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Half Dome, Yosemite National Park
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Half Dome, Yosemite National Park

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Half Dome: Half Dome
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  • goingsolo
  • Updated By goingsolo on September 3, 2004
  • Yosemite National Park Page by goingsolo
  • Half Dome - Yosemite National Park
    Half Dome
    by goingsolo
    Half Dome is one of Yosemite's most famous sights. The mountain is 8,842 feet high but its steep granite ridge is a popular and, I'm told, challenging hike. With a 4,000 plus foot elevation gain, I'd believe it too.

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    Half Dome: Half Dome
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  • acemj
  • Updated By acemj on June 21, 2004
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  • Half Dome - Yosemite National Park
    by acemj
    Immortalized by Ansel Adams, the Half Dome is the most recognizable icon of Yosemite National Park. The rock rises over 4500 feet above the Valley floor at an elevation at over 8800 feet. The other "half" of the dome is presumed to have fallen into the Valley during the Ice Age as a result of a passing glacier.

    In the summer months, you can hike to the top of Half Dome by winding your way up its back on a trail that is 17 miles roundtrip. Serious rock climbers will prefer to take the more direct route by scaling its face.

    Back in 1865, they never thought it would be possible . . .
    "It is a crest of granite... perfectly inaccessible, being probably the only one of the prominent points about the Yosemite which never has been, and never will be, trodden my human foot." — California Geological Survey report about Half Dome, 1865.

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    Half Dome: Half Dome
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  • jag17
  • Updated By jag17 on June 14, 2004
  • Yosemite National Park Page by jag17
  • Half Dome - Yosemite National Park
    by jag17
    Standing 8,836 feet in the air, Half Dome is hard to miss anywhere in Yosemite. For those so inclined (and in good shape), a cable system is set up to climb to it's peak. Approximately 18-20 miles roundtrip. In the evening hours, the bridge near Curry Village is filled with photographers. They all anxiously wach as this massive piece turns from white to orange, as the sun sets on it.

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    Half Dome: Half Dome
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  • Carmela71
  • Updated By Carmela71 on September 14, 2004
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  • Half dome - Yosemite National Park
    Half dome
    by Carmela71

    The waterfalls, el capitan and Half Dome are the most popular signs of the park. You can hike or climb to the top (not today for me, maybe tomorrow hehehe) and I loved the views from the road where you can see the El Capitan and Half dome and a corridor in the middle (even if they are not near!)

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    Half Dome: Awesome Half Dome
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  • travelgirl3
  • Updated By travelgirl3 on December 1, 2004
  • Yosemite National Park Page by travelgirl3
  • Half Dome, Yosemite NP, CA - Yosemite National Park
    Half Dome, Yosemite NP,
    CA
    by travelgirl3
    It goes without saying that Half Dome is the most famous of all the landmarks within Yosemite National Park. It rises 4,000' above the Valley floor, and has well marked trails to the top. Or if you're really ambitious (and experienced) you can rock-climb up.

    But, I still have 1 question - Just where did the other half go?!

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    Half Dome: Hike the Half Dome
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  • girladventure
  • Updated By girladventure on August 23, 2004
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  • Top of Half Dome - Yosemite National Park
    Top of Half Dome
    by girladventure
    Distance: 17.0 Miles (roundtrip)
    Elevation gain: 4,796 feet
    Time: 10-12 hours roundtrip

    Hike to Half Dome begins at the Happy Isles trailhead in Yosemite Valley.

    Most hikers go up through Mist Trail, a steep and wet route next to the river. The John Muir Trail - 1.5 miles longer but slightly less taxing on the legs - is the preferred route down. I chose the Mist Trail both ways.

    If you plan on hiking the half dome in 2 days...you can camp at Little Yosemite Valley. A wilderness permit is required to camp at LYV campground which is 2.5 miles below Half Dome. Visit www.nps.gov/yose/wilderness/permits.htm for details. Oh Black bears are a nightly nuisance here. We saw 2 (mama & baby bear) on our way down.

    The trail to Half Dome is one of Yosemite's most popular trail. Make sure you allow 10 to 12 hours to complete this strenuous but awesome hike. Afternoon thunderstorms are frequent in the summer, so I highly recommend you start at 6 a.m. or earlier. Also make sure to check the weather report at the Visitor Center the day before you hike.

    Take leather gloves for the cables, wear hiking boots with good traction, take plenty of food and water.

    AND at the end of the hike, when your'e back at the trailhead....don't miss the chance to dip yourself in the river. Well, that is if you get back before the sun goes down. The water is cold but refreshing. Feels good on your achy muscles. Once you've freshened up.....pig out time! Get some ice cream at Curry Village!

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    Half Dome: Half Dome
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  • IceBear7
  • Updated By IceBear7 on November 1, 2004
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  • Half Dome - Yosemite National Park
    Half Dome
    by IceBear7
    One of the most impressive mountains in Yosemite Valley! Very easy to recognize and visible from many corners of the valley. It is vertical, no question!
    I heard it's relatively easy to go up Half Dome from the back, but just to look at it, especially from Glacier Point, these views stay in your mind for a long time!
    Peak is at 2695 m by the way.

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    Half Dome: Half Dome
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  • JanPeter74
  • By JanPeter74 on April 21, 2004
  • Yosemite National Park Page by JanPeter74
  • Half Dome - seen from Glacier Point - Yosemite National Park
    Half Dome - seen from
    Glacier Point
    by JanPeter74
    Half Dome, (one of) the largest monoliths in the world, is Yosemite's most dramatic landmark. It can be seen from almost anywhere in the park.

    The name already says it. It looks like this rock is cut in half. People suggest that the other half disappeared during the ice ages, due to glaciers passing by.

    This picture is taken from Glacier Point.

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    Half Dome: Half Dome
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  • Andraf
  • Updated By Andraf on May 18, 2005
  • Yosemite National Park Page by Andraf
  • Half Dome, Yosemite - Yosemite National Park
    Half Dome, Yosemite
    by Andraf
    Half Dome stands at the elevation of 8,840 feet. Its unique profile has become a symbol of Yosemite and geologists presume that its missing half had fallen off when the Ice Age glaciers passed through. It is made up from a type of granite. The trail to Half Dome is approximately 17 miles round trip and the hike is one of the most anticipated for avid hikers. Trail starts at Happy Isles Trailhead.

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    Half Dome: Half Dome
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  • VeronicaG
  • Updated By VeronicaG on August 29, 2007
  • Yosemite National Park Page by VeronicaG
  • Our grandson with Half Dome - Yosemite National Park
    Our grandson with Half Dome
    by VeronicaG, 1 more photos
    I think Half Dome is one of the most unique of the Yosemite sights with its sheered off northwest face, standing almost 5,000 feet above the valley.

    GEOLOGIC INFO: Geologists say that this vertical fracture was caused during the Pleistocene Ice Ages--the time of the Dinosaurs.

    The missing piece was broken away by glaciers during that period, about 86 and 88 million years ago. In fact, boulders found further downstream in the valley can be traced back to this immense rock formation.

    A hiking trail runs from the Yosemite Valley to Half Dome, as well as from Glacier Point (see General Tips).

    FYI: For further geologic information see: Yosemite National Park/Rock Formations in Yosemite Valley; Roadside Geology of Yosemite Valley by Garry Hayes and The Geologic Story of Yosemite Valley by N.King Huber

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