Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Half Dome

although not Whitney related - nice break from fire and water

After the Moosie Birthday party on Saturday I jammed over to Bakersfield on Sunday to caravan with some friends up to Yosemite to hike Half Dome on Monday. We were surprised to see smoke once we left Fresno and as we got closer to Oakhurst it was obvious that 3 separate fires were burning nearby.


Monday morning we drove into the park to the Happy Isles trailhead and started hike around 7am. We took the Mist trail up and were rewarded with fantastic views of Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. From here the trail goes up into Little Yosemite Valley and passes near the Merced River.This was our first real view of Half Dome and it looked awesome. We took a snack break here and then again at the small seep spring halfway up the dome.





When we reached the base of the cables we were pleasantly surprised to find not many people going up or down at anyone time. We were glad that we scheduled this hike for a non-weekend day. We had heard stories of up to 200 people waiting in line to start up the cables on Saturday and Sunday. Ascending the cables is not too bad on exposure but it is steep and you find yourself resting at small intervals to let your muscles rest. We spent about 2 hours on top socializing with fellow hikers and taking pictures. The trip down can be a little more intimidating for some and there were a few people who were barely moving coming down. With the light crowds it was easy to pass by them without having to jump outside the cables.




the girls stepping out on the diving board


finally time to start back down




After one more break for water at the seep spring we headed back down the trail. Jim and I again took the Mist Trail and were rewarded with fantastic views and misty water to cool off with.
After the hike we all relaxed in Curry Village for a nice deserved dinner.

Nevada Falls


It was 1974 when I was last in the park for a family vacation - hard to believe it took that long to come back. You can bet it is not going to take me 34 more years to return.
rest of the pictures

Great photos..great trip. Looks like you guys had fun. When Marisa and I did it we came down from Glacier Point and then up Half Dome. That hike from Glacier Point down to the intersection with the trail that comes up from the Valley Floor (the Mist Trail) is so beautiful. What a fantastic place..

Looks like a great time, Tom! As I mentioned, I'd like to do Half Dome. Only been to Yosemite once, climbed some great rocks (don't know the names). Even got Dave on rock!!!!! Beautiful place!

MC

Nice pics Tom,
Although I've never been to the top of Half Dome I sure would like to someday!!

Hey Tom,

I was one of those people who were there on Saturday. I don't believe I have ever seen so many people at one time up there. We got a late afternoon storm that caught a number of people out therre on the cables. Glad it wasn't me; by that time I was already back down by Happy Isles.

Hi Sandy -
Those same t-storms that rolled in are what touched off the new fires there. I heard the closed down the cables in the afternoon due to t-storm activity. Glad you got up and down before all that happened.

Beach, MC and Mark -
Thanks for the nice comments. I am missing my G9 camera and happy that my Wal-Mart backup can at least capture a portion of the day. Next time I may try your trip and come down from Glacier Point. Hopefully by next year my foot will be back to 100% - it sure is a frustrating year - watching all my friends get in so many more great climbs. I will be back next year for sure.