Yosemite National Park Extends Public Scoping Period Regarding Visitor Use on Trails Leading to Half Dome and the Half Dome Cables

Date: June 30, 2010

Yosemite National Park announces the extension of the public scoping period for visitor use on the trail leading to Half Dome and the Half Dome cables. The scoping period has been extended to July 6, 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 a permit 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, as well as the Mist Trail and portions of the John Muir Trail leading up to Half Dome, in order to assess the effectiveness of the interim program.

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. To submit comments on this topic, the public can contact the park by the following means:

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

To find out more about the Half Dome Trail Stewardship Plan please visithttps://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/planning.htm.