Half Dome Lottery Update
Yosemite, CA — Climbers are towing the line and Yosemite National Park says the Half Dome Cable lottery reservations are running smoothly. The lottery reservation runs through Sunday, March 31, 2013.
Park Ranger Scott Gediman says, “It’s going real well. There’s a lot of interest. A lot of the dates filled up. Saturdays and Fridays are really popular. There is certainly a lot of response, but there are still some passes available and we will have the two day before lottery.”
You can apply for up to six people a day for seven different dates. If you get picked Park officials will let you know in early April. A maximum of 300 hikers will be allowed on the Half Dome cables per day. Reservations for the permit lottery can be made online at http://www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
Park officials say it doesn’t matter when you apply over the month. All applications will be put into the lottery. Also if you don’t get picked you still have another chance to climb the cables. Approximately 50 additional daily permits will be available each day by lottery during the hiking season. These permits are made available based on the average number of no-shows and cancellations from the pre-season lottery. The permits must be applied for two days in advance of your desired hiking date. Reservations for the two-day in advance permits can also be made through www.recreation.gov.
