THESE DATES ARE FILLING FAST:
Aug 21-24: 2 spots left | Aug 27-30: 3 spots left | Click here to see all available dates
Aug 21-24: 2 spots left | Aug 27-30: 3 spots left
Click here to see all available dates
HALF DOME HIKERS CLUB
HALF DOME HIKERS CLUB
STAND ON HALF DOME THIS SUMMER
We’ll bring the permit, meals, gear, and expert guide
Feel the rush of backpacking to Yosemite’s iconic summit. Pull yourself up the legendary Half Dome cables and embrace the thrill of victory! Four unforgettable days that will leave you stronger, prouder, and forever changed.
- 4 Days
- 23 Miles
- Strenuous
Got questions? Contact us!
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.
Want to backpack to Half Dome and Clouds Rest in one trip? Check out the five-day Journey to Half Dome & Clouds Rest!
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
Hike Into Yosemite's Backcountry
Meet your guides and fellow adventurers at Mono Meadow trailhead. After a gear check and introductions, your guides will help you pack up and make sure you’re ready for the adventure ahead.
Hike into Yosemite’s untamed backcountry. Cross meadows filled with orange and purple wildflowers and walk beneath pines where owls quietly perch. Wade through a cool mountain stream and catch your first glimpse of Half Dome in the distance, daring you forward!
At Illilouette Creek, we’ll set up a backcountry camp. Then, you can wade into the stream, lounge on sunny rocks, or plunge into the water! As the sun sets, your guides will serve a hearty dinner beside a crackling campfire. Then, you’ll drift to sleep under a starry sky, while the creek whispers next to your tent.
3 miles +120 ft | -890 ft
DAY TWO
The Summit Awaits
Wake up to breakfast and hot coffee served by your guides. After breaking camp, ford Illilouette Creek together.
Hike across a wild western meadow. Keep your eyes peeled. You might spot a basking rattlesnake or a wandering bear. At the top of a mountain pass, Half Dome towers above you, closer than ever. That iconic summit is within reach!
Stop for lunch at the top of Nevada Fall. Cross the bridge spanning the roaring water, and walk to the waterfall’s brink. Those who are daring can peer over the edge to watch the water plunge far beneath your feet.
Further into the woods, we’ll set up camp along the Merced River. Swim in the water and lounge on the riverbank’s sandy beach. Camped beneath Half Dome’s shadow, the mountain looms over your tent. Tucked in for the night, the excitement of tomorrow’s ascent makes it hard for you to go to sleep!
5 miles +700 ft | -1,150 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
Wake up still buzzing with excitement from yesterday’s summit. Over breakfast, you look up at Half Dome and reflect on your inspiring journey.
There are still some small adventures to complete today. The trail back offers two challenging climbs, each with stunning viewpoints to look back at Half Dome, growing more distant. You pause at each crest and soak in the sweeping vistas of an environment that tested and changed you.
At Illilouette Creek, your guides prepare lunch on the shady riverbank as you wade into the water. With the wind blowing through the trees, you savor these fleeting moments of freedom that only exist in the wilderness. You hit the trail again, ready for your triumphant return to civilization!
Back at Mono Meadow trailhead, you say goodbye to your guides and new friends. Although the trip is over, the pride of your accomplishment will stay with you for a lifetime. You are now a proud member of the Half Dome Hikers Club!
8 miles +2,040 ft | -820 ft
What kind of person is this trip for?
People who want a real challenge and a rewarding goal. If you see Half Dome and think, “I want to stand on top of that,” you’ll fit right in.
You don’t need backpacking experience, but you should be in good shape and excited to push yourself. Most hikers are solo travelers or small groups looking for a meaningful accomplishment, not just another hike!
How challenging is this trip?
This is a strenuous backpacking trip suitable for people who exercise regularly and enjoy challenging themselves. Expect steep elevation gain (2,000+ feet) while carrying a 30-40 lb pack.
If you can jog four miles, you’ll likely enjoy this trip.
Training is strongly recommended. You can prepare with 6 mile hikes with 2,000+ feet of elevation gain while carrying a weighted pack. Jogging, using a stairmaster, or treadmill at high incline is also effective.
Is the Half Dome permit included?
Yes, the Half Dome permit is included with your trip.
Yosemite releases permits about five months in advance. If you book more than five months ahead, your exact permit dates may still be pending. In that case, we’ll confirm final dates before you make any non-refundable travel plans (flights, lodging, etc.).
Will you guarantee I make it to the top?
No, summiting Half Dome cannot be guaranteed. Your guide will make every effort to reach the summit, but your safety always comes first. If weather conditions such as rain, lightning, or a developing storm make the cables unsafe, we will not continue and will choose an alternate route or destination.
Yosemite is typically sunny during the summer. Weather is rarely a limiting factor, and we plan summit attempts around the best available conditions.
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)
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, and do you provide it?
Here is a link to the gear list. We also offer a gear rental option.
We want to make it easy for you to join the trip. If you don’t own backpacking gear, or prefer not to travel with it, you can choose our rental option and we’ll provide everything you need.
How do I get there? (Airport, car, parking...)
Fresno is the closest airport to Yosemite. Most people stay the night before and after the trip in Yosemite Valley, Oakhurst, or Fresno. You must fly in the day before your trip starts and fly out the day after it ends. We do not guarantee exact return times to the trailhead.
A car is required to reach the meeting point. Public transportation and taxis are not available in this area. Once inside Yosemite, parking is free for the duration of your trip, and no special parking pass is needed.
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
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 | 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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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 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 | 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 | moderate
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 | 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 | moderate
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!
