A classic hike everyone should do at least once. Really wish I'd done it on a weekday, as the crowds were overwhelming at times. Bypass the waiting line by going up the outside of the cables.
I was with my boyfriend's school group. It was November of 1988. We camped at Little Yosemite Valley then hiked the cables the next morning. The view from the top was incredible, of course. I remember lying down on my stomach on a sloping rock and looking over the edge of the northwest face. Lots of crowds but still a beautiful area.
To avoid the crowds we climbed at night. Left camp at 3:30am and enjoyed a sunrise breakfast at the top. Only one other group up there besides us, but there were a lot more on the way up when we were coming down.....surprising for late Sept.
After climbing Mount Whitney two days earlier, I was not satisfied and needed more elevation. I took the standard route to the top. Great views!!!
rhyang - Sep 25, 2006 4:47 am Date Climbed: Sep 23, 2006
Snake Dike
Climbed with Kris. Started from Happy Isles trailhead at 5am, roped up at 9:15, topped out route by 1:15pm. Lots of people up top, where we spent about a half hour snacking, taking pics, etc. Started down the cables route at 2:30, back at the car around 5pm.
Fortunately we were the first party on the route, but there were immediately 10 people behind us. We let a YMS guide & client pass us. Kris led pitches 1,3,5,7 and I led 2,4,6,8 (including the 5.7 friction traverse). The cables descent was seriously crowded. The weather was pretty much perfect, and views fabulous.
Gear: 60m rope, set of nuts, cams from black alien to 0.75 C4, 6 trad draws, one double length sling, 2 cordelettes, a couple of other slings and biners. Felt like plenty of gear.
Probably could have started earlier than we did - got a bit off route on the approach, and spent some time looking for the start.
Discussion with my wife determined that that only way to reduce the crowds to an acceptable level would be to do the hike at night. So the next full moon up we went. Left Happy Isles at 2:40, up to the top by 6:16 plenty of time before sunrise. Only ~30 people on top.
One of the most beautiful hikes I've ever been on. Perfect day and the views never stopped to amaze. Crowds were there, but the experience was still very enjoyable.
On Sept 10, I left Happy Isles at 2:45am and reached the top via the standard cables route at 8:45am. (6hrs) Spent an hour at the top and came back down to happy isles by 2:30pm. I took the Mist trail to Vernal falls, but then "lost" it in the dark and ended up going JMT to Nevada falls. On the way back down, I came by the Mist trail all the way, since it's shorter. I was very sore before I started, since I had just climbed Whitney the day before, and only did this hike on a whim the next day since I saw Half Dome rising from the valley when I pulle dover at Olmstead point on the drive back. Beautiful to be on the summit without crowds. There was no one on the cables when I went up, but people were starting to arrive when I was on the way down. Only 4-5 people seemed to have summitted earlier than me that morning.
boisedoc - Sep 11, 2006 5:26 am Date Climbed: Jun 8, 1996
Incredible views
Fun hike up the Cables Route. Spectacular views from the top.
Travis_ - Sep 9, 2006 11:15 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2005
SamG - Sep 2, 2006 3:29 am Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2002
Fun
Fun hike
jonhersh - Aug 31, 2006 10:14 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 1991
2 times
Climbed it the first time as part of a backpack trip from Sunrise Lakes trailhead. I still remember being amazed by the exposure standing on the diving board.
Climbed it a 2nd time as a dayhike from the valley with a friend from Nepal. With no training and uncomfortable boots he still kicked my butt.
thediddler - Aug 31, 2006 6:59 am Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2004
Mist/ JMT
First long hike after 8 years of inactivity. IB issues, but it was a successful day.
Rockman - Aug 29, 2006 4:58 am Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2006
Third Time
Third time was nice but the first I'll never forget.
osatrik - Aug 25, 2006 6:52 am Date Climbed: Aug 19, 1972
Cables - 1972
My sister and I climbed this on a trip with Holly and Leslie. I found the date on the back of the photo! The bears got our food above Nevada Falls (this was before the days of bear boxes), but we were not to be denied that photo on the overhang at the summit. 5000 ft of nothing but air!!! Whahooooooooo
Peak Baguette - Aug 19, 2006 4:45 am Date Climbed: Jun 25, 2006
5th time: Valley/Mist/Cables
One of my favorite hikes - I love the beauty and power of the falls on the Mist Trail. My fifth time - and I love it even more every time I summit!
Vertigo soul - Aug 14, 2006 6:41 pm Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2006
The Cables
Me and my girlfriend enjoyed the summit to ourselves (almost, for the exception a nice guy me met on the way). I can't imagine climbing the cables later with all the crowds. We heard the day before there was a 45-minute wait to use the cables, and that there was between 200-300 people on the summit at one time. F@#% that!
Jerry L - Oct 23, 2006 12:18 am
Awesome - Summer 1974I never thought about this one. Wow, it's been over 30 years. Time sure does fly.
heyitsme - Oct 17, 2006 9:25 pm
half domedone this a few times. done in 5 hrs n 15 min, gotta get that under 5 now ...
redone, 4 hrs 25 min ... now to hit 4 hr
Grizz42 - Sep 28, 2006 5:10 pm Date Climbed: Jul 27, 2006
CablesGreat and easy hike in a beautiful park. First time to the top.
brianhughes - Sep 27, 2006 3:44 pm Date Climbed: Sep 23, 2006
Mist Trail / CablesA classic hike everyone should do at least once. Really wish I'd done it on a weekday, as the crowds were overwhelming at times. Bypass the waiting line by going up the outside of the cables.
