Half Dome and the Mist Trail: permits, route and planning

Half Dome is the granite landmark of Yosemite, its sheer face rising nearly 5,000 ft above the Valley floor to a summit at 8,800 ft. The day hike to the top is one of the great walks in the United States: 14 to 16 miles (23 to 26 km) round trip and 4,800 ft (1,460 m) of climbing, past two of the park's best waterfalls, finishing with a 400-ft haul up steel cables on bare rock. Most people take 10 to 12 hours, and a permit is required for the final section (NPS Half Dome).

You do not have to go all the way. The first few miles to Vernal and Nevada Falls make a superb walk on their own, with no permit needed.

The route, from Happy Isles to the summit#

The walk starts at the Mist and John Muir Trailhead near Happy Isles, at the east end of Yosemite Valley. There is no parking at the trailhead; the nearest lot is at Curry Village, about a mile away, and the free Valley shuttle stops at Happy Isles (stop 16) (trailhead).

A paved path climbs along the Merced River to the Vernal Fall footbridge, the first view of the 317-ft fall. Above the bridge the trails divide. The Mist Trail climbs more than 600 steep granite steps right beside Vernal Fall, where spray soaks walkers in spring and early summer, then continues to the top of 594-ft Nevada Fall. The John Muir Trail is the longer, gentler alternative: about 4 miles one way to the top of Nevada Fall compared with 2.5 miles by the Mist Trail, with views of both falls and the granite dome of Liberty Cap from the switchbacks above Clark Point (waterfall trails). A popular loop goes up the Mist Trail and down the John Muir Trail.

Beyond Nevada Fall, the route levels out through Little Yosemite Valley, then climbs through forest to the shoulder below Half Dome. The last part is the steep, granite subdome, followed by the cables: two steel handlines on posts up the final 400 ft of rounded rock. From the broad summit the views open across Yosemite Valley and out to the High Sierra.

Shorter goals on the same trail#

These NPS figures are round trip from Happy Isles by the Mist Trail; the John Muir Trail adds distance (waterfall trails; Half Dome).

The footbridge suits families and anyone short on time. The top of Vernal Fall is the classic half-day, and Nevada Fall makes a full, satisfying day without the commitment of the summit.

Half Dome permits#

During the cable season, a permit is needed beyond the base of the subdome; the trail up to that point, including both waterfalls, is open to everyone. The park issues up to about 300 permits a day: roughly 225 for day hikers and 75 for backpackers (permit rules).

Day hikers have two routes in:

• Preseason lottery: apply from 1 to 31 March (Eastern time) for dates across the season. Results come in mid-April. One application can request up to six permits.
• Daily lottery: apply two days before your hike, between midnight and 4 pm Pacific time. Results arrive late the same night. This suits flexible travellers already in or near the park.

The application fee is $10 per application and is non-refundable; a further $10 per person is charged only if you win. Applications are made on Recreation.gov. The named permit holder or the alternate must be with the group and carry photo ID and the paid confirmation, and each person can appear as holder or alternate on only one application. Backpackers starting their trip in Yosemite request Half Dome as part of their wilderness permit instead.

Cable season and conditions#

The cables normally go up on the Friday before Memorial Day (the last Monday in May) and come down the day after the second Monday in October, conditions permitting (Half Dome). In 2026 that puts the last cable day on Monday 12 October, so the next realistic chance is the 2027 season, starting with the March preseason lottery.

The NPS is direct about the risks. Nearly all fatal falls from the cables have happened when the rock was wet, and the summit is a dangerous place in a lightning storm. Do not go up if the rock is wet or storm clouds are building, even with a permit in your pocket. The park also recommends a firm turnaround time: if you have not reached the summit by 3:30 pm, head down.

Plan to carry at least 1 gallon (4 litres) of water per person and a headlamp with spare batteries, because a long day can end in the dark. Gloves with good grip help on the cables. Start at first light: it keeps the turnaround time comfortable and gets you to the top before thunderstorms, which are more common in the afternoon.

2026 Mist Trail repairs#

From 27 July through October 2026 (subject to change), the Mist Trail between its junction with the John Muir Trail above the Vernal Fall footbridge and the top of Vernal Fall is open only Friday to Sunday and on holidays. From Monday to Thursday it normally reopens between 3:30 pm and 7 am, when safe. On weekdays, use the John Muir Trail, whose "Ice Cut" section between Clark Point and the Panorama Trail junction reopened on 27 July after its own repairs (current notice).

In winter the lower Mist Trail beside Vernal Fall closes because of falling ice and rock, and the upper John Muir Trail closes when it is dangerously icy, so autumn and winter walks usually stop at the footbridge or follow whichever route is signed open.

Practical details#

Entry fees are on the NPS fees page. Permit rules, trail notices and fees were checked on 8 October 2026; trail repairs and cable dates can change at short notice, so look at the NPS pages in the days before your hike.