YExplore has received our 2023 Half Dome Permits. If you would like to attempt the summit of Half Dome on a guided hike, we are offering the following dates to the public: June 27,29; July 16,17; and August 11. Please visit our Hike Half Dome page to book this tour.
Half Dome is the tallest peak in Yosemite Valley, rising 8,842 feet above sea level. It is one of the main attractions in Yosemite National Park and one of the most popular day hikes in the world. The only way to hike to the summit of Half Dome during peak summer months is to obtain a permit through the lottery program. Each year, the lottery becomes more difficult to navigate, and the management team at Yosemite continues to make it more difficult to run tours to Half Dome. This year we only received 5 dates so we anticipate selling out our inventory of Half Dome Hiking Tours early.
YExplore was established in 2006 with a passion for exploring the natural world with fellow adventure seekers from across the globe. All of our guides are local to Yosemite with a wealth of experience. John DeGrazio, our lead Half Dome Guide, has reached the summit of Half Dome 200 times. He made his 200th ascent last October. “I enjoy sharing nature with guests from all over the world. Spending a day in this setting creates an unbreakable bond shared by the entire team. I only wish the National Park Service would find more value in the safety benefits we provide to our groups and the general public and try to be more cooperative instead of imposing more restrictions on us each year,” DeGrazio states.
The guided Half Dome hike typically lasts 12-13 hours and covers 19 miles with about 5,000 feet of elevation gain. It requires maximum endurance and serious physical training. Our experienced guides help prepare you for the day while also lending support for the extreme physical and mental challenge of the hike. We will also send you a a gear preparation list to help you pack efficiently for the trek.
If you would like to have added safety trekking with an experienced leader and have already acquired 2023 Half Dome Permits through recreation.gov, then YExplore can be added as your guide. You’ve done the hard part, and we’d be happy to assist you in achieving your goal. If you did not receive 2023 Half Dome Permits or believe this trek may be a little too extreme, we have many other guided opportunities to choose from. We have several Yosemite tours that are suitable for all levels of experience and fitness in every season.
Please also visit our Yosemite Shop with a newly developed product line featuring our Yosemite Tunnel View Bear.
