Beyond the OverlookHiking Toward Half Dome: What We Would Do Differently
Build up to this hike, check the permit requirements, and choose a turnaround you are comfortable with. The scenery can make the day worthwhile even without the summit.
Last reviewed September 2026 · How we review our guides
Choose the hike for your ability, not just the famous summit
We would only plan a long Half Dome day after building up to the distance and checking the route and permit requirements. If the waterfalls are your main goal, consider the Vernal and Nevada Falls hike instead. You do not have to make Half Dome the objective to experience this part of Yosemite.
A turnaround can still be a good decision
We walked from Upper Pines, went up the Mist Trail and returned via the John Muir Trail. Our approximately 17-mile day ended before the cables because we had not realized we needed a permit. We did not reach the summit, and we felt good about turning around: the views along the way had already made the day worthwhile.
Test your footwear before a day this long
Wear shoes you have already used on long walks. I wore brand-new boots and finished with very painful feet. That is the detail I would most want another hiker to learn from. Build up your hiking distance, know your route, and use the long-hike packing list to prepare. Despite our mistakes, this was the trip that made me want to hike more.
Planning context: NPS describes the full Half Dome summit hike as 14–16 miles round trip with about 4,800 feet of elevation gain; route choices affect distance. Those are summit-route figures measured from the trailhead. Our approximately 17-mile outing includes the walk from Upper Pines and the longer John Muir return; it is a reconstructed estimate, not a GPS measurement. A permit is required when the cables are up. Check the official Half Dome guide before planning an attempt.
Plan the rest of your Yosemite trip
Where we stayed · Parking and early starts · Long-hike packing list