Yosemite National Park will require Day Use Permits seven days per week to climb Half Dome during the summer 2011 season. Day Use Permits were required Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays during the 2010 summer season. However, due to high volumes of people on the cables during the non permitted days, the park is instituting the seven day requirement. This is part of a two year interim program designed to address crowding on the cables that has been occurring over the past few years.

Permits for July will become available April 1; August permits on May 1; September permits on June 1; and October permits on July 1. Reservations can start being made ay 7 a.m. on the designated days.

Hiking to the top of Half Dome is one of the most popular hikes in Yosemite National Park. The iconic granite monolith, at 8,842 feet above sea level, attracts people from all over the world who attempt to climb to the summit. Most visitors ascend Half Dome via the cables, which are in place from mid-May through mid-October. Most visitors begin and end their hike at Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley. This is an approximately 17 mile round-trip journey.

To get your permit, visit recreation.gov (recommended) or call (877) 444-6777 starting March 1. Permits are not available by mail.

For more details on permit dates and policies, click here.

Image: Hikers wait in line to use cable system at Half Dome. Source: nps.gov.