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Backpacking the Iconic Half Dome in Yosemite
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Equipment rental

Your guide offers a full equipment rental—so all you have to do is show up with your clothes! This pack includes everything you might need: backpack, rain cover, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, camping pillow, trekking poles, headlamp, batteries, mug, bowl, & utensils. Price is per person, for the whole trip.

Add more flexibility to your trip

Things come up, and sometimes plans need to be changed. Check out our flexible cancellation options. Booking fees are non-refundable after 48hours in all cases.
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Deposits

When booking a trip, you can either pay for it in full or reserve your spot with a 30% deposit. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

Cancellations

After 48 hours, booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. You can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

Basic
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 90 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 89 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48 hours grace period.
Flexible
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 90 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled 60-89 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after 48 hours grace period.
Super Flexible
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 59 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after 48 hours grace period.
Summary
Backpacking the Iconic Half Dome in Yosemite
Itinerary
Backpacking the Iconic Half Dome in Yosemite
Date(s)
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People
1 Person
  • Backpacking the Iconic Half Dome in Yosemite - 1
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    Booking fees
    Group discount
    People
    Cancellation policy
Cancel in the first 48h for free
Reserve your spot with a minimum deposit
Travel and medical insurance available
PRO camping app free for 1 year

  • A 4-day guided backpacking trip into Yosemite's backcountry, built around one goal: the summit of Half Dome. We start at Mono Meadow trailhead, hike through some of the park's wildest terrain, and camp along rivers and creeks before tackling the cables on day three. The permit, all meals from the first evening through the last lunch, and a professional wilderness guide are all included. Expect 23 total miles, full days on the trail, and nights that make the effort more than worth it.

    • We meet at Mono Meadow trailhead for a gear check and introductions before heading into the backcountry. The trail winds through meadows of orange and purple wildflowers, beneath pine forest, and across a cool mountain stream. Somewhere in the distance, Half Dome makes its first appearance—and it’s already pulling you forward. We set up camp at Illilouette Creek, where the evening is yours to wade in, lounge on sunny rocks, or simply do nothing. Dinner is served beside the campfire, and the creek keeps you company through the night.

      Meals: Dinner
      Hiking: 3 mi (4.8 km)
      Elevation: +120 ft (+37 m) / -890 ft (-271 m)
      Accommodation: Backcountry tent camp at Illilouette Creek

      Campsite in Yosemite

    • After breakfast and coffee at camp, we ford Illilouette Creek and hike across a wide western meadow—keep your eyes open for rattlesnakes basking in the sun or a bear moving through the brush. Half Dome gets closer with every mile. We stop for lunch at the top of Nevada Fall, one of Yosemite’s most dramatic waterfalls, where the brave can walk right to the brink and peer over the edge. We make camp along the Merced River in the afternoon, with Half Dome looming directly above the tents. Sleep comes slowly tonight.

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
      Hiking: 5 mi (8 km)
      Elevation: +700 ft (+213 m) / -1,150 ft (-350 m)
      Accommodation: Backcountry tent camp along the Merced River

      hikers camp half dome

    • We leave camp behind and head up with light packs. The trail climbs steeply through the forest before breaking out above the treeline, where the views stretch for miles in every direction. At the base of the subdome, we follow a stone staircase carved into the cliffside—and then the cables begin. Your guide will walk you through how to ascend safely, and we do it together, one step at a time. At the top of Half Dome, 8,800 ft above sea level, the views are hard to describe. Back at camp, we celebrate with a swim in the river.

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
      Hiking: 7 mi (11.3 km)
      Elevation: +2,700 ft (+823 m) / -2,700 ft (-823 m)
      Accommodation: Backcountry tent camp along the Merced River

      happy hikers half dome

    • The last morning, we look up at Half Dome one more time over breakfast—and it looks different now that you’ve been to the top. The trail back to the trailhead offers a couple of solid climbs, each with viewpoints to turn around and take it all in. We stop for lunch on the shady bank at Illilouette Creek before pushing through to Mono Meadow. Back at the trailhead, you say goodbye to your new friends and head home a card-carrying member of the Half Dome Hikers Club.

