![]() The hike then continues to the top of Nevada Fall, followed by a long, flat section through Little Yosemite Valley near the Merced River. On this hike, the challenge begins immediately with a steep ascent up the Mist Trail, which serves as a good litmus test to see if you're in adequate condition for the remaining journey. To hike Half Dome, the trail is about 14 to 16 miles long and features elevation gains totaling 4,800 feet (for reference, the elevation gain on the Mist Trail is between 1,000 and 2,000 feet, depending on which waterfall you visit). When you finally reach the base of the Half Dome, a steep rocky climb finally takes you up the Half Dome Cables, a vertical, exposed rock face scalable by two steel cables for the final 400 feet to the summit. You can access Sentinel Bridge, which is located on the eastern side of Yosemite Valley, on Sentinel Drive (near Cook's Meadow) from shuttle stop No. While most visitors are content to gaze at the iconic Yosemite site from the valley floor, the best viewing is at Sentinel Bridge, which features views of Half Dome and its reflection in the Merced River. It is those cables that guide hikers to the summit of Half Dome. In 1875, George Anderson scaled the rock face and drilled the holes for cabling. Yosemite National Park also has climbing rangers that can assist climbers with routes.Ī prominent feature of the Yosemite Valley, this granite rock face rises up 4,737 feet above the valley floor (8,844 feet above sea level). Climbers need to check in at the Climbing Management Office, located in the Yosemite Museum building. ![]() The good news is it is free and climbers apply for it in person (unlike Half Dome that's only available via a lottery system). You'll find the meadow on Northside Drive, near the west end of Yosemite Valley.Įl Capitan is a big climb – the NPS labels it a "Big Wall Climb." As such, overnight climbing trips require a special permit (the Wilderness Climbing Permit). If you want to gaze at its 3,000 feet of sheer rock face, the El Capitan Meadow is the place. Experienced rock climbers can often be seen clinging to the side of El Capitan at all hours of the day and night from spring to fall. Called Tutokanula by the Ahwahneechee people, El Capitan is one of the greatest areas in the world for climbing. Most lakes in Yosemite are in the wilderness and require hiking. Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, created by damming the Tuolumne River, is another lake that's accessible by car. ![]() As one of the most recognizable features of Yosemite National Park, El Capitan is one of the first features that visitors see, as it is visible even before travelers enter Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View. Mirror Lake (in Yosemite Valley) is famous for its reflections of Half Dome and Mount Watkins when the water level is high enough (in spring) it's more a pond than a lake.
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