Yosemite National Park · CA
Half Dome via Mist Trail
Extreme · Day hike · Best in Summer, Fall
Length
14.2 mi
Gain
4,800 ft
Scenery
★★★★★
About this trail
The most iconic day hike in the Sierra: thunderous waterfalls, granite staircases, and the legendary cable route up the back of Half Dome's 8,800-ft face. A 14-hour day for most. Cables typically up late May through mid-October.
Highlights
- Vernal & Nevada Falls
- Sub Dome cables
- Yosemite Valley summit views
Get there
Start: Trailhead · 37.7330, -119.5575
Open driving directions in Google Maps →Permit
Yosemite National Park
Preseason lottery in March; daily lottery 2 days before each hike date.
Apply for permit →Along the way
- Happy Isles trailhead@ mile 0· 4,035 ft
- Vernal Fall (317 ft)@ mile 0.8
- Emerald Pool@ mile 1.2
- Nevada Fall (594 ft)@ mile 1.7
- Liberty Cap@ mile 1.9
- Little Yosemite Valley@ mile 3.5
- Sub Dome@ mile 6.5
- Half Dome cables@ mile 6.8
- Half Dome summit@ mile 7.1· 8,839 ft
Plan your visit on the interactive map
See Half Dome via Mist Trail on the live Trailspark map alongside weather averages, gear lists, an elevation profile, and nearby points of interest.
Open Half Dome via Mist Trail on the map →