Camping at Half Dome Trail?

imported
#1

I would like to climb Half Dome as part of my JMT trip. Originally I was going to set up camp at Sunrise Camp and then climb the HD, but I have noticed that Sunrise Camps is 13.2 miles from Happy Isles, so it is a day hike. I might have to spend the next day just doing HD. Can someone tell me if it is possible to camp near Half Dome Trail? This junction is 6.2 miles from Happy Isles. That way I can do the HD the same day that my hike starts and keep moving (away from the crowds) the next day. Thanks,
Patronio

Patronio

#2

I assume that you are starting from Happy Isles. If so, you might want to stay at Little Yosemite, a backcountry campground that is above the two waterfalls (Nevada and Vernal) but before the Half Dome trail turn-off. It is a good climb just to get up to Little Yosemite, but you still have several miles (at least 5, I think) to the turn-off for Half Dome. But this campground is on the way, and it keeps you moving in the right direction without having to double back from Sunrise. Little Yosemite is a big campground and tends to attract problem bears and be a bit noisy, but it’ll be the only and last JMT site that is so busy (unless you stay at Glen Aulin).

Also, you should know that you will HAVE TO drop your big pack before you climb the ladders up Half Dome (the last 0.5 to 0.75 mile). You can take a fanny pack or small day pack, but both of your hands must be free. So, I would suggest considering stashing your big pack in the trees just before you leave the woods and break out onto the open granite expanses of Half Dome itself. I climbed it last year. In a flat are of the forest (on the side trail to HD), I walked about 100 yards off trail and put my poles and pack under a low tree branch. I put a note on top of it weighted with a rock that explained I was dayhiking and asked anyone who found it to leave it alone. That way, I did not have to leave all of it in the more exposed pile of all the climbers “extra” gear at the base of HD. It looked too tempting for theives, so I was glad I stashed stuff out of sight.

There is a pile of used gloves at the base of the ladders, so you don’t need to bring your own. There is absolutely no water in the last three miles to HD, so be sure you have plenty. The climb up the ladders can take a long time, as you may have to wait on others descending or ahead of you. It’s an awesome climb - don’t miss it and have a great hike!

Nocona

#3

I believe, depending on what your permit reads, you’ll either be required to stay at Little Yosemite Valley, OR you’ll be required to camp past (east of) the Half Dome trail junction. They each have quotas. Each area has advantages.

Little Yosemite has decent toilets, the rangers make an effort to discourage bears from the area, and it’s a good moderate altitude to spend a first night at. You can have a slow or late first day, and then hit Half Dome first thing in the morning and move on from there. Downside is there’s lots of people.

East of the Half Dome junction is slightly more wildernessy, and allows you to either see sunset or sunrise from Half Dome, since it’s a little closer. Downside is that at least last summer this was a very bad bear area.

If we’re reading you wrong, and you are going NORTHbound (you’re heading from Whitney to Yosemite Valley), then Sunrise would i think be still your best idea. It’s a really pretty area, and you’ll probably be in good shape to do the whole hike to the Valley plus Half Dome in one reasonable day. It’s mostly downhill, and the Half Dome part you don’t even have to take your pack.

markv

#4

About .75 miles past the Half Dome & JMT trail junction going southbound is the sunrise creek camp (not sunrise camp). There are usually many campsites here.It’s at the junction to clouds rest. There are always bears coming by for a visit. Be careful leaving your pack near Half Dome, many people have had there packs torn apart in this area.
Best time to climb HD is in the am before all the paranoid hikers show up and become frozen to the cables. When are you hiking the jmt?

splash

#5

I have the same questions as you and have posted them here as well. My permit states that I have to camp past Moraine Dome which eliminates the camp at the junction to Clouds Rest/Sunrise Creek. One suggestion that I was given was to stealth camp past sunrise creek on the way up past Moraine Dome. I may hike there on Day 1 from Happy Isles, and then back track slightly on the morning of Day 2 to do Half Dome before the crowds of day hikers get to it and then continue southbound to Sunrise High Sierra. Its a couple miles extra, but should avoid the majority of the crowds and hopefully the bears at camp. This is a Sept. 2 start.

Weez

#6

I am still somewhat puzzled about where to camp. My permit does not allow camping in Little Yosemite Valley, so I have no choice to keep pushing up to Sunrise camp and stay there over night to climb HD next day (one day missing from my JMT hike,but no other choise).
Patronio

Patronio

#7

Patronio,
I posted a similar question on another site - though not intending to come back to do half-dome - just about how far you must go beyond LYV. Two alternatives were posted that I have not seen here. When you pick up your permit, you can inquire if there are openings available in LYV for that night - you might find a walk-up permit to be available. Or, continue beyond LYV along the Merced for another mile or 2 (flat and easy according to the post) to the Moraine Dome waterslide and camping to the right - sounded like a very nice location.
Doug

Doug