HALF DOME HIKERS CLUB
HALF DOME HIKERS CLUB
BACKPACK
TO HALF DOME:
Mist Trail Route
BACKPACK TO HALF DOME:
MIST TRAIL ROUTE
Join a four-day backpacking trek to Half Dome. Hike through Yosemite’s backcountry, swim in rivers beside camp, and climb the thrilling Half Dome cables. With a friendly crew of hikers, and an expert guide, you’ll conquer the park’s most iconic summit!
- 4 Days
- 21 Miles
- Very Strenuous
Price: $1,885
Just a $400 deposit to book!
2026 DATES
Aug 14-17 fully booked
Aug 21-24 2 spots left
Aug 25-28 1 spots left
Aug 27-30 3 spots left
Sep 3-6 fully booked
Sep 5-8 fully booked
Sep 12-15 fully booked
Sep 17-20 fully booked
Sep 26-29 available
Oct 10-13 available
Yosemite grants permits five months in advance.
Dates may slightly shift until permit is granted.
Price: $1,885
Just a $400 deposit to book!
2026 DATES
Aug 14-17 fully booked
Aug 21-24 2 spots left
Aug 25-28 1 spots left
Aug 27-30 3 spots left
Sep 3-6 fully booked
Sep 5-8 fully booked
Sep 12-15 fully booked
Sep 17-20 fully booked
Sep 26-29 available
Oct 10-13 available
Yosemite grants permits five months in advance.
Dates may slightly shift until permit is granted.
A LEGENDARY ADVENTURE
Dare to tackle the ultimate summit!
Venture deep into Yosemite’s wild backcountry, where you’ll hike over the top of a roaring waterfall, plunge into untamed rivers, and camp in Half Dome’s mighty shadow. Climb the heart-racing Half Dome cables with the support of new friends and a professional wilderness guide.
At the top of Half Dome, you’ll be rewarded with a view beyond anything you’ve ever imagined. Peaks upon peaks stretched to infinity. This is a rare experience that few hikers ever get to witness.
Conquer Yosemite’s most epic summit, and earn your place in the legendary Half Dome Hikers Club. This is an accomplishment you will never forget!
ADVENTURE ITINERARY
DAY ONE
Meet your guide in Yosemite
Meet your guide and fellow adventurers in the evening at the backpackers campground near Curry Village. We’ll go over gear and set up camp together.
While your guide whips up a delicious dinner, feel free to take a refreshing dip in the river or chat with your new trail buddies. As the sun sets behind Yosemite’s iconic granite spires, you’ll fall asleep in your cozy tent, eager for tomorrow’s journey into the backcountry!
1 mile
DAY TWO
Hike the Mist Trail. See waterfalls!
Wake up to the smell of fresh coffee and a hot breakfast, cooked by your guide. Then, hit the famous Mist Trail, where the cool spray from Vernal and Nevada Falls refreshes you as you hike. These massive waterfalls leave you in awe, so we’ll stop to soak in the views.
After a day of jaw-dropping scenery, we set up camp in the shadow of Half Dome. Cool off with a swim in the Merced River, and relax under a peaceful sunset. You’ll be tempted to drift off asleep, but with tomorrow’s summit awaiting, it will be tough to close your eyes!
6 miles +2,400 ft
DAY THREE
Conquer the Dome!
Leave camp in place, carrying only light packs with food and water. Hike up a steep forest trail as the morning light breaks. Half Dome stands boldly ahead, daring you to continue. We stop to spot the earliest hikers far up on the cables. They are just tiny dots in the distance!
Cross a ridgetop crest, and a breathtaking panorama unfolds above the treeline. At the subdome, follow your guides up a steep stone staircase carved into the edge of a cliff. The dizzying views stretch for miles.
Upon reaching the Half Dome cables, you realize just how steep this climb will be. Don’t worry, your guides will teach you how to ascend safely and confidently, and you’ll do it together! With brave determination, you pull yourself up one step at a time. At the summit, you’re greeted by sensational views that leave you speechless. It’s impossible to take it all in!
Gaze out over the mountaintops and reflect on your incredible achievement. You just conquered Half Dome. This is a victory that will stay with you for life! Back at basecamp, we’ll celebrate by jumping into the river. It’s the perfect end to an unforgettable day.
