Hike Half Dome | Yosemite National Park

Yexplore

Half Dome Adventures

YExplore has guided tours in Yosemite National Park for groups of all ages in every season. We guarantee smaller rosters for a better experience on your Yosemite tour. We will customize a tour for you with any group size. All tours have a privacy option. See all the categories below and call or email tours@yexplore.com today.

Half Dome Summit Hike - the adventure of a lifetime

Half Dome Summit in One Day $295

Embark on a journey of self discovery during this life altering experience on Half Dome, Yosemite’s most iconic peak.

Half Dome Day Hike

Yosemite Hiking Guide

Every Yosemite summer season begins with a flurry of spring hikes that lead to our busy schedule from June to October. Within those months, I will be leading the Half Dome hike for several of our guests. As an expert on Yosemite and Half Dome, I like to share several pointers along the way that give Half Dome hikers the best opportunity for success on that trek. I will share my Half Dome Hiking Guide with time tested tips along with some new ideas to provide safety for a successful journey up the Half Dome cables. Read more…

Yosemite Half Dome Safety Video

Your first time doing something is always a wonderful feeling. A first time riding a bike or a first kiss are probably two popular life events that come to mind. What about your first time hiking to the top of a mountain? That is a thrill that stays with you for a lifetime. I remember my first time ascending Half Dome with my lifetime friends Ed and Ram. We were joined that day on the summit by our friends Rod and Dave, and the lore from that journey grows every time we tell the tales. That trip sparked my passion for starting YExplore, and every time I lead trips to hike Half Dome, I am sure to prepare my guests for the journey in the best way possible. Which is of course, in many way opposite of how we did it that first time. Hey, you always learn from your mistakes. Read the full story here.

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Yosemite Half Dome Gear Guide

The following Information we share with you to successfully complete a summit hike whether or not you choose to join us for a guided Half Dome adventure.

Food: Calories are energy. Eat all day. Protein and carbohydrates are essential for hiking so it would be wise to eat a fulfilling meal (pasta) the night before and a healthy breakfast (oatmeal, banana) the day of a hike. Please be certain to bring plenty of food. Everyone joining us should bring at least one sandwich for lunch and a variety of the following: trail mix, fruit, dried fruit, nuts, raisins, hard boiled eggs, cheese & crackers, pretzels, energy bars, granola bars, and a chocolate bar (or other fun ‘comfort’ item). You may also want to pack a little extra food because of the length of time spent on the trail. Expect to be on the trail for at least 12 hours. That’s a lot of food and water!

Hydration: Dehydration can be a cause for concern while hiking on the trails in the sun and heat while at higher elevations. It can lead to headaches, dizziness and other potentially dangerous symptoms if not treated properly. Please be certain to bring plenty of water with you on your adventure and start hydrating the day before any strenuous hike. All hikers should bring at least 120 oz. of water (140 oz. would be ideal). A hydration pack is recommended. Please do not begin a strenuous hike with less that 120 oz of liquids (including a 20 oz. bottle of sports drink). Our guides carry over 4 liters of liquids on strenuous hikes in the summer. Water purification pumps and pills are a good fallback option. We provide a water filter on every guided Half Dome hike. Click here to receive even more gear guidance.

More Information on the Half Dome guided hikes

Hike Half Dome with YExplore Summit Club — YExplore Half Dome Summit Club by John P. DeGrazio

Hike Half Dome and attempt the 8842′ Summit with the most experienced Yosemite Guide Service rated highest in customer satisfaction. We break down the hike into manageable sections to help you focus on your goal. We will safely guide your group and give you the best possible chance for success while you learn about the area’s natural history.

2023 Dates for Available Half Dome Permits:

Day Hike: June 27,29; July 16,17; August 11

Join us for a fully educational Guided trip and embark on a journey of self discovery during this life altering experience as you hike Half Dome with our professional team of guides. Panoramic views are as incomparable as the sense of achievement you will feel upon completion of this epic adventure.

Summiting the tallest peak in Yosemite Valley is a major accomplishment, and our experienced guides provide you with interpretation, preparation, trail knowledge, coaching, safety gear, and the benefit of added security for anyone attempting this remarkable feat. We prepare you for the long one-day journey (2 days as a backpack trip), provide insight to the trail, offer assistance on the cables, and help you maintain your confidence throughout the day so you are able to focus on achieving your goal. Join us for a Strenuous Half Dome hiking tour and reward yourself with breathtaking views and a true sense of fulfillment.

Yosemite-HalfDome-Cables-DeGrazio-568 — The fabled Half Dome Cables in Yosemite by John P. DeGrazio

POLES, PLANKS, and CABLES

Custom Guided Tours with Expert Hiking Guides
Mountaineering and Outdoor Skills Building
Safety Gear & Proven Techniques on Every Hike
Effective Management of the Sub Dome & Cables
Interpretive Natural History Education
Scenic Photography Education

Our lead guide John DeGrazio has directed over 100 successful summits of Half Dome since YExplore was founded in 2006. With that experience, he has developed and shared several techniques with our clients who hike Half Dome on the guided tour. Our high success rate is a direct result of the advantages provided by these strategies.

Our educational tour will explore the geologic and natural history of Half Dome, Yosemite, and the Sierra Nevada combined with a photography lesson teaching students the art of making nature photographs. Equipped with our cameras and smartphones, we will make the epic all day journey. Many of our instructors will teach about the aspects of exposure throughout several different periods of changing light that will make each photograph unique and interesting. Please let us know when you book the tour if you are interested in the photography aspect. This exciting all inclusive adventure will not only take you to the top, but you will end your day with a broader knowledge of the ecology and a sense of achievement both physically and photographically that you never imagined.

Each trip includes the use of special safety equipment on the Half Dome Cables for everyone who registers to hike Half Dome with YExplore. These items include reliable gloves, custom designed safety belts, and carabiners. Hiking poles will also be provided upon request.