Half Dome Hiking - Permit - Exploring My Life

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Half Dome Hiking - Permit


Half Dome is the signature landmark of Yosemite National Park in California. This 16 mile round-trip takes all day and brings hikers beside majestic waterfalls and to the top of the unique granite monolith, 8842 feet above sea level. While this is one of the most strenuous day hikes in the park.
Hiking to the top is a taxing ordeal, taking about 12 hours. It is one of the most popular hikes in the USA (as well as dangerous). This hike in total is about 16 miles round trip depending on the trails used. Day hikers will begin their journey in Happy Isles and ascend via the steep Mist Trail next to both Vernal, then NevadaFall, each via 700 man-carved granite steps. This hike culminates with the cable system, erected in 1919 where you will climb the last 425 vertical feet using a 1/2-inch steel cable handrail. It is a guaranteed adrenalin rush.  you will have unparallel views of Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, El Capitan, Clouds Rest, Tenaya Canyon, and pretty much the entire Yosemite  Valley.
Despite an 1865 report declaring that it was "perfectly inaccessible, being probably the only one of the prominent points about the Yosemite which never has been, and never will be, trodden by human foot," George Anderson reached the summit in 1875, in the process laying the predecessor to today's cable route.
The Half Dome cables usually go back up the Friday before Memorial Day (conditions permitting) and come down the day after Columbus Day.

Half Dome Permits for Day Hikers :

Permits to hike to the top of Half Dome are required seven days per week when the cables are up More Info on http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdpermits.htm

A maximum of 300 hikers will be allowed (about 225 day hikers and 75 backpackers) each day on the Half Dome Trail beyond the base of the sub dome.

On each preseason lottery application, people can apply for up to six permits (six people) and for up to seven dates. Applications will only be successful if the number of permits requested is available on at least one of the requested dates. If enough permits are available for more than one of the requested dates, permits will be automatically awarded to the highest priority date, as entered by the applicant. Applicants may apply as the trip leader only once per lottery. Multiple applications with the same trip leader will be removed from the lottery.
Preseason Lottery : Two hundred and twenty-five permits for each day were available through a preseason lottery. The application period for this lottery was from March 1, 2013 to March 31, 2013. Applicants will receive an email with lottery results on April 15 (or can get results online or by calling Recreation.gov). We are planning on the Half Dome cables being up May 24, 2013 through October 14, 2013, but these dates could change based on conditions.
Daily Lottery : Approximately 50 permits will be available each day by lottery during the hiking season. The daily lotteries will have an application period two days prior to the hiking date with a notification late that night.  The application period will be from midnight to 1 pm Pacific time.

How to Apply for a Permit : To apply for a permit, visit Recreation.gov or call 877/444-6777 (call center is open from 7 am to 9 pm Pacific time; online requests can be made any time during a lottery period).


Fees : Two separate fees are collected. The first fee, which is charged at the time you submit an application, is $4.50 (online) or $6.50 (by phone). This non-refundable fee, which is per application (not per person), is charged by Recreation.gov for the costs of processing your permit application. The second fee is $8 per person and is charged only when you receive a permit.
View from the Top of Half Dome

Check my video below, which I took from top of Half Dome

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