Yosemite Half Dome in 2026: check the cable permit and the Mist Trail detour

Half Dome has a permit boundary higher than the valley trails. Recreation.gov requires a permit to ascend the subdome steps or Half Dome cables when the cables are up. The 2026 Yosemite information also lists a Mist Trail detour during a repair window, subject to change, so a permit does not bypass a work zone (Half Dome permits; Yosemite 2026 guide).

Build the approach around the live notice#

Check the permit confirmation, cable status, Mist Trail hours and John Muir Trail detour before leaving Yosemite Valley. The detour changes the route beside Vernal Fall and can change the time needed to reach the subdome. Never remove a barricade or enter a wet work area because the group has a summit reservation. If the approach is closed or the weather worsens, a lower waterfall walk is the correct alternative.

The permit must match the reservation and group, and the confirmation should be offline. The official management material describes the permit requirement at the subdome, not only at the final cables (Half Dome management). Carry enough water and food for the whole route, plus a warm layer and gloves for a windy summit; the upper mountain can be much cooler than the valley. Turn around before the cables if heat, time, balance or weather is no longer acceptable.

Plan for waiting on a two-way cable system and for a slower descent. Follow the cables and rangers, keep the route clear and do not use a personal climbing device as a substitute for the official system. Recheck current trail, road and water information on the morning of the hike.