Yosemite National Park: Half Dome cables to go up Wednesday, but permits are scarce

The cables that allow hikers to ascend Half Dome at California’s Yosemite National Park are set to be installed Wednesday, but permits appear to be sold out through the end of September. October permits will go on sale July 1.

The cables might be ready late afternoon Wednesday depending on weather conditions, according to the park’s website. That’s good news for permit holders. But those hoping to land a permit to hike up the iconic rock face this summer may be out of luck.

The park issues 400 permits daily. When I checked with Recreation.gov [(877) 444-6777], which takes reservations for the $1.50 permits, it appeared the permits had been sold out through Sept. 30. Check online or by phone for cancellations.

Permits for the month of October, the last available month that the cables are scheduled to remain open, go on sale at 7 a.m. PDT July 1. If you want one, set your alarm clock; June permits sold out in less than half an hour when the reservation window opened March 1.

The cables usually go up Memorial Day weekend, but huge snowpacks have pushed the date back this year. This season’s lingering snow postponed the opening of the High Sierra Camps, as well as services and campgrounds along Tioga Road, which opened Saturday.