SoCal Trail RunningOutside SoCalYosemite National ParkSummer 2020

Day 2- Half Dome

9/2/20  After 6 unsuccessful attempts to secure a Half Dome permit, we decided to try it anyway and hope for the best. Fortunately, it worked out! Dr. Rock's first Half Dome summit. Unquestionably one of the best day hikes in the world.
Dr. Rock and I both tried three times to apply for a Half Dome lottery permit. All six attempts failed. We decided to try it anyway. These signs are posted multiple times along the trail. Hopefully it works out...
1 Dr. Rock and I both tried three times to apply for a Half Dome lottery permit. All six attempts failed. We decided to try it anyway. These signs are posted multiple times along the trail. Hopefully it works out...
 The requisite pose at the Half Dome trailhead sign. This trip was for Dr. Rock's 65th birthday. I can't imagine a better way to celebrate.
2 The requisite pose at the Half Dome trailhead sign. This trip was for Dr. Rock's 65th birthday. I can't imagine a better way to celebrate.
 The Vernal Fall bridge. You can barely see the waterfall on the left of the cliff face.
3 The Vernal Fall bridge. You can barely see the waterfall on the left of the cliff face.
 Hiking up the Mist Trail. In all the times I've done it, I've never seen the pool of water at the bottom. It's normally obscured by froth and mist. It's definitely a new and very cool look.
4 Hiking up the Mist Trail. In all the times I've done it, I've never seen the pool of water at the bottom. It's normally obscured by froth and mist. It's definitely a new and very cool look.
The spot from one my favorite photos from my trip here last year.
5 The spot from one my favorite photos from my trip here last year.
 Dr. Rock hiking up the 600 steps of the Mist Trail. A little drier than normal.
6 Dr. Rock hiking up the 600 steps of the Mist Trail. A little drier than normal.
 Good thing there's a railing here.
7 Good thing there's a railing here.
 Looking down the face of Vernal Fall.
8 Looking down the face of Vernal Fall.
Top of the falls. I've never seen exposed rock here before.
9 Top of the falls. I've never seen exposed rock here before.
 Silver Apron and the Emerald Pool. There's no water on the apron!
10 Silver Apron and the Emerald Pool. There's no water on the apron!
 Devil's Gorge isn't quite so devilish this late in the Summer.
11 Devil's Gorge isn't quite so devilish this late in the Summer.
 Through the tree tunnel on the way to Nevada Fall.
12 Through the tree tunnel on the way to Nevada Fall.
Making our way up the steep trail alongside Nevada Fall.
13 Making our way up the steep trail alongside Nevada Fall.
 The Merced River above the falls. Classic Sierra scenery up here.
14 The Merced River above the falls. Classic Sierra scenery up here.
 Now heading through the forest on our way to the domes.
15 Now heading through the forest on our way to the domes.
 A bear sighting! A decent sized brownish Black bear not too far away. He was pretty mellow like most of them around here.
16 A bear sighting! A decent sized brownish Black bear not too far away. He was pretty mellow like most of them around here.
Our first view of Quarter Dome and the cables up Half Dome. This is usually when the adrenaline starts to kick up a notch. Just ahead is the Ranger checking permits and guarding the trail. Fortunately, between it being Dr. Rock's birthday, and there being a group before us with an extra permit, the Ranger was nice and let us go up without one.
17 Our first view of Quarter Dome and the cables up Half Dome. This is usually when the adrenaline starts to kick up a notch. Just ahead is the Ranger checking permits and guarding the trail. Fortunately, between it being Dr. Rock's birthday, and there being a group before us with an extra permit, the Ranger was nice and let us go up without one.
 Dr. Rock powering up the steps of Quarter Dome (now evidently called the subdome).
18 Dr. Rock powering up the steps of Quarter Dome (now evidently called the subdome).
 Top of Quarter Dome and starting to get a better look at the cables.
19 Top of Quarter Dome and starting to get a better look at the cables.
 First full view of the cables. If the adrenaline wasn't flowing yet, it is now! Definitely a lot less crowded than last time I was here before they started requiring permits.
20 First full view of the cables. If the adrenaline wasn't flowing yet, it is now! Definitely a lot less crowded than last time I was here before they started requiring permits.
Dr. Rock getting ready to start up the cables. He has a slight issue with heights. I think he's checking his heart rate here :)
21 Dr. Rock getting ready to start up the cables. He has a slight issue with heights. I think he's checking his heart rate here :)
 Starting the climb.
22 Starting the climb.
 Made it to the top. No problem!
23 Made it to the top. No problem!
 Epic views of Tenaya Canyon with Cloud's Rest on the right.
24 Epic views of Tenaya Canyon with Cloud's Rest on the right.
Panorama from the summit.
25 Panorama from the summit.
 One of the iconic views from the top of Half Dome.
26 One of the iconic views from the top of Half Dome.
 No better way to celebrate a 65th birthday!
27 No better way to celebrate a 65th birthday!
 Dr. Rock and I on the summit. His first, my 10th or so, and awesome every time.
28 Dr. Rock and I on the summit. His first, my 10th or so, and awesome every time.
Looking back at the main summit from the other side of the summit. I don't know why nobody ever comes over here. Maybe because it's a few feet lower than the other side?
29 Looking back at the main summit from the other side of the summit. I don't know why nobody ever comes over here. Maybe because it's a few feet lower than the other side?
 Now for the fun part. Heading down the cables is unquestionably tougher than heading up. Dr. Rock decides to try it facing out rather than facing the rock.
30 Now for the fun part. Heading down the cables is unquestionably tougher than heading up. Dr. Rock decides to try it facing out rather than facing the rock.
 Facing outward is much more vertigo inducing, but Dr. Rock has no problem. Impressive for his first time!
31 Facing outward is much more vertigo inducing, but Dr. Rock has no problem. Impressive for his first time!
 Now heading down the Quarter Dome steps. I think Dr. Rock was dreading this part even more than coming down the cables.
32 Now heading down the Quarter Dome steps. I think Dr. Rock was dreading this part even more than coming down the cables.
Back down to the Merced.
33 Back down to the Merced.
 We stopped by the Nevada Fall overlook. Another vertigo inducing spot.
34 We stopped by the Nevada Fall overlook. Another vertigo inducing spot.
 Top of Nevada Fall. A fraction of Spring water levels but cool looking nonetheless.
35 Top of Nevada Fall. A fraction of Spring water levels but cool looking nonetheless.
 Heading down the John Muir Trail. Here we're at Clark Point, one of the best views in the entire valley. Half Dome, Mt. Broderick, Liberty Cap, and Nevada Fall all in one frame. Not long after, we were back to the car for the end of our successful Half Dome mission.
36 Heading down the John Muir Trail. Here we're at Clark Point, one of the best views in the entire valley. Half Dome, Mt. Broderick, Liberty Cap, and Nevada Fall all in one frame. Not long after, we were back to the car for the end of our successful Half Dome mission.
We stop at Inspiration Point on our way out of the Valley. The view is hazy from fire smoke but is still as awesome as ever.
37 We stop at Inspiration Point on our way out of the Valley. The view is hazy from fire smoke but is still as awesome as ever.
    
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