Officials with Yosemite National Park report that the cables on Half Dome are up and ready to go for the season on Wednesday, June 16.

Every spring the Park Service puts the cables back up on thier posts for hikers to ascend to the top of the iconic peak. Every fall the cables are laid back down to rest for the winter.

The cables on Half Dome are one of the attractions for both local residents and the visitors that travel between the Eastern Sierra, Mono Lake, and Yosemite National Park.

This season the National Park Service is trying out a new permit system that requires visitors to get a permit if they want to climb the last stretch of the Half Dome hike using the cables on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. The idea is to limit crowds that tend to back up on the cables as people work to reach the summit.

This system may become permanent and there is a public comment period currently open to those that want to add their two cents, or make suggestions regarding this plan.

If you are interested in learning more about the plan or commenting, contact the park through the Yosemite National Park website or send comments to the park superintendent attention Half Dome Trail Stewardship Plan EA P.O. Box 577 Yosemite, CA 95389.

You dont need a permit to day hike anywhere else in the Half Dome area, just the cables to the top, but park staff says the majority of the permits for the season have already been reserved. For more information park staff suggests the website recreation.gov. You can also plan your hike or tell visitors to plan their hikes on Monday through Thursday when permits are not required.

 

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