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Half Dome

8 story sections

The iconic granite dome and the ultimate destination of the backpacking tour. Climbing the cables to the summit provides spectacular views.

History & cultureBY TELLBY

Contents

8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines
  1. 1Half Dome

    Welcome to the trailhead on the Yosemite Valley floor, the starting line for what is widely considered one of the most iconic, grueling, and dangerous day hikes in the American National Park system. Our objective today is the…

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  2. 2The Mist Trail and Vernal Falls

    Our ascent begins in earnest on the famed Mist Trail, an appropriate moniker for a path that frequently subjects hikers to a thorough soaking. We are currently navigating a brutal architectural feature known as the Mist Trail…

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  3. 3The Rugged Push to Nevada Falls

    Leaving the immediate vicinity of Vernal Falls, the trail continues its relentless upward trajectory. Our next objective is the summit of Nevada Falls, a spectacular cascade that plunges an impressive five hundred and ninety four…

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  4. 4The Respite of Little Yosemite Valley

    Beyond Nevada Falls, the Mist Trail merges seamlessly with the John Muir Trail, guiding us into the unexpectedly serene expanse of Little Yosemite Valley. The contrast between the violent verticality of the waterfalls and the…

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  5. 5The Forested Ascent and Rising Heat

    Leaving the comforts of Little Yosemite Valley behind, the trail begins an aggressive, sustained climb. The landscape undergoes a dramatic transformation as we gain elevation. …

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  6. 6The Terrifying Switchbacks of Subdome

    We have arrived at the base of the Subdome, an architectural anomaly and a psychological crucible. The trail entirely abandons the pretense of a dirt path and transforms into a brutal, nearly vertical staircase brutally carved…

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  7. 7The Final Challenge: The Cables

    We now stand at the base of the final, most infamous obstacle in Yosemite National Park, the cables of Half Dome. Rising sharply up the smooth, curved granite face, these twin steel cables stretch for a terrifying four hundred…

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  8. 8Summit Reflections and the Descent

    You have done it. You have pulled yourself over the final lip of granite and are now standing upon the broad, surprisingly flat summit of Half Dome, nearly nine thousand feet above sea level. …

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What is Half Dome?

Half Dome is a place with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.

Key facts
TypeActivity
Story sections8
Text languageEnglish
Coordinates37.7300, -119.5333
Last updated

Nearby places

within a 5-minute walk
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