Above Half Dome Junction, up Half Dome, and out to Yosemite Valley
9 miles
My face hurts from smiling all day. It was that good!
As I started up the trail by headlamp to Half Dome, it occurred to me, crap I am going to be climbing the cables in the dark. Half Dome’s famous 400 feet of cable system up the rock face is steep, requires upper and lower body strength, and the courage to depend on the wire cables to keep you alive. That is when my smile started.
Just as I reached the bottom of the cables a group of friendly college students from San Francisco hiked up. I was thankful. Someone would be there if something happened. I quickly selected a pair of gloves left for climbers at the foot of the cables. I used thick leather garden gloves that worked well. Tip: take all rings off BEFORE you climb. I didn’t. I then started the ascent in the dark and the only one on the cables. It was a once in a lifetime experience. Years ago I climbed during the day along with many other people on the cables. I felt it was chaos.
The trip up required a lot of arm strength due to the rock made slick by years of hiker use. This took me aback. I now realize it was hard because I could go as fast as I wanted and I did. It was fun. I even turned my headlamp off and let the moonlight lead my way. I reached the top in time to explore, eat, drink, and relax before the show began. And boy did it.
After basking in sensory overload, I descended the cables solo and quickly. It was likened to a zip line at kid’s camp. That is the best I can describe the feeling. Since I was heading off the trail today, I could not think of a better way to finish this journey.
I decided to take the Mist Trail down to Yosemite Valley, largely because it is steep, narrow, and crowded. This year due to drought conditions the Mist on the Mist Trail is non-existent. As I descended, crowds of vacationers filled the trail all smelling of delicious lotions, soap, and hair products reminding me of my dirty state. I smiled. I earned it.
As I reached the bridge at Vernal Falls crossing, I was welcomed with the best sight ever, Dan, my husband crossing the bridge. BIGGER SMILE.
We spent the rest of the day riding the Yosemite Shuttle, sight seeing, eating, walking in the rain, taking more photos, enjoying the delight of people visiting the park, and of course finishing with the day with the sunset from Glacier Point.
Thank you everyone for following and cheering me along this summer through changes, challenges, and exhilaration. It has been a growing and learning time. Just think…it is now time not only to go back to work, but also to get planning the next adventure. EVEN BIGGER SMILE!
Hi, I love your blog! Not sure if you are still checking it, but I have two questions I hope you can help with. What kind of permit did you request? Is it just entry at Cottonwood or Horseshoe and then exit at HI? Also, how do you get pictures of yourself packing solo? Especially that photo on the diving board at Half Dome? Thanks!
Hello Melody,
I use a small tripod with the timer on my camera to take photos farther away. The diving board pic was taken by one of the hikers at the top. The permit system has changed, so I am not sure about that. Going in at Horseshoe Meadow and head up and over Cottonwood Pass.
LOVED every one of your posts about your trip! I’m currently hoping to hike the JMT SoBo this Summer but am researching NoBo info in case we do not get permits. Your posts are a wealth of info and fun to read…and awesome pics! The dive board on half dome is insane!!! Thanks for sharing your journey!
The John Muir Trail is such an amazing experience. It is the one trail I hike over and over again and it is just as beautiful, dramatic, and demanding every time. Have fun planning your upcoming JMT hike. Let me know if you have any questions I might be able to answer. Thank you for your kind words. The dive board is pretty thrilling.
Hey Rockin’! Awesome blog! I just re-traced your whole trip using your blog entries and following on the map in preparation for my own journey. I plan to solo thru-hike the JMT northbound beginning at Horseshoe Meadows and ending at Happy Isles starting June 29th, 2015. Do you typically lock down your itinerary before you leave? Any must hit campsites? What are your major steps in the planning process: itinerary > food/resupply > gear > transportation?
For itinerary, why do you recommend the high trail over the JMT for the miles that they are split? Isn’t it a bummer to miss Garnet Lake?
What does each of your meals (B/L/D) typically look like?
For resupplies, I saw you recommended Charlotte Lake near Kearsage Pass as the first resupply. How do I go about that process?
If I doing this completely solo, what are your recommendations for transportation? Leave my car near Yosemite and then find a way to Lone Pine / Horseshoe Meadows? How long / many days should I expect that to take?
Could you pass along the information you received about obtaining a Half Dome Permit at Tuolumne Meadows? What was that process like for you? Do they hold permits for walk-in reservations (like what you did)?
Congratulations on your successful journeys and impressive documentation through this blog! Thanks!
John
What a way to finish an epic adventure!
I know. Right? Safe and talking gear.
Awesome sunrise pics! The rest of the photos are breathtaking as well. Although, I think the diving board looks scary.
Believe it or not it looks scarier than it really is. Just don’t look down!
Sedona is on my list of places to visit. Gorgeous pics on your site. Thank you for sharing and stopping by!
I’m a friend of Erin’s (wired) and planned to meet her for the JMT section of the PCT last year but didn’t work out because of the snow…I was called by something inside me to do it solo this year, and am heading out in a week to start at Yosemite and go south! She told me about your blog and I’ve really enjoyed reading through your days. This is my first solo trip and although I’m excited I’m terrified too! Thanks for sharing your experience, it helps me feel stronger and more confident 🙂
Wow, I hope your trip is positive and not scary. It is frightening, but it seems that once I put that first foot print on the trail things just fall in line. Besides there is so much to do you just forget about all the worries. I feel honored that I was of some help. I am so jealous, I would love to do the trip all over again. It was a trip of a lifetime. Have fun, smile, and enjoy the ascents and descents because there are a lot.
It’s been great following your blog this summer. You take such wonderful photos. Thanks for sharing your hike.
Mary,
So glad I got to meet you if only through the Internet. Hoping to see you in October. Please keep me posted on the where abouts of Recycle.
Rockin’
Congrats on a beautiful finish. You and your hubby look elated to be reunited.
Thank you! You are right, it is so nice to have support at the end of a great trip.
Your pictures are breathtaking. Wow! You have had an awesome summer, and I am so glad you are home safely. Can’t wait to hear what next summer will hold.
Boy I can’t wait either. It is great to hear a seed is planted!
Ahhhhh….. 🙂 The photo of Nevada Fall is great!
It was easier to take a photo this year with less water running. Go figure that. I wonder if the rainbow is at the base most of the time?