bdmahoney
Key Master
We're planning a weekend camping trip and hike up Half Dome. Unfortunately, you just can't wing it anymore and head up the mountain. Because of how popular it has become (along with the idiots that try to ascend the cables) we all need to buy a permit.
Our weekend date for Half Dome Camping trip is August 19-21st.
First, go here to get your permit. The maximum # of permits you can get at one time is 4. Please get all 4. We will use them all!
bdmahoney
Key Master
One last thing. Permits for July sold out in 15min!! That means at 7am this Sunday, you need to be on the computer!!
I think the permit is like $1.50 too.
jcrowther
Member
Yes permit is for one day. Get it for Saturday.
FYI for those interested in running half dome, something to shoot for. Brendon...?
http://yosemiteexplorer.com/yosemite-news/100708-half-dome-record-rickey-gates
http://yosemiteexplorer.com/yosemite-news/080623-half-dome-record
Some useful (and not so useful) advice. Unless you are a camel or experienced desert traveler I would not skip carrying water in August.
If we prefer to make this more of an endurance event....there's always the Clouds Rest/Half Dome combination hike. Clouds Rest is much less traveled but actually 1100 feet higher than Half Dome.
bdmahoney
Key Master
Holy crap, I didn't get anything. Hopefully someone got something.
bdmahoney
Key Master
We need to start looking at other alternatives for this weekend. Let me know if you have any suggestions. John mentioned Cloud Rest and I'd like to get a campground booked.
jcrowther
Member
Clouds rest is supposed to be good and is more vertical than Half Dome if we started in the valley, but we may still need a permit because you start at the same trail head. There is another trailhead option though.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/clouds-rest-yosemite
Another option in Yosemite is to head to Tuolumne Meadows which is generally easier to book. This is the higher section of the park since it is near Tioga Pass (10,000 ft). One hike/scramble is Mt. Conness - Tops out at 12649 ft. So almost 4000 ft higher than half dome. I don't know the exact stats on the hike. I think the lead in is much flatter with then a longer rock strewn scamble to the top. Disclaimer: Have not done this.
Other options:
1) Tahoe - Mt. Tallac - About 3300ft. of vertical, maybe 10 miles round trip - Some of the best views of Lake Tahoe Basin. This is the most prominent peak you see on the Southwest side of the lake.
2) Other Eastern Sierra options exist as well. Mt. Whitney requires advance planning - same permit issue, but there are lesser peaks that offer plenty of challenge, views and vertical. Longer drive from Bay area though.
Mt Whitney would be fun though the driving distance in both directions would consume as much time as the hike. I have friends who have done the entire trip in less than 36 hrs leaving from SF, but probably not an ideal destination given the distance from the bay area.
As another alternative take a look at Mt Dana in Yosemite. I've done that in a half day in the past and while not super technical (meaning you wont need your hands to climb) its fairly challenging given the altitude (13K) and the terrain. Plus once you reach the top it offers probably one of best view's in CA (due to the curvature of the earth you can actually see Mt Whitney and Mt Shasta on a clear day). I'd recommend this hike if time is a concern, plus you'd still have time to check out some other shorter hikes in the valley during the same weekend for anyone that can only stay one night.
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