Why is the National Park Service implementing this permit system now?
In 2010, we instituted an interim permit system for the Half Dome cables to address safety concerns caused by crowded conditions on the busiest days (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays). During the 2010 season, park scientists monitored conditions on the cables. While monitoring revealed dramatically improved conditions on permit days, it indicated that unsafe conditions had shifted to Mondays through Thursdays. As a result, we required permits seven days per week beginning in 2011. (Read about studies related to the Half Dome cables.)
How long will this interim program continue?
The program was implemented as an emergency safety measure and funded during the 2010 and 2011 hiking season. The interim plan has now been extended through the 2012 hiking season while a permanent plan is being developed. The NPS expects to release plans for a permanent solution in early 2012.
How will the NPS develop a long-term plan?
We initiated an environmental assessment for the Half Dome Trail in spring 2010. This plan was released for public review on Jan. 24, 2012 and will be open for comment through March 15, 2012. The plan will likely be implemented in 2013. Your comments will be instrumental in creating the best plan. Please visit www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/hdp.htm to learn how you can get involved.
Who needs a permit to hike to Half Dome?
All people hiking to the top of Half Dome when the cables are up must have a permit. (The cables are usually up from the Friday before Memorial Day through Columbus Day, conditions permitting.)
Technical rock climbers ascending Half Dome without entering the subdome area do not need a permit to descend the cables.
Backpackers will receive a Half Dome permit with their wilderness permit if their wilderness itinerary reasonably includes Half Dome. While no additional reservations are necessary, there is now a $5/person fee. (Wilderness permits are already subject to a quota system.)
How can I obtain a permit to hike Half Dome?
Permits will be available by lottery from March 1 through March 31, 2012, with additional permits distributed by lottery during the hiking season. Visit www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdpermits.htm for details about Half Dome permits.
Permits are only available in advance online or over the phone and will not be available in Yosemite.
Why is the National Park Service distributing permits by lottery?
We evaluated different ways of distributing permits and incorporated public feedback. A lottery system provides equal access to everyone with an Internet connection or a telephone because the request does not need to be submitted at a precise moment. In addition, a lottery system makes it easier to reduce scalping and fraud.
Recreation.gov has the capability of providing an automated lottery service efficiently, at a low cost, and without needing to set up an area for in-park application and permit distribution. The daily lottery allows almost as much flexibility as having a day-before, in-park lottery system, but without dozens or hundreds of people needing to drive to a specific location during a particular time of day.
Why aren't permits available in Yosemite on a first-come, first-served basis?
The very high demand we would expect for the relatively few first-come, first-served permits available would lead to increased congestion in already busy areas within the park, a frustrating experience for visitors, and would be difficult to manage. However, this year, we will be distributing permits by lottery two days in advance. Visitors can apply to this lottery using the Internet or by phone during the application period (midnight to 1 pm each day during the hiking season). (The lottery is two days in advance to ensure visitors receive lottery results on time. Results will be available by the next morning.)
Why can I only get six permits at one time?
Nearly all groups hiking to Half Dome contained four or fewer people. We chose this number because we observed very few groups of Half Dome hikers having more than six people.
What if my family/group has more than six people?
If your group has more than six people, you will need to apply as two (or more) separate groups.
Why is the quota 400 people per day?
Managers estimate that a quota of 400 people per day allows for free flowing conditions on the cables throughout the day. This estimate was based on the a 2008 study, which was the best available data at the time. Free flowing conditions prevent additional fatigue to hikers waiting on the cables and provide hikers the freedom to manage their own experience and risk unimpeded by influences from other hikers. Prior to 2010, free-flowing conditions generally occurred on weekdays, during which time an average of about 400 people per day used the cables. The quota includes 300 day hikers and 100 backpackers. We are continuing a monitoring program so we can understand changes in conditions occurring from the interim permit system.
Why is there a fee for Half Dome permits?
The lottery application fee is $4.50 per permit application submitted online ($6.50 per application submitted by phone). This is Recreation.gov's processing fee. In 2011, Recreation.gov charged this same amount, but we simplified it to $1.50 per person, which is the approximate average cost per person. This year, we're charging the actual cost. (Using the first-come, first-served system in 2010 and 2011, only those who got a permit paid the processing fee. This year, everyone who applies to the lottery is charged a processing fee, including those whose application is not successful. Again, this is the fee Recreation.gov collects to cover its operating costs.)
In addition, this year, the National Park Service is also charging a fee only to those who receive permits. The fee is $5 per person and is charged at the time the permit is issued. This fee pays the cost of the park rangers checking for Half Dome permits and providing Half Dome hikers with hiking and safety information. The processing fee of $4.50 or $6.50 is non-refundable. The $5/person permit fee is refundable if the permit is canceled more than two days in advance.
Are the permits transferable?
No. The group leader or alternate listed on the permit must be present (with photo ID) to use the permit. Resale or auction of advance reservations is prohibited. Any resale or auction of permits will make the permit null and void.
Why not oversell permits so that 400 people per day are able to use the cables?
It is our goal that 400 people use the cables each day. Based on the rate of cancellations and permit under-use during the past two years, we will make approximately 50 permits available every day by lottery. We will monitor the rate of cancellations and permit under-use during the hiking season and make adjustments, if necessary.
