as the cables are crowded in the peak season, and you
may need to allow others to pass. The one consolation is that finally your arms get
the workout instead of your legs. At the top, reach a wide expanse of nearly level
rock stretching over five acres. For the brave of heart, belly up to the narrow over-
hanging northwest point, dubbed the Diving Board (8,836 feet), and stick your head
over for an amazing view of the rock wall, maybe even coming face to face with a
rock climber. Many rock climbers scale up the sheer face of the dome and “walk off
the rock,” meaning that they will hike down the same way you will.
Enjoy epic views in every direction: over the valley, back toward Cloud's Rest
and the Sierra Crest. Tempting though it may be, camping is forbidden on the top of
Half Dome. This is to protect the fragile ecosystem that is constantly being
threatened by human waste, burned trees, and rocks being moved around for wind
shelter. There is, however, a suitable (but dry) campground on the northeast shoulder
about half a mile down on the trail from the summit.
Return the way you came. If you opt to descend via the gentler JMT from the
top of Nevada Falls, follow the JMT over the footbridge crossing the Merced River
and continue descending toward Clark Point. The observation point is named after
Galen Clark, a homesteader who moved to Yosemite in 1853 after being diagnosed
