Looming nearly 5,000 ft above Yosemite Valley, Half Dome is that one hike gracing practically every hiker’s wishlist. You’ve seen the pics, you’ve been picturing yourself holding onto cables of its steep face—and now it’s time to go. With this all-inclusive, 4-day backpacking trip, everything is a breeze. Meals, tents, excellent and entertaining guidance — it’s all been dealt with, so you can focus on the hiking. Starting with the spectacular Mist Trail, the thundering Vernal and Nevada waterfalls will provide you with refreshment as you climb up its dreamy staircase. Then it’s time for the absolute highlight of the trip — grabbing onto metal cables and pulling yourself up the steep slope of Half Dome’s monumental granite face. To wrap it up, walk the legendary John Muir Trail, named after a renowned naturalist and conservationist, who claimed that “Nowhere will you find more company of a soothing peace-be-still kind” than in Yosemite.
Climb to the top of one of Yosemite’s most recognizable landmarks
Focus on the views along Yosemite’s all-star trails with an all-inclusive tour
Deep in Yosemite’s backcountry, camp in the shadow of Half Dome and swim in the Merced River
Half Dome is undoubtedly Yosemite’s icon. By joining this 4-day backpacking trip, not only will you climb up this grand batholith rising 5,000 ft above the valley, you’ll also experience the spectacular pre and post-treks: marvel at the powerful waterfalls of Mist Trail when you’re going towards Half Dome and take in Yosemite’s beauty along the John Muir Trail on your way back. This is an all-inclusive trip, meaning that you don’t have to worry about food, guidance, or camping. Your guide even offers renting an equipment kit—meaning that you just need to show up with clothes. Immerse yourself in Yosemite’s unspoiled wilderness, camp out under the stars and in the shadow of mighty Half Dome, and find refreshments in the Merced river!
Arrive to Yosemite and use the day to explore its front country on your own. As the day draws to an end, you’ll meet your guide and your team at the backpackers campground. Go over gear and itinerary, set up camp, and enjoy a hot cooked meal! Get some rest, as tomorrow backpacking begins.
Meals: Dinner
Backpacking the trail to Half Dome begins! Start by climbing up the old stone steps of the famed Mist Trail. As the sun rises and warms the valley, you’ll pass through the refreshing spray of Vernal and Nevada Falls—combined, these two waterfalls reach more than 900 feet (270 m). Swim and camp in the shadow of Half Dome, too filled with anticipation to sleep.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 4 miles / 6.5 km
Elevation: +2,400 ft / +730 m
Get up early in the morning to summit the monumental Half Dome. Only when you get on the cables will you realize just how steep the climb will be! Courageously pull your way to the summit and once you’re there, marvel at the sensational views laid out before you.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 7 miles / 11 km
Elevation: +2,700 ft / +820 m
Pack up camp and spend your last day hiking down the legendary John Muir Trail. Congrats, you’re now members of the Half Dome Hikers Club! Say goodbye to your guide and your team.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Hiking: 5 miles / 8 km
Elevation: +2,400 ft / +730 m
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
Half Dome hiking adventure is welcoming to first-time backpackers as well as engaging for experienced hikers. The trip is moderately paced so that adventurers can enjoy them fully, but it’s still a big climb so decent shape is required. Still, backpacking is hard work, so the itinerary is planned in a way that it leaves enough time for resting, swimming, mindful breaks, games, wildlife viewing, and more.
You’ll be hiking for three days in a row between 4 and 7 miles (6.5-11 km) with the maximum elevation game 2,700 ft (820 m) in a day. The route to the top of Half Dome is steep, smooth, and slippery.
Here’s a list of backpacking gear you need to bring:
Here’s a list of clothes to bring:
Here’s the rest of equipment you need to bring:
Here’s a list of optional items:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. Bring wool or synthetic fabric only, cotton is not allowed.
You’re encouraged to join even if you don’t have any equipment lying around at home. Other than a tent (which is already included in the price), your guides offer a gear rental package containing all the gear you’ll need on this trip. This includes:
You can choose to rent these items at checkout for $245 per trip.
All your meals are included in this tour, from first day’s dinner to last day’s lunch. You will enjoy delicious meals like basil and parmesan polenta, pad Thai, tropical breakfast couscous, pizza, chicken with fig gravy and mashed potatoes… Deserts will also be served! After a good meal, you’ll get to enjoy chocolate lava cake, cookies, and chocolate crepes. Nutritious daily snacks will also be provided.
Let us know if you have any specific dietary requirements or food allergies.
Group sizes and prices:
Half Dome hiking can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
Yosemite only authorizes permit dates 6 months in advance. If you books this trip more than 6 months in advance, keep in mind that the official dates may shift a little bit once Yosemite gives out the permits.
Please, do no book flights or make hotel reservations until the permit is confirmed.
Due to this process, your guide will make an exception to their terms and conditions in case there is any problem with permits. If the dates change, and you can’t make it, your security deposit and trip fees will be completely reimbursed.
To get to Yosemite for your Half Dome hiking tour, the nearest airport is Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) . If you’re visiting the California Coast, you can also fly into San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), or Oakland International Airport (OAK).
Once there, we recommend you rent or drive your own car to the group meeting point in Yosemite. If you’re coming with a car, there’s parking available for the duration of the tour at the park entrance.
It might be practical to stay near Yosemite the night before and after your trip. This ensures you get to the meeting point on time and that you don’t miss a flight on the way out.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.
Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.
We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. For more information on travel recommendations and restrictions in California, please refer to California’s Department of Public Health and California’s travel alerts.
If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Deposits
You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.
Secure your early bird spot with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you will be the first one to know about any new upcoming dates. Pick your preferred dates without the risk of your bucket list adventure selling out!
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:
Basic
Flexible
Super Flexible
For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
Permits and cancellations
If a client books the trip 6 or more months in advance, the dates of the tour may change due to Yosemite’s permit processes. If the client decides that these date don’t suit them, the security deposit and trip fees will be completely reimbursed. The guide will not reimburse any expenses regarding hotel or flight reservations. Please, do not book flights and hotel until permits are confirmed.
Park closures, natural disasters, and weather
Despite thoughtful planning, nature can sometimes create unsafe weather or trail conditions at any time of the year. Though very uncommon, your trip might need to be re-routed or postponed due to dangerous trails, high snow levels, impassable roads, forest fires, disease outbreaks and park closures. If a trip is unable to operate, or if your guides deem a trip unsafe due to circumstances out of our control, there will be no refund given.
Instead of issuing a refund, your guides will devise an alternative itinerary as close as possible to the original trip planned. Although your guides will try hard to create an alternative trip similar to the original, it may be possible that very little, or none, of your original trip will be accessible when using our alternative itinerary. Sometimes an alternative itinerary may require driving further, with no public transportation, to reach the starting point.
Although it has never come to this, if your guides are unable to offer an alternative trip of any kind, instead of a refund, you will be issued a full credit for use on a future trip.
Evacuation
Whether voluntarily, or due to emergency or safety concerns, it is possible that a client may need to leave the trip before the planned finish date.
Your guides will help you arrange your evacuation and see to your safety and comfort. Shuttles, lodges, helicopter and medical transportation, medical care, meals, shipping and many other factors can all play a role in getting you out safely and expeditiously. There will be costs associated with your evacuation, and all costs will be solely your responsibility.
