Half Dome (2693m) is a famous mountain standing from Yosemite Valley with over 1400m in elevation. Although it takes all day for the round trip hike, the nice overlook around upper parts of Half Dome attracts us.
I visited Yosemite with my laboratory colleague who proposed to hike to the base of Half Dome.
I visited Yosemite with my laboratory colleague who proposed to hike to the base of Half Dome.
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On the way to Yosemite village. There is a huge rock, El Capitan. |
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In a 'Tent Cabin' at the Curry Village. We decided to stay at a Tent Cabin although we brought our tents. It seemed warmer and more comfortable than our own tent. |
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A bulletin board in the tent cabin says"NO FOOD OR DRINKING ALLOWED IN OR AROUND TENT AREA". We noticed after cooking outside. We are sorry..... |
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On the next morning. The Curry Village Parking was the hike's starting point of this hike. Because the hiking guidebook said it took 10 hours round trip to Half Dome, we had to depart early and go in a hurry. The mountain behind us is Half Dome. |
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We are approaching Vernal Falls . In the summer, its abundant water sends up spray and reachs the trail. |
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This is a closer view of Vernal Fall. There are steep stairs leading to the top on the right of the falls. |
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From the top of the falls. Poweful water flows! |
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The Merced River makes a deep valley and the Mist Trail goes along the river. A big rock at left side is Liberty Cap. We can see Nevada Fall on the right of this picture. |
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The closer view of Nevada Falls. |
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The trail leaves the Merced River and goes into woods. |
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And then, the trees decreases gradually and the ground turns to a huge rock from soil. Steep, but a good view trail continues to the top. |
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Here is the base of the Half Dome. It was our goal at this time and the top of Half Dome was behind us. We did't go to the top because a ladder made by cables is detached in the winter season from November. |
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Here is a view from the base. Some people were climbing up using their harnesses and the cable left on the rock. |
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There is a caution sign warning against lightning at the base of Half Dome. One hiker said someone was killed by the lightning this summer... |
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The overlook from the base. Snow covers the upper part of the ridge line. |
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We went back along the same route. The steep slope trail goes into woods... |
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At the pond on the top of the Vernal Fall. Many leaves were turning to yellow. |
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This sign is near the starting point and shows the distance of each trail. Half Dome is 11.3km distant from here. |
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We returned to the starting point at 17:30. On the return, one hiker from Santa Barbara joined us and we enjoyed talking. |
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（Updated；12.5.2005）
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