Yosemite National Park Opens Public Scoping Period Regarding Visitor Use on the Half Dome Cables

Date: May 13, 2010

Yosemite National Park announces the opening of the public scoping period for visitor use on the Half Dome cables.  The scoping period will run from May 26, 2010 to June 25, 2010.  The public is invited to submit written ideas regarding a long term plan for visitor use on the Half Dome cables.  The purpose of the plan will be to provide for the long-term stewardship of Half Dome in a manner that is consistent with the 1964 Wilderness Act and the National Park Service Organic Act. 

An interim program is currently in place for the 2010 and 2011 summer season that requires permits to ascend the Half Dome cables on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.  Yosemite National Park will be monitoring visitor use on the Half Dome cables and assessing the effectiveness of the interim program at the conclusion of this summer and next summer. 

The hike to the top of Half Dome is one of the most popular hikes in Yosemite.  Most visitors ascend Half Dome via the cables, which are in place from mid-May through mid-October.  The increase in popularity of the hike has resulted in large numbers of visitors using the cables, particularly on weekends and holidays.  This has resulted in significant safety concerns, has impacted the resources, and has negatively affected the visitor experience. 

• Specifically, the plan will:
  Institute appropriate management that will protect and enhance the natural and cultural environment of the area around Half Dome
• Establish appropriate conditions along the trails leading up to the Half Dome cables

Public participation is integral for the success of this plan. The public comment period for the Interim Program for the Half Dome Day Use Permits runs from May 26 to June 25, 2010.  To submit comments on this topic, contact the park by any of the following means:

Attend a National Park Service public open house:

• May 26, 2010 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the East Auditorium in Yosemite Valley
• A second public meeting to be announced soon

Mail:  Superintendent 
 Attn: Half Dome Trail Stewardship Plan EA
 P.O. Box 577
 Yosemite, CA 95389   
Fax: [phone]
Visit the park website and link to PEPC website: www.parkplanning.nps.gov/yose