Half Dome via Mist Trail

Overview

Half Dome via Mist Trail is a 14.2 mi hiking route inside Yosemite National Park in California. The trail climbs roughly 4,800 ft from trailhead to high point and is logged as a out & back in the Trail Compass directory. At a steady walking pace it works out to about 9.5 hours on trail, though most parties add time for photos, snack breaks, and the inevitable view-stopping moments along the way.

Difficulty rating

Expert is not a marketing label here. 14.2 mi on trail with 4,800 ft of cumulative gain in the California coast and Sierra foothills pushes Half Dome via Mist Trail beyond a typical day hike. Experienced backcountry travelers approach this one with a real plan: alpine start, watched forecast, the Ten Essentials, an honest read of the slowest member, and a documented bail-out point. This is not a route to attempt as your first hike of the season.

Best season to hike

Best season for Half Dome via Mist Trail in the California coast and Sierra foothills is generally October through May for the coast; Sierra trails open June through October depending on snow year. Local conditions can shift quickly — cold snaps, wildfire smoke, blowdown, river crossings, or trailhead-road closures all happen — so confirm the current status with the managing agency for Yosemite National Park before you commit to a long drive.

Wildlife to expect

Wildlife on this route reflects the surrounding California coast and Sierra foothills: hikers regularly report sightings of sea otters and harbor seals offshore, mule deer in the chaparral, brush rabbits, scrub jays, and California condors recovering in select corridors. Give every animal a wide berth — a hundred yards minimum for bears and any predator, the length of a soccer field for hooved animals during rut. Keep food sealed, never feed wildlife, and store anything scented inside a vehicle when you park at the trailhead.

Parking & trailhead access

Parking and trailhead access for Half Dome via Mist Trail typically fills early on weekends and holidays — for a long route like this one, plan to arrive at the trailhead before sunrise. Some access roads in California close seasonally for snow, mud, or fire restrictions, so verify the road status as well as trail conditions. Cell service near most Yosemite National Park trailheads is unreliable; download offline maps and load the route into your watch or phone in town.

What to bring

For a hike of 14.2 mi with roughly 4,800 ft of elevation gain, plan on about 9.5 hours on trail at a steady pace. Carry at least a liter of water for every two miles, more in summer or above treeline. Pack real food if your turnaround is past midday, sun protection, a light insulating layer, and a map (paper or downloaded). Footwear should match the surface — trail runners are fine on smoother sections, while rocky or rooty ground favors a stiffer hiking shoe or light boot.

Nearby attractions

Nearby in Yosemite National Park you can extend the day with shorter walks near the visitor center, picnic stops at established overlooks, and connector trails that link into the broader California park network. The Trail Compass park page for Yosemite National Park lists every other indexed trail in the same boundary, which is the fastest way to find a complementary hike — pair this route with something shorter and gentler if you have a mixed-fitness group.

Local tips

A few tips that hold up across the California coast and Sierra foothills: If parking looks impossible, do not invent a spot on the road shoulder; rangers in California routinely tow, and the next-closest legal lot is usually just a mile or two away. Leave No Trace applies on every Trail Compass-listed route — stay on the established tread, pack out everything including food scraps, and give wildlife the room they need to ignore you.

About this listing

Trail Compass aggregates publicly available park and trail information so that you can compare options before heading out. Distances, elevation profiles, and difficulty ratings come from official park sources where available, supplemented by community contributions and OpenStreetMap data. Always confirm seasonal closures, permit requirements, and current safety alerts directly with Yosemite National Park before your trip.