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!