My post at Yosemite yesterday reminded me that I never shared my post of pitching my XDome on Mt. Rainier, July 2025. Bottom right. Held up to some winds, the cold and a helicopter!
Well, just made it home from an unforgettable weekend in Yosemite. I try to make my way to the park fairly often but it’s been about a year since my last visit.
I had planned to backpack up to LYV and do some exploring along with a cables down Half Dome as I’ve done cables up a couple times now. I found out on the way out that the cables had gone up. Thankfully was able to add on a permit to my Wilderness permit.
Had a nice relaxing hike up from the Valley floor on the Mist Trail which was quite busy. Lots of Search and Rescue out their training and preparing for the busy season. Thanks in advance for all y’all do! JMT in that section is still out up to Nevada.
Most people stopped at the top of Vernal but a lot still continued to the top of Nevada. Lots of people jumping the fences up there getting pictures on the edge… Made it to LYV mid afternoon and enjoyed the river and the people in camp.
Left LYV early Sunday and made it up Half Dome for sunrise. New moon so all the stars were out and saw several satellites and meteors! Enjoyed the views and made my way back down once the Valley started to light up. Made it back into LYV where many people along the way didn’t know about the need for permits yet so please check before you head out! Also a lot of people thinking there was a faucet at LYV for water but this is *not* the case. Just the river.
Quickly made my way back to the Valley floor but not before being stopped on the Mist Trail due to crowds trying to pass each other going up the stairs.
Definitely lots of water available on the trail from floor to LYV if you have a filter. Bathrooms were in decent shape and the cables are set. A bear was spotted near Nevada falls but was not seen in camp while I was there.
TLDR: Great trip. Cables up. Need permit. Great time.