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Yosemite To Be Busy For Memorial Day, Half Dome Cables Not Up

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By NPT Staff - May 23rd, 2019

Crowds are expected to descend on the Yosemite Valley during the long Memorial Day weekend. One place you won't be able to head to escape the crowds will be Half Dome. Yosemite National Park staff say the cables up the iconic granite dome won't be up before May 30.

Holiday weekend visitors are encouraged to arrive in the park before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Once in the park, visitors are urged to park their vehicles at the Yosemite Village, Yosemite Falls, or Half Dome Village day parking areas and enjoy Yosemite Valley by using the free shuttle bus service, bike paths, and hiking trails. Parking in Yosemite Valley is limited and parking is expected to fill early.

All campgrounds in Yosemite Valley, as well as Wawona and Hodgdon Meadow campgrounds, are on the reservation system (www.recreation.gov) and are sold out for the entire weekend. There are no first come, first served campgrounds currently open in Yosemite National Park. Camp 4 Campground is now on a daily lottery system. To enter the daily lottery, visit www.recreation.gov. There are a large number of campground and lodging options in the gateway communities surrounding the park.

The Tioga Road through Yosemite remains closed due to the heavy winter snowpack. The opening date for 2019 is undetermined. Tioga Road is a seasonal road that opens for the season as weather and road conditions allow. The El Portal Road, the Wawona Road, and Big Oak Flat Road are open to all vehicular traffic to Yosemite Valley.

Hiking Trails at high elevations remain snow-covered. Visitors planning to hike are encouraged to be prepared for winter hiking conditions, especially at elevations above 7,000 feet. Hikers should be prepared to turn back if they encounter challenging conditions like unexpected water crossings, snow, and ice on trails. The 4 Mile Trail from Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point remains closed due to snow, ice, and recent rockfalls.

Half Dome Cables – Status Update

The Half Dome Cables, which are installed each season by the Yosemite Trail Crew as conditions allow, are still down and will remain down at least through May 30 due to snow, ice and other hazards on the trail.

There is no estimated date on when the cables will be ready for use. You can check the Yosemite National Park website for an update after May 30. Permits are required to climb the Half Dome Cables. For more information on Half Dome Permits, please visit https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdpermits.htm. 

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