Half Dome Backcountry Treks

• Backpack & Hike to Half Dome, one of the most iconic summits in the continental United States 
• Traverse one of Yosemite National Park’s most famous trails: The Mist Trail
• Waterfalls (Vernal & Nevada Falls) and Swimming along the Merced River
• One night in a Group Backcountry Campsite in Little Yosemite Valley
• Two days of hiking and backpacking for a combined 16.5 miles
• Meditation/Guided Breathwork and Silence on the Trail each day & Community Conversations and Insight Sharing

• No 2024 Treks planned at present.

• Day One:  Arrive at and check into hotel lodging inside/outside Yosemite
• Day Two:  Backpack to Little Yosemite Valley (4.5 miles) & spend the night under the stars
• Day Three:  Wake early for a sunrise hike to summit Half Dome (7 miles round trip), Pack back out (5 miles) & Stay at hotel lodging in/near the park
• Day Four:  Check out of lodging & explore on your way home

**The normal trail route ascends through the Mist Trail and back out the John Muir Trail. In the event of a trail closure or group performance levels, we will use the John Muir trail both directions.

• Two nights of hotel lodging pre & post trek inside or just outside the park
• Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad, and multi-day backpack 
• High quality, synthetic 20 degree sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use) & inflatable pillow – or bring your own.
• Use of trekking poles
• All meals during the backcountry segment of the trip (1 Breakfast, 2 Lunches, and 1 Dinner & Dessert, plus coffee/tea in the morning)
• National Park backcountry camping permits: Extremely sought-after & hard to get permits for the Half Dome cables!
• Bear canisters as needed for food storage 
• Water purifier, stoves, and cooking/kitchen equipment
• Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and satellite communication device
• Certified Wilderness Guide(s) to lead and guide your trek

With any summit attempt there is always a chance that summiting will NOT be an option due to cable closure or other extenuating circumstances. Optimize Trek will determine, in conjunction with the National Park Services and in consideration of weather and group/participant realities, whether a summit attempt is reasonable. An Optimize Trek Guide will remain with active hikers, especially while summiting via the cables. If a participant does not feel comfortable climbing the cables, they may wait at the base of the dome or the cables while the remainder of the group summits and returns to meet them. NOTE: all non cable climbers must remain at the sub dome or cable base until the group is reunited. They may not hike or leave the area without their designated Guide.   

Half Dome berths are highly sought-after. Reach out to Optimize Trek for an application form to begin the vetting process. Once selected, you will secure your spot with a 50% trek deposit.  The balance is due 30 days prior to departure.