Half Dome Trailhead
Trailhead · 4,000 ft · Yosemite corridor
Half Dome Trailhead sits at 4000 feet in Yosemite's High Sierra corridor, serving as the primary access point to one of California's most iconic granite peaks. Morning conditions here are typically calmer than the exposed ridges above.
Wind averages 7 mph but can spike to 17 mph by afternoon, funneling up the valley and across the dome's face. Mornings are substantially calmer. Temperature swings sharply with elevation and time of day; expect 41 degrees on average but plan for freezing nights and 60-plus afternoon highs in peak season.
Over the last 30 days, Half Dome Trailhead averaged a NoGo Score of 23 with wind peaking at 17 mph and crowding at 32 people per standard interval. Temperature has hovered near 41 degrees. The week ahead typically tracks the seasonal norm for late April: morning windows narrow as afternoon thermals strengthen, and parking pressure rises sharply after midweek.
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About Half Dome Trailhead
Half Dome Trailhead anchors the eastern end of Yosemite Valley's main corridor, accessed via California 120 through Tuolumne Meadows or via Wawona and the South Entrance. The parking area sits at the base of the Mist Trail and serves as the launch point for the Half Dome backcountry route. From the trailhead, Highway 140 is roughly 45 minutes west; Tuolumne Meadows and the high country are 60 minutes east. Summer weekends fill the lot by 7 a.m.; weekdays and shoulder seasons offer more latitude.
The trailhead sits in a rain shadow between the Sierra crest and the Valley floor, making it drier than the western slopes but wetter than the high desert beyond the range. Spring snowmelt peaks in late April and May, raising water levels and trail hazard through June. Summer afternoon winds average 7 mph but accelerate rapidly between 2 and 5 p.m., driven by thermal circulation off the granite. Winter closes Highway 120 intermittently; check conditions before driving from the north. Crowding averages 32 people per standard interval in late April but spikes sharply once school holidays begin.
Half Dome Trailhead suits experienced backcountry hikers comfortable with steep granite, exposed scrambling, and pre-dawn starts. The route demands an early departure to reach the cables and return before afternoon lightning risk and crowded conditions amplify. Spring runners often tackle the route when water is abundant but before peak summer crowds. Winter access is rare but possible in dry spells. Plan on 10 to 14 hours round-trip; parking pressure and wind make midday starts inadvisable.
Nearby Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall offer shorter, heavily trafficked alternatives via the Mist Trail. Mirror Lake (seasonal) provides an easier, lower-elevation option when Half Dome crowds peak. The high-country lakes accessed via Tuolumne Meadows and Highway 120 offer similar granite scenery with less crowding and lower wind exposure once you top the ridgeline. For shuttle-assisted routes, the Valley Loop Trail and Bridalveil Fall provide accessible views without backcountry commitment.