P.O. Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389
www.nps.gov/yose/news

209 372-0529 phone
209 372-0371 fax

May 25, 2005
For Immediate Release

Installation of Half Dome Trail Cables Announced

The cables providing access to hikers to the summit of Half Dome will be in place on June 16, 2005, weather permitting.

The winter snow pack of recent years has been light enough to allow Yosemite National Park crews to put up the cables around Memorial Day. However, an unusually heavy snowpack and unsettled spring weather have delayed the trail crews' ability to put the cables up on the Half Dome Trail this year.

The trail to the summit of Half Dome is one of the most popular hikes in the park, in part because of the challenge that the final ascent provides as well as the outstanding scenery. A series of metal cables are placed along the steep shoulder of the dome to assist hikers to the summit.

The Half Dome hike is a round-trip hike of 17 miles and is considered extremely strenuous due the gain of almost 4,800 feet of elevation. Visitors are advised to take appropriate precautions when attempting a hike of this length and difficulty, and to be prepared for changing weather and trail conditions.

Hikers should also be aware that during this summer access to summit of Half Dome will be restricted due to trail repairs on the shoulder portion of the dome from July 6th through October 4, 2005. The trail will be closed Monday through Thursday from 7:30am to 4:00pm. The trail will be open outside of these hours. Visitors are reminded that no overnight camping is permitted on top of Half Dome.

Please call 209/372-0200 for more information on trail conditions.

-NPS-