If you love hiking and the outdoors, you probably know about the beloved Half Dome hike at Yosemite. Whether you’re a veteran of the trek or not, you might be wondering whether it’s safe for kids.
Kids can hike Half Dome at Yosemite. While it is permitted to hike Half Dome at Yosemite with your children, you should only bring kids over ten who are fit, healthy, and experienced hikers. And you must make sure to provide enough food and water to hike with your children safely.
The view from the top of this Yosemite icon is fantastic and well worth the effort, but the long hike can be grueling and challenging, especially for inexperienced climbers, the unfit, and children. Read on to learn more about hiking Half Dome with your kids.
The Long Hike to the Top of Half Dome
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The summit of Half Dome is a unique and popular attraction at the eastern end of Yosemite National Park. The landmark itself is over 8,000 feet (2,438 meters). Whatever way you look at it, the trek to the top of Half Dome is a challenging feat.
Even for seasoned hikers, the trek to the summit of Half Dome can be taxing. The round-trip hike is around 14 to 16 miles (22.5 to 26 kilometers) and can easily take an entire day or longer. It can take up to 12 hours to go up and back down— even without little legs!
With such a high elevation, you will be gaining more altitude as you progress further, especially when you reach the cables up to the top. The most famous stretch begins at the Home Dome Cables, which you must climb to ascend to the peak of the granite dome.
One thing to note is that climbing permits do not allow any:
- Camping
- Lodging
- Overnight accommodation
Because of this, you should only complete the hike if you’re absolutely sure you and your little companions can complete the trip in one day. According to the National Park Service, attempting this hike is not a good idea if you are unfit and out of shape. Some people discover they are too exhausted or ill-equipped to continue.
This YouTube video breaks the long hike into chunks and shows you what to expect:
How To Decide If Your Child Should Hike Half Dome
While the thought of bringing your kids with you to enjoy Half Dome can be exciting, there are some things you should consider first.
Here are some questions to ask yourself before making any decisions:
- Are your children fit and experienced enough to cope with hiking all day for over 10 hours?
- Will they be able to climb the cables to the top?
- Will you be able to provide them with enough supervision, food, and water so they can safely make it to the summit?
- Do they have the right gear?
- Do they have problems listening to directions?
- Do they have the right personality to handle the hike?
It’s crucial to ensure that your children are ready for such a trip before bringing them with you. However, many families have had success hiking to the summit with their children.
For instance, here is a YouTube video of a family who took their young children to the Half Dome summit:
I know someone who brought his 8-year-old son to hike Half Dome, and they both loved it.
Here’s a checklist of some factors that can make the Half Dome hike successful:
- Your child has a positive and obedient personality
- Practice hikes of 15 miles have been completed
- You and your child have at least one year of hiking/ backpacking experience
- You have read books and watched videos to prepare yourself and your little one
- You have had safety discussions with your child
- You have the proper gear
If you can check off each of those items, chances are that you and your child will have an excellent experience hiking Half Dome. However, it’s ultimately up to you to determine whether or not your kid will be a good fit for the trek.
Can You Get Injured Hiking Half Dome?
You can get injured hiking Half Dome. Injuries are common, and some hikers must be transported back to the base by the Yosemite Search and Rescue Team. While the chances are that people will be there to help you if you get injured, you should still practice caution.
This YouTube video covers some important information regarding Half Dome safety:
Here are some of the most common Half Dome injuries:
- Injured knees and ankles
- People slipping due to wearing inappropriate footwear
- Spots along the trail that get slippery and wet
- Dehydration sickness
- Over exhaustion
Before deciding whether or not to bring your kids along with you, keep these injuries in mind. I recommend conversing with your child about safety hazards before going on long hikes.
How To Prepare To Hike the Dome With Kids
So, you’ve decided you want to bring your children along for the adventure. What can you do to best prepare everyone for what to expect? Here are some recommendations for making the trip as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
- Get plenty of exercise beforehand. Try regularly going for long walks with your children. It’s best if they’re physically fit—and even better if they play sport.
- Go for shorter hikes with the family. Not only is it healthy for them, but your kids will feel better prepared for a much longer walk. It’s best if they’re already familiar with hiking, and Half Dome is not their first climb.
- Practice climbing. To reach the summit of Half Dome, you’ll have to conquer the famous (or infamous) cables! At this point, you’ll already be quite tired. If possible, let your kids try rock-climbing or similar activities to build up their strength and confidence.
- Make sure you’ve all got appropriate footwear. One of the most important things to do before tackling Half Dome is choosing the proper footwear. You must ensure comfortable hiking shoes with an adequate grip so they won’t slip on the granite or trails.
- Bring some trekking poles. They’re helpful for both adults and kids, and they help provide stability while ascending or descending. Also, hiking poles reduce the impact on your knees and other joints.
- Bring plenty of water and enough food. National Parks Traveler says the average hiker must drink one gallon (4.5 liters) of water on this hike. The Merced River in Little Yosemite Valley is the last spot on the ascent to refill your water bottles.
- Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sunhat. They’ll help keep you protected from the elements and cool and comfortable.
- Teach your kids basic first aid. You’ll be hiking for over 10 hours, so your kids must have basic first aid skills.
As you’ll need a lot of water for all of you, consider purchasing hydration packs. I recommend this TETON Sport Oasis 18 L Hydration Pack (available on Amazon.com) because it’s fully customizable for women, men, and children and won’t burden you on your journey.
It’s also vital to purchase appropriate shoes for your little ones. Try out these Merrell Unisex-Child Trail Chaser Hiking Sneakers (available on Amazon.com.) They’re a bestseller and have rubber soles with excellent grip to make your kids’ adventure much safer.
Conclusion
Most outdoorsy families want to go on hiking adventures together. Though Yosemite’s Half Dome can be challenging even for adult climbers, children can hike the same trek.
It’s crucial that you take proper steps for preparation. Use these tips to take appropriate steps to prepare, initiate essential family discussions, and ultimately decide whether your child is ready for such a trip.
Sources
- Feel Good and Travel: Taking on Yosemite’s Half Dome Hike with Two Kids
- MrHalfDome’s Blog: Kids on Half Dome
- National Park Service: Half Dome Day Hike
- National Park Service: Half Dome Permits for Day Hikers
- Run Wild My Child: Teaching Basic First Aid to Kids
- Sugar Bee Crafts: Hike Half Dome with Kids – Family Adventure Awaits