Half Dome 2012

[squatpuke]

Somehow my simple little weekday (in less popular August) Cables permit for 2 with NPS didn't shine in the Kings eye...despite 7 different weekday alternatives...

If anyone has any openings for any date this season, I would be most interested....


I have to wonder how in the world this selection process really works and how many peeps manipulate the system...there has to be hundreds if not thousands of duplicate permits handed to larger groups who applied multiple times... :SB:


grrrrr

[azbackpackr]

The way I'd solve this problem is to research some non-touristy areas of the Sierras, instead of going to the traffic jams and smog of Yosemite. I will recommend one for you, a regular car campground near Lone Pine: Horseshoe Meadows.

[toddak]

SP - I see you're an intermediate climber, you might consider an easy technical rockclimbing route to the top called Snake Dike, then returning via the cables and normal hiking route. Per the YNP webpage FAQs on Half Dome permits: "Technical rock climbers ascending Half Dome without entering the subdome area do not need a permit to descend the cables." The subdome is the area immediately below the cables, and Snake Dike goes up the southwest shoulder, far removed from the cables.

The route has one 5.7 move, the rest of the technical pitches are quite easy, the last 1000' to the summit is 3rd class. I've climbed the route 3 times, it's fantastic, plus you only have to deal with the cable mobs in one direction. The summer is still a ways out so I can't absolutely commit, but I might well be interested in a Yosemite road trip sometime. PM me if you're interested.

[Hippy]

We are so heading out to Yosemite in August...just saying! Roadtrip to Tahoe NV and on our way home we're swinging through Yosemite, meet you there! haha that'd be fun!
as for cable permits... :tt:
pain in my bum! no further comment needed!!!!!

[Hippy]

hey SP where is a good hike out in Yosemite during August? We can't do any technicals but we will have at least 2 days out there!
should we reserve a campspot???? i've never camped at yosemite so i'm clueless.

[chumley]

There are some fcfs campspots held each day at some of the campgrounds, but if you know when you're going, I highly recommend making a reservation.
http://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm

[Hippy]

@chumley thanks! We are going mid-august. driving up to Genoa/Tahoe NV for my cousin's wedding on Aug 11th and have until the 14th to get home so figured we'd swing by Yosemite on the way back!!

[chumley]

In the event you are shut out of staying in Yosemite, the park is surrounded by national forests, which each offer FS campgrounds, as well as dispersed camping (check with each one for locations, restrictions, etc.)

The forests can provide a "base camp" that's within a short drive to hikes and sightseeing inside the park, even if you can't get a campsite in the park.

Northwest: Stanislaus NF
Southwest: Sierra NF
East: Inyo NF

[John9L]

Hey Larry...sorry to hear about not getting any Half Dome permits. I wonder how many guides apply for 10+ multiple times. You know it happens.

I still highly recommend going to Yosemite. The park is amazing! And seeing those waterfalls in heavy flow is truly breathtaking! The crowds are a pain but you can deal with it. Just remember you see less people the farther back you hike. I'll be making my fifth trip to the park in late June. I can't wait! Hopefully I don't have any restrictions with my recent setback.

Let me know if you want to talk before your trip. I'll give you a run down on the park and will mention some hikes to check out.

[Hippy]

@John9L hey! we have 2 days out there can you suggest some non technical hikes, we also will have our mountain bikes with us, do you know of any easy trails to ride?
we'll be going august 12-13th ish

[John9L]

Hi Haley

For only two days, spend as much time as possible in Yosemite Valley. Start by getting some maps of Yosemite and start familiarizing yourself with the layout of the park. Come up with a game plan on what you want to do. You don't have much time. Don’t just show up. That is what I did on my first trip.

You can ride your bikes around the Yosemite Valley floor. From what I remember, bikes are not allowed on the hiking trails in the park. The valley floor stretches for roughly seven miles and is very bike friendly. They even rent bikes near Curry Village. Bikes are a perfect way to get around and you’ll also get a good feel for the valley.

Here is a brief list of some hikes to check out in order.

1. Mist Trail (7 miles, 2,000 AEG) - This hike takes you past Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. This is also the lower portion of the Half Dome hike. It's the most popular hike in the park. You hike along the Merced River as you gain elevation to the top of both waterfalls. There is some nice swimming above Vernal Falls as long as the river is not flowing too strong. It should be light in mid-August. http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=11449

2. Upper Yosemite Falls (9 miles, 3,000 AEG) - This is another popular hike. You gain a lot of elevation as you work your way up the trail. There are a bunch of spectacular views of the falls as well as Half Dome and Yosemite Valley. I recommend heading all the way up to Yosemite Point. It's roughly a mile past the top of the falls and well worth it! This is one of my favorite hikes I've ever done! http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=11397

3. Lower Yosemite Falls (Less then 1 mile and its paved) - If your in the area and have time, make a quick detour over to the lower portion. Bridalveil Falls are similar with length and time.

4. Glacier Point - Absolutely spectacular views! This is possibly my favorite place on earth. You can hike up from the valley floor (Four Mile Trail or Pohono Trail) or drive your car. It's worth the time getting there. http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=198832 Try to hike over to Sentinel Dome if you drive. It's a short 2 mile round trip hike from the road.

5. Some sites to check out if you can...Olmsted Point, Tunnel View, Ahwahnee Hotel and Mariposa Grove.

I could go on and on but I want to keep this brief. You really can't go wrong with whatever you do. And yeah the crowds can be pain but don't let that discourage you.

John

[Hippy]

@John9L You're awesome! thanks so much! Neither of us has ever been there and this is our first out of state road trip so definitely wanna make it fun and memorable I'll order myself a park map ASAP and plan out a few things here and there, bikes in the valley sounds PERFECT thank you so much
if you have any other random suggestions let me know, we're up for anything!

[Hippy]

hey john, is yosemite road bike friendly at all or should we stick to our mountain bikes to get more from the experience? we have both and can even bring both but why bring 4 bikes if we only really need 2 ;)

[John9L]

I would recommend mountain bikes. Keep in mind I have never biked in Yosemite. The valley floor has a lot of paved multiuse sidewalks. So you can't go wrong with either. I figure a mountain bike can go anywhere a road bike can but not the other way around. This link shows the sidewalks and some bikes. http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/things2do.htm

Here is a link to some available maps. You can save these and print them. The Yosemite Valley map will be very helpful.
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/maps.htm

I'll let you know if I think of anything else. My trip is less then two months away. Can't believe its so close!

[chumley]

I concede that I might be doing this wrong, but it looks like there are at least 6-8 permits available for most weekdays, and over a hundred toward the end of the month. It's only weekends that sold out. Since the maximum number of permits you can request in one group is 6, it seems odd to me that you wouldn't have gotten any of the available days in the lottery. I guess you'll have to risk the 2-day lottery for the last 50 spots.

http://www.recreation.gov/permits//r/en ... roupSize=1

of course, any website that ends in .gov seems destined for a frustrating experience.

[Hippy]

of course, any website that ends in .gov seems destined for a frustrating experience.

[John9L]

There is a new Yosemite Webcam that just became available. It shows Upper Yosemite Falls. This is the first one that I know of that shows a waterfall. This will be great for checking to see the water flow throughout the year.

http://www.yosemiteconservancy.org/webc ... mite-falls

Link to the other webcams...
http://www.yosemiteconservancy.org/webcams

[Hippy]

@John9L thanks for those links wow, the half dome one blows my mind, a friend of mine watched it and said..."ok? what am i looking at?"

lol it was beautiful!!! the color of the rock before the sun set, lovely!
http://halfdome.net/ahwahnee_meadow/201 ... _05_13.mp4