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Yosemite National Park Half Dome Trail: Your Input Requested

By 6 Comments

It’s no secret that the Half Dome Trail has problems with overcrowding. A permit system for Half Dome is already in place.

Now Yosemite National Park wants to hear what you think about proposed changes to protect the Half Dome Trail and the people who hike it (press release):

Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher announces that Yosemite National Park is preparing an environmental assessment to plan for the long-term stewardship of the Half Dome Trail. The purpose of this plan is to provide stewardship of wilderness character and also improve visitor safety. Your experience, knowledge, and diverse perspectives are essential to our success.

Public meetings will be held on the following dates at the following locations:

* June 5, 2010 4-8 pm Fresno REI, 7801 North Blackstone Ave. Fresno, CA

* June 16, 2010 4-8 pm Berkeley REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Berkeley, CA

The plan addresses the current conditions on Half Dome and the trail leading to the cables. Impacts that have been noted include:

* Vegetation damage and soil loss on and near the trail corridor, including many sections that are very wide and deeply eroded.

* Habituation of wildlife along the trail corridor, and particularly at the summit and Subdome, from improper food storage and feeding.

* Threats to a population of the Mt. Lyell Salamander, a California Species of Special Concern.

* Severe crowding on the Subdome, summit and cables, including long lines to use the cables.

* High volume of visitors utilizing the trail and cables.

Public participation is integral for the success of this plan. The public comment period for the Interim Program for the Half Dome Day Use Permits runs from May 26 to June 25, 2010. To submit comments on this topic, contact the park by any of the following means:

Mail: Superintendent
Attn: Half Dome Trail Stewardship Plan EA
P.O. Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389
Fax: 209-379-1094

Visit the park website and link to PEPC website: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/yose

Want to climb Half Dome? You gotta visit Rick Deutsch’s site on Half Dome.

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Comments

  1. Rick Deutsch says

    John,

    Great blog! Thanks for the plug on my Half Dome passion. Apathy will lead to another government imposed process.

    My gut fear is that while everyone lives Half Dome and the hike up the cables, most will sit back and assume others will make a sensible decision. The park is currently only holding 2 public meetings. The turnout during the Merced River Plan scoping was abysmal. I need everyone to get involved or there will be no more half Dome hike!! They have the power. Rather than just bitch about it, write a comment. Don’t just yell at the wall, take the time and compose a logical comment. I will be at the Berkeley session – will you???

    To be best responsive, the NPS has hinted that comments that address the following will get their attention The most useful types of scoping comments consider the following:
    1. Give them alternative approaches and ideas
    2. Give them a range of environmental and socioeconomic issues that need to be considered
    3. Consider other projects that might be affected
    4. Suggest other research that should be done and why
    5. Tell them how you use the park and how the Half Dome project might affect that use

    Also answer these specific questions in your response:
    1. What are your expectations of a Wilderness experience?
    2. What are your expectations of a Half Dome experience?
    2. How can NPS stewardship of the Half Dome Trail be better aligned with the Wilderness Act?

    Call to Action: Read The Wilderness Act of 1964 That’s the source document. Its 9 pages and you can google for it. Maybe it’s time to say that the Half Dome trail should be removed from being under the umbrella of the Act. e.g. – Does it still “generally appear to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man’s work substantially unnoticeable?”

    Reply

    • John Soares says

      Rick, thanks for providing this valuable advice on how hikers can keep the hike up Half Dome open.

      And I encourage readers to check out Rick’s websites on Half Dome.

      Reply

  2. Ken says

    Thanks for the useful information about the Yosemite and the Half Dome hike. I have been considering doing this hike for some time now.
    Ken

    Reply

    • John Soares says

      Hello Ken. Thanks for writing.

      See Rick’s comment below on when the cables will be in place.

      And I like your new blog! Keep up the good work.

      Reply

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