Half Dome
One of California'ss most familiar rock formations and a Yosemite icon.
Guide Sections
Use Half Dome's guide sections to understand how this stop fits into the larger park plan.
Half Dome Details
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
N/A
Region
N/A
Instantly recognizable, Half Dome is Yosemite's signature landmark and one of world's most starkly beautiful monuments in stone. Rising 4,737 feet from the floor of the Yosemite Valley, Half Dome was known as "Tis-sa-ack," or Cleft Rock, in the native Ahwahnee language. Despite its appearances, the formation's features are not the result of the northwest side of a formerly round dome shearing off. Rather, Half Done is actually part of a ridgeline that is steep on both sides. Half Dome is a formidable challenge to hikers and climbers alike. First summited in 1875 by climber George Anderson, the top of Half Dome can be reached via a 14- to 16-mile, 10- to 12-hour roundtrip hike with 4,800 feet of elevation gain (but some incredible views along the way). The last 400 feet to the summit is aided by a walkway over bare rock made from metal cables. The northwest face of Half Dome is a serious challenge for even the most experienced rock-climbers. The ascent generally takes two days and features routes like the Regular Northwest Face, the first Grade VI climb charted in the United States.