AboutJon Expertise I hike Yosemite several times a year & have done all the rim trails. Have done 1/2 Dome 11 times. Familiar with facilities/camping/concessions in the park. I do not do climbing.
Expert: Jon Date: 4/14/2008 Subject: 5-6 day Yosemite hiking
Question My friend and I are experienced backpackers in good shape and are interested
in the half-dome. How long does this trail usually take, we'll be going in the 1st
week of June and would appreciate any recommendations.
Answer Please accept my apologies in being slow in getting back. In Victoria, B.C. for 40th anniversary.
You are in for a treat. I will give my experience. I usually start an hour before 1st light, hiking with a flashlight. From Happy Isles, cross the street bridge, and turn right (careful on the steep dirt in the dark). You will find the sign pointing up the trail (partial hardtop). Might take you 20 minutes to 1/2 hour to get to base of Vernal Falls. Use bathroom. Refill water if needed. Once you head back on the trail, watch carefully for sign to John Muir trail rather than Mist Trail. They key to backpacking is many little steps, Mist is large blocks of granite.
I usually take about 5 liters of water. Total may take you a little more than 2 hours to reach Nevada Falls -- great view. If you go a little beyond the bridge, you can go down to a lookout that a lot of people miss.
From there you will go up a little rise, then down into Little Yosemite (flats). 2 sets of toilets available at different points. Once across flats, ascending the ridge is than hardest part, not steep by slow and long.
Once on top of the ridge you will go across the ridge to the shoulder of Half Dome or the "stone mountain." DO NOT ASCEND EITHER THIS SHOULDER OR HALF DOME IF YOU HAVE CLOUDS OR THUNDERSTORMS. Not only will you get in trouble with the ranger, you may be hit by lightning. Once up shoulder, you will go across a little swale where you will see cables. Be sure you have dot gloves (cloth with rubber dots) to grip the cables. Take your time and rest every or every other board. I like this because you have used your legs up to now, and now can use your arms. Great view on top. Watch out for Marmots trying to grab your lunch. If you look toward Tuolumne Meadows you may see the black mountain (Mt Dana I believe, 13,100ft.), another great hike, but across granite. Will also see red shale Mt. Gibbs (12,750) not recommended because no trails.
From Valley floor to on top will take anywhere between 4 and 6 hours. I usually get up in 5 or 5 1/2, and I do not kill myself, but take my time.
