Has Half Dome Lost Its Wild Side?

The latest edition of The Wildebeat asks if Yosemite's Half Dome has become too popular to be considered wilderness. Steve Sergeant interviews hikers and experts to get their opinion on the subject and gets some interesting responses.

To me, there is nothing wild about the hike to Half Dome. It's strenuous and challenging, certainly, but there's never a feeling like it's just you and the mountain. If you run into trouble, just wait a few seconds and a group of hikers will be there to help you.

The trail is the park's version of a highway. The sheer number of people traveling between Happy Isles and Nevada Fall can make the hike unenjoyable and unattractive. At Vernal Fall, it feels less like a national park and more like a theme park.

Avoiding the Mist Trail and taking the John Muir Trail eliminates some of the crowd, but then there is the traffic jam at the cables. With people brushing by you and stepping on your heels, while you try not to bump into the hiker in front of you, it's like being in the security checkpoint line at the world's steepest airport.

This isn't to say that the view from the top isn't spectacular or that there aren't times when the trail is less busy, but if it's achievement, adventure, and views you're after, Half Dome isn't your only option. There are plenty of mountains in Yosemite that can provide that, too, like El Capitan, Clouds Rest, or North Dome. They may not give you the same bragging rights as the park's most popular peak, but they offer a better wilderness experience and something Half Dome can't offer -- a beautiful view of itself.