7 miles +2,700 ft | -2,700 ft
DAY FOUR
A Triumphant Return
Still buzzing from the thrill of yesterday’s summit, it’s time to pack up camp and head down the trail. We’ll cross over the top of roaring Nevada Falls before hiking the legendary John Muir Trail.
As we descend toward Yosemite Valley, you’ll pass by smiling hikers beginning their own journeys. Our adventure may be coming to an end, but the triumph of being inducted into the Half Dome Hikers Club will last a lifetime!
7 miles +200 ft | -2,400 ft
Want to backpack to Half Dome while seeing more of Yosemite’s backcountry? Check out The Journey to Half Dome and Clouds Rest (5 days). You’ll cross the whole park, visiting both of these famous icons in one trip!
Chat with a trip planning expert!
What dates are available?
Aug 14-17 fully booked
Aug 21-24 2 spots left
Aug 25-28 1 spots left
Aug 27-30 3 spots left
Sep 3-6 fully booked
Sep 5-8 fully booked
Sep 12-15 fully booked
Sep 17-20 fully booked
Sep 26-29 available
Oct 10-13 available
Yosemite grants permits five months in advance.
Dates may slightly shift until permit is granted.
How challenging is this trip?
All backpacking trips are inherently strenuous. Compared to other backpacking routes, this adventure is considered very strenuous. You need to be a moderately fit person who enjoys hard physical challenges.
What can I expect on this trip?
Expect an intense workout that tires you out each day. You will hike up steep inclines of over 2,000 feet while carrying a 30-40 pound pack. You will hike up steep staircases at high elevation with full sun exposure. To reach the top of Half Dome, you will need upper body strength to grab a cable and pull yourself to the top.
Who should join this trip?
If you are moderately fit, you exercise hard multiple times a week, and you train, you will find this trip to be challenging, but rewarding. If you can jog for 5 miles without stopping, or if you attend HIIT classes regularly, you should be able to complete this trip.
If you don’t exercise regularly and you do not train for this trip, you will find it to be extremely difficult, if not impossible. If you are significantly overweight and you are starting from scratch, train for a year to give yourself enough time.
How should I train?
Even fit people must train for this trip. Practice hiking 6 miles with 2,000 feet of elevation gain while carrying a weighted pack. You can also jog, use a stairmaster, or a treadmill set to high incline. Train your upper body with pull ups for the Half Dome cables. (Walking your dog is not sufficient.)
What's included?
Accommodations
• 3 nights camping in tents
Meals and Snacks
• All meals from the first night’s dinner to the last day’s lunch
• All snacks, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and desserts!
Group Camping Gear
• Bear canisters, water filters, stove, cookware, first aid kit
• Individual tent for each client
• See Gear List
Wilderness Guide
• Professional local wilderness guide with a wilderness first responder certification
Half Dome Permit
• Permit to reach the top of Half Dome. (You do not need to get your own permit)
Yosemite Entrance Reservation
• During busy months, Yosemite requires all visitors to obtain an entrance reservation before they sell out. You won’t need to worry about this, as your trip includes a reservation to enter the park.
What's not included?
Transportation to Yosemite
• Adventurers take own car to reach meeting point
Personal Gear & Clothing
• Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack
• Personal clothing
• Gear rental available
Gratuity for Guides
• Most people tip 10% – 20% of the trip cost
Trip Insurance
• “Cancel for any reason” trip insurance recommended
Backcountry Evacuation
• Read Terms & Conditions for full evacuation policy
What gear do I need?
Here is a link to the gear list. Feel free to make do with what you already have. For example, you can wear gym shorts rather than buying specific hiking clothes.
Do you supply gear?
Yes, you can take advantage of the gear rental option!
We want to make it as easy as possible for you to join the trip. If you don’t own backpacking gear, or if you don’t feel like bringing it on a plane, choose the gear rental, and you can basically just bring your clothes!
Are the permit dates guaranteed?
Yosemite grants permits about five months in advance of the trip start date. This means that if you are booking over five months in advance, permit dates could possibly shift. In that case, don’t book flights, hotels, or travel plans until the official permits dates are confirmed.
