Now Open: Lottery To Climb Half Dome Cables

Yosemite, CA — Yosemite National Park has opened its Half Dome Cables lottery.

Climbers have until March 31 to sign up.  Interested hikers may apply for up to six people a day for seven different dates.  Park officials will notify those whose names are drawn in early April.  A maximum of 300 hikers will be allowed on the Half Dome cables per day.  Park spokesperson Ashley Mayer says the lottery was implemented for safety reasons and it is effective.  “It’s greatly reduced incidents on the trail from overcrowding.  It was a safety concern and this was the maximum number we feel can safely ascend the cables on any given day.”  Park officials say it does not matter when hikers apply over the month, as all applications will be put into the lottery at once.

People who do not get picked have a second chance to climb the cables.  Approximately 50 additional daily permits will be available each day by lottery during the hiking season. These permits will be offered, based on the average number of no-shows and cancellations from the pre-season lottery.  The daily permits must be applied for two days in advance of your desired hiking date.

Reservations for the permit lottery and subsequent two-day in advance permits may be made through www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.