How hard is the Half Dome cables ascent?

The cables section is steep and exposed; guides decide on safety based on conditions — be prepared mentally and physically for a strenuous, hands-on scramble.

Are permits included?

Yes. Discovery Treks includes necessary permits and fees in the trip price, and route variations depend on permit availability.

What gear does the trip include?

Pro-quality backpacking gear is included: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, trekking poles, 65–75L pack, and a bear canister; meals are provided from breakfast day one through the final morning.

What is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Yosemite National Park per the trip listing.

Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?

Yes. The guides can accommodate most dietary restrictions if you note them on your registration form.

How fit do I need to be?

Participants should have recent multi-day hiking experience or intensive training; expect sustained mileage, significant elevation gain, and variable trail conditions.

Half Dome 5-Day Guided Backpacking in Yosemite National Park | Hiking | Guided Tour

Adventure Brief

Spend five days in Yosemite National Park on a guided, inclusive backpacking trip that culminates with the Half Dome cable ascent. Discovery Treks provides gear, meals, permits, and a Wilderness First Responder–certified guide so you can focus on the trail and the views.

5 days

challenging

From $1,457.50

Yosemite National Park, California — this five-day route begins at Mono Meadow Trailhead and winds into the High Sierra toward the iconic Half Dome. Discovery Treks runs the guided Half Dome 5 Day trip, a fully supported backpacking itinerary that threads waterfalls, granite walls, and alpine meadows into a concentrated wilderness push. Over five days hikers move from valley floor to exposed crest, camping under clear night skies and waking to rushing stream water and fir-scented air.

The trip’s spine is the approach through Little Yosemite Valley and the final push up Half Dome’s cables. The geology is immediate: massive granitic domes carved by ice, talus fields, and polished cliff faces that throw back sunlight in the afternoons. Expect familiar Sierra elements — red fir, lodgepole pines, and the scatter of manzanita — and the likelihood of seeing mule deer and Clark’s nutcracker along quieter sections. Route variations depend on permit availability, so each departure carries a slightly different sequence of camps and trail miles, but every itinerary aims to balance challenge with time to absorb the view.

Discovery Treks supplies pro-quality backpacking gear, meals from breakfast on day one through the final morning, and a Wilderness First Responder–certified guide who manages logistics, bear canisters, and food prep. Included gear lists tent, sleeping bag, pad, trekking poles, and a 65–75L pack; a single-tent upgrade is available. That all-inclusive model means you arrive focused on feet-forward hiking and conserving energy for the Half Dome ascent, which is steep and, at times, exposed; your guide reads conditions and weather to determine whether the cables ascent is safe.

Why this stands out: the combination of classic Yosemite landmarks with an escorted, small-group experience. Rather than a rushed day visit, five days let you reach quieter camps, watch alpenglow across carved granite, and learn route skills from guides who know the park’s rhythms. For photographers the sequence of waterfalls, domes, and night skies yields a dramatic portfolio; for climbers the cables section is a bucket-list technical finishing move.

Practical notes: the meeting point is Yosemite National Park; Discovery Treks lists Scottsdale, Arizona as its operational city. Permits and fees are included in the price during booking. Physical demand is high — be prepared for sustained mileage, elevation gain, and variable weather. When the goal is Half Dome from high country approaches, this guided five-day march is the rigorous, safe, and deeply rewarding way to reach one of America’s most singular granite summits.

Ideal for experienced hikers who want guided support and for fit newcomers aiming to push their limits, the trip balances safety drills with interpretive time. Book early—permit-dependent routing fills quickly—and use the included referral when reserving to secure your spot this season's departures.

About Discovery Treks

Discovery Treks specializes in guided hiking and backpacking trips across iconic U.S. national parks and coastal routes. The company coordinates experiences that range from day hikes to multi-day backpacking tours, including focused itineraries for the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Olympic Coast, Joshua Tree, Death Valley, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Grand Teton.

Discovery Treks offers specific pre-permit lottery reservation services for Grand Canyon backpacking and Rim to Rim departures, allowing hikers to apply through the permit lottery process and adjust group details before application deadlines. Several listed departures include explicit pre-permit reservation language, and some trips note flexible booking without an upfront deposit during the pre-permit phase.

Signature itineraries include Classic Hike to the River, a 3- or 4-day Grand Canyon hike with camping at Phantom Ranch, Rim to Rim options in both camping and priority/tour formats, Half Dome hikes and express options, and multi-park inn-based tours such as Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef. Day hikes, overnight treks, and extended tours are represented across the calendar.

All trip descriptions and reservations appear under the Discovery Treks listing on The Adventure Collective. Booking details, permit application options, trip duration, and specific route information are provided per individual trip listing. Prospective hikers should review each itinerary description for exact logistics, permits, and current availability. Safety information, packing lists, fitness requirements, and seasonal guidance are included with each trip listing so participants can prepare appropriately and confirm specifics such as meeting locations, gear recommendations, and required permits before booking.

Half Dome 5-Day Guided Backpacking in Yosemite National Park

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