Is the Half Dome permit included?
Yes, the permit to the top of Half Dome is included with your trip.
Will you guarantee I make it to the top?
Half Dome is a strenuous and steep trip. Those who decide not to climb the cables can enjoy watching from the bottom. If a client has not trained sufficiently and is not fit enough to make it to the top, the client will be asked to wait at camp for his own safety. We make every effort to get you to the top, but in the case of a rare summer storm, Half Dome will be life threatening, and we will choose an alternate destination.
What airport should I fly into?
Fresno is the closest airport to Yosemite. Most people spend the night before and after the trip at a hotel in Curry Village, Oakhurst, Fresno, Mariposa, or Groveland.
It is necessary to fly in the day before your trip starts and fly out the day after your trip ends. We make no guarantees regarding the time your hike will finish. You may miss your flight if you book to leave on the same day your trip ends.
Do I need a car? Where do I park?
You will need a car to reach the meeting point. You cannot reach the meeting point with public transportation or Uber.
Once you enter Yosemite’s gate, you can park in any parking spot for free for the duration of your trip. You do not need a specific parking pass.
What is your cancellation policy?
A $400 non-refundable deposit is due at booking. The remaining amount is due 90 days in advance of your trip start date.
• If you cancel your trip 61 or more days prior to trip departure, you will receive a full refund, excluding the non-refundable deposit, booking platform fee, and credit card processing fee.
• If you cancel your trip 31-60 days prior to trip departure, you will receive a 50% refund, excluding the non-refundable deposit, booking platform fee, and credit card processing fee.
• If you cancel your trip 0-30 days prior to trip departure, no refund is given.
• No refund is given for any unused portions of a trip.
Please make sure you read and understand the Terms & Conditions.
How do I contact you?
I’d be happy to answer your questions!
• Email: LamplightersAdventures@gmail.com
• Phone: (209) 336-3147
SIMILAR ADVENTURES
Backpack to Half Dome & Clouds Rest
5 days | very strenuous
Summit both Clouds Rest and Half Dome in a traverse across Yosemite. You’ll camp at an alpine lake in the vast backcountry and tackle the two most jaw-dropping icons of Yosemite. This is the park’s ultimate adventure with views that you’ll never forget!
Yosemite’s Grand Canyon
of the Tuolumne River
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Follow the Tuolumne River as it courses through a beautiful gorge. Dive into swimming holes and splash under waterfalls… right next to camp! This journey is perfect for fun-lovers and free spirits. It’s Yosemite’s most all-around fun trek!
North Rim Traverse:
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Backpack across Yosemite Valley’s rugged North rim. In a wilderness frequented by bears, camp on North Dome and reach the top of North America’s tallest waterfall. This remote journey offers the most stunning views in all of Yosemite!
Backpack to Half Dome & Clouds Rest
5 days | very strenuous
Summit both Clouds Rest and Half Dome in a traverse across Yosemite. You’ll camp at an alpine lake in the vast backcountry and tackle the two most jaw-dropping icons of Yosemite. This is the park’s ultimate adventure with views that you’ll never forget!
Yosemite’s Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River
6 days | moderately strenuous
Follow the Tuolumne River as it courses through a beautiful gorge. Dive into swimming holes and splash under waterfalls right next to camp! Perfect for fun-lovers and free spirits, this is Yosemite’s most all-around fun trek!
Backpack to Half Dome & Clouds Rest
5 days | very strenuous
Summit both Clouds Rest and Half Dome in a traverse across Yosemite. You’ll camp at an alpine lake in the vast backcountry and tackle the two most jaw-dropping icons of Yosemite. This is the park’s ultimate adventure with views that you’ll never forget!
Yosemite’s Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River
6 days | moderately strenuous
Follow the Tuolumne River as it courses through a beautiful gorge. Dive into swimming holes and splash under waterfalls right next to camp! Perfect for fun-lovers and free spirits, this is Yosemite’s most all-around fun trek!
North Rim Traverse:
Yosemite Falls & North Dome
4 days | strenuous
Backpack across Yosemite Valley’s rugged North rim. In a wilderness frequented by bears, camp on North Dome and reach the top of America’s tallest waterfall. This trip offers the most stunning views in all of Yosemite!
