does anyone know when the cables come down at 1/2 dome, yosemite?

Answer 1

To clarify the above answer:

The don't actually take down the steel rope cables. They take out the steel pipe uprights and the wooden 2x4s that are placed every 6 to 10 feet.

The steel cables are left to rest against the rock face (think what would be involved in raising and lowering them each year?!).

So while they are there all the time, it would be tough to use them after early October. They weigh a ton, (literally!) and you'd get really tired tiring to hold them off the rock face enough to grab hold of. And your posture would be lousy - all bent over the whole way up.

I find I don't actually need the cables to get enough traction to go up in regular hiking shoes (rock climbing shoes would be even stickier) - sometimes I'll pass people who are on the outside of the cables on a crowded day by just letting go and continuing on up. Like doing the uncabled Snake Dike route on the opposite side of Half Dome.

But hanging on to the cables definitely is much easier and less nerve-racking. And getting into October, you could get a dusting of snow or a frozen dew that would make you REALLY want those cables in place.

As you get into shorter days now, if you're going from the Valley in one day, get a REALLY early start. It is much easier and safer to head uphill in the dark or by headlamp, than to be going down like that. Also, you get the trail and the summit to ourself if you're the first one on the trail. Personally, I'd leave at 5am. 4 am, if I could get to bed early the night before.

Answer 2

I spoke to a Ranger today at the Yosemite Wilderness Center phone # [phone] and he said " after Columbus day weekend". I climbed there last summer and the place is awesome, especially in the spring, early summer when the water is high due to snow melt. Give them a call and you can get the trail head reservations and everything you need to know. I recommend a night at Little Yosemite Valley unless you want the physical challenge from valley floor to top and back.

Answer 3

As mentioned above, they usually come down right after Columbus Day weekend. According to the NPS website at http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm (scroll down to the "Trail Conditions" section at the bottom), though, they may stay up through October 15th this year.

Climbing Half Dome is a fantastic (and a little unnerving) experience. Hope you enjoy it.

More info about climbing Half Dome: http://www.yosemitehikes.com/yosemite-valley/half-dome/half-dome.htm