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch
      Hiking: 8 mi (12.9 km)
      Elevation: +2,040 ft (+622 m) / -820 ft (-250 m)

      John Muir Trail in Yosemite

    • Included:

        • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area with Wilderness First Responder and CPR certification
        • 4 days of backpacking in Yosemite
        • Accommodation for 3 nights in individual tents (wilderness camping)
        • Individual tents
        • Permit to reach the top of Half Dome
        • All meals (from first night’s dinner to last day’s lunch)
        • All snacks, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and desserts
        • Group camping gear (shared gear, bear canisters, water filters, cookware, first-aid kit, water filters, stoves, pots & pans, emergency GPS device, maps, tarp etc.)
        • Transportation between parking/backpackers campground and the trailhead

      Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):

        • Equipment rental (backpack, rain cover, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, camping pillow, trekking poles, headlamp, batteries, mug, bowl, & utensils)

      Not included:

        • Transportation to Yosemite (public transportation to trailhead available)
        • Personal gear & clothing, including sleeping bag, sleeping mat, backpack, etc. (most of it can be rented at checkout)
        • Guide gratuities — optional, but recommended (usually 10-20% of the trip cost)
        • Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout

    • To join this Half Dome backpacking tour, great fitness is required. You’ll be hiking up to 7–8 miles (11–13 km) per day while carrying a 30–40 lb pack, with up to 2,700 ft (820 m) of elevation gain on summit day. If you can jog four miles comfortably, you’re likely in the right shape.

      Training is strongly recommended before the trip. A good starting point is 6-mile hikes with 2,000+ ft of elevation gain while wearing a weighted pack. Stair machines and treadmill hiking at a high incline are also effective. The better prepared you are, the more you’ll enjoy it.

      Want to see what else is there in the area? Check out more Yosemite hiking tours here!

    • Backpacking gear

        • Backpack (70L) — available to rent
        • Backpack rain cover
        • Sleeping bag (rated 20-30°, must compress into your backpack) — available to rent
        • Sleeping pad — available to rent
        • Waterproof stuff sack for sleeping bag
        • Waterproof stuff sack for clothing
        • Trekking poles — available to rent
        • Headlamp — available to rent
        • Water bottle or hydration bladder (3L total)
        • Small microfiber towel

      Clothing & footwear:

        • Trail running shoes or breathable boots, already broken in
          • The route to the top of Half Dome is steep, smooth, and slippery. Bring boots with strong grip or trail running shoes with very sticky, new treads. Some people change into climbers “approach shoes”
        • Grippy gloves
          • The route to the top of Half Dome requires adventurers to grasp onto a wide metal cable. Bring well-fitting work or climbing gloves that allow you to grip the cable well and protect your hands
        • Rain coat
        • Rain pants — optional, check weather forecast
        • Hiking socks
        • Underwear
        • Running shorts
        • Hiking pants — optional, check forecast
        • Hiking shirt (synthetic, lightweight)
        • Mid-layer shirt (or fleece, optional if you have a warm jacket)
        • Packable puffy jacket (down or lightweight synthetic)
        • Sun hat
        • Sunglasses
        • Swimsuit
        • Water shoes — tight-fitting sandals for wading
        • Warm pajamas
        • Warm wool socks
        • Warm knit cap
        • Buff/gaiter

      Personal items:

        • Cup or mug — available to rent
        • Bowl — available to rent
        • Spoon — available to rent
        • Toiletries — keep kit as small as possible, must fit into an already-packed bear canister
        • Bathroom kit must-haves
          • Toilet paper
          • Hand sanitizer
          • Lightweight trowel
          • Toothbrush & toothpaste
          • Blister protection
        • Sunscreen
        • SPF chapstick
        • Bug spray
        • Mosquito head net
        • Duct tape
        • Bags (one garbage bag and a few ziplock bags)

      Optional items:

        • Ear plugs
        • Phone battery
        • Mini inflatable pillow
        • Air mattress repair kit
        • Lighter
        • Small pocket knife
        • Trail running gaiters
        • Warm gloves
        • Cash

      Got everything you need? Grab your gear through Active Junky and earn cash back on top outdoor brands — plus a $10 bonus on your first $25+ purchase. Shop now at Active Junky!

    • Yes, your guide offers a full rental package—you can add it to your booking at checkout! 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:

        • Backpack
        • Rain cover
        • Sleeping bag
        • Sleeping pad
        • Camping pillow
        • Trekking poles
        • Headlamp
        • Batteries
        • Mug, bowl, & utensils

    • Group sizes and prices:

        • For this Half Dome hiking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 7:1.
        • Minimum number of people for the tour to run is so low that your guides have never needed to cancel a trip. Due to frequent last minute sign-ups, a trip will not be canceled until 30 days before departure.

      Half Dome hiking can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

      Min. age requirements:

        • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
        • Minors older than 15 and younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

      If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

    • A single tent is the standard on this Half Dome hiking tour, and it’s already included in the price.

    • Yosemite only authorizes permit dates 5 months in advance. If you books this trip more than 5 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 insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

      Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

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