Kerstin - Sep 27, 2006 2:49 am
Cable routeI was with my boyfriend's school group. It was November of 1988. We camped at Little Yosemite Valley then hiked the cables the next morning. The view from the top was incredible, of course. I remember lying down on my stomach on a sloping rock and looking over the edge of the northwest face. Lots of crowds but still a beautiful area.
kolbi2112 - Sep 26, 2006 8:15 pm Date Climbed: Sep 25, 2006
Night climbTo avoid the crowds we climbed at night. Left camp at 3:30am and enjoyed a sunrise breakfast at the top. Only one other group up there besides us, but there were a lot more on the way up when we were coming down.....surprising for late Sept.
Tbacon251 - Sep 25, 2006 7:41 pm Date Climbed: Sep 23, 2006
Half DomeAfter climbing Mount Whitney two days earlier, I was not satisfied and needed more elevation. I took the standard route to the top. Great views!!!
rhyang - Sep 25, 2006 4:47 am Date Climbed: Sep 23, 2006
Snake DikeClimbed with Kris. Started from Happy Isles trailhead at 5am, roped up at 9:15, topped out route by 1:15pm. Lots of people up top, where we spent about a half hour snacking, taking pics, etc. Started down the cables route at 2:30, back at the car around 5pm.
Fortunately we were the first party on the route, but there were immediately 10 people behind us. We let a YMS guide & client pass us. Kris led pitches 1,3,5,7 and I led 2,4,6,8 (including the 5.7 friction traverse). The cables descent was seriously crowded. The weather was pretty much perfect, and views fabulous.
Gear: 60m rope, set of nuts, cams from black alien to 0.75 C4, 6 trad draws, one double length sling, 2 cordelettes, a couple of other slings and biners. Felt like plenty of gear.
Probably could have started earlier than we did - got a bit off route on the approach, and spent some time looking for the start.
kaos14 - Sep 21, 2006 6:03 pm Date Climbed: Sep 8, 2006
FunDiscussion with my wife determined that that only way to reduce the crowds to an acceptable level would be to do the hike at night. So the next full moon up we went. Left Happy Isles at 2:40, up to the top by 6:16 plenty of time before sunrise. Only ~30 people on top.
RomaK - Sep 18, 2006 7:55 pm
Cables hikeOne of the most beautiful hikes I've ever been on. Perfect day and the views never stopped to amaze. Crowds were there, but the experience was still very enjoyable.
reachmp - Sep 13, 2006 7:38 pm Date Climbed: Sep 10, 2006
Early morning hike....On Sept 10, I left Happy Isles at 2:45am and reached the top via the standard cables route at 8:45am. (6hrs) Spent an hour at the top and came back down to happy isles by 2:30pm. I took the Mist trail to Vernal falls, but then "lost" it in the dark and ended up going JMT to Nevada falls. On the way back down, I came by the Mist trail all the way, since it's shorter. I was very sore before I started, since I had just climbed Whitney the day before, and only did this hike on a whim the next day since I saw Half Dome rising from the valley when I pulle dover at Olmstead point on the drive back. Beautiful to be on the summit without crowds. There was no one on the cables when I went up, but people were starting to arrive when I was on the way down. Only 4-5 people seemed to have summitted earlier than me that morning.
boisedoc - Sep 11, 2006 5:26 am Date Climbed: Jun 8, 1996
Incredible viewsFun hike up the Cables Route. Spectacular views from the top.
Travis_ - Sep 9, 2006 11:15 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2005
Half Dome 8/6/5I lead a small group up halfdome. Great hike.
(http://www.outdoorsclub.org/PastTrip/PastTripDetail.asp?id=8732&leadername=Travis+Linds)
SamG - Sep 2, 2006 3:29 am Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2002
FunFun hike
jonhersh - Aug 31, 2006 10:14 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 1991
2 timesClimbed it the first time as part of a backpack trip from Sunrise Lakes trailhead. I still remember being amazed by the exposure standing on the diving board.
Climbed it a 2nd time as a dayhike from the valley with a friend from Nepal. With no training and uncomfortable boots he still kicked my butt.
thediddler - Aug 31, 2006 6:59 am Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2004
Mist/ JMTFirst long hike after 8 years of inactivity. IB issues, but it was a successful day.
Rockman - Aug 29, 2006 4:58 am Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2006
Third TimeThird time was nice but the first I'll never forget.
osatrik - Aug 25, 2006 6:52 am Date Climbed: Aug 19, 1972
Cables - 1972My sister and I climbed this on a trip with Holly and Leslie. I found the date on the back of the photo! The bears got our food above Nevada Falls (this was before the days of bear boxes), but we were not to be denied that photo on the overhang at the summit. 5000 ft of nothing but air!!! Whahooooooooo
Peak Baguette - Aug 19, 2006 4:45 am Date Climbed: Jun 25, 2006
5th time: Valley/Mist/CablesOne of my favorite hikes - I love the beauty and power of the falls on the Mist Trail. My fifth time - and I love it even more every time I summit!
Vertigo soul - Aug 14, 2006 6:41 pm Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2006
The CablesMe and my girlfriend enjoyed the summit to ourselves (almost, for the exception a nice guy me met on the way). I can't imagine climbing the cables later with all the crowds. We heard the day before there was a 45-minute wait to use the cables, and that there was between 200-300 people on the summit at one time. F@#% that!