Half Dome

Yosemite's iconic granite monolith with one sheer face/Mountains

Half Dome is a granite dome at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park, California. Its distinctive shape, with a sheer northwest face rising nearly vertically about 600 meters, was created by glacial erosion that carved away the 'missing' half. The summit stands at 2,693 meters above sea level and roughly 1,444 meters above the valley floor. The first recorded ascent was by George Anderson in 1875. Today, hikers can reach the summit via a cable route installed on the back side, though permits are required and only about 300 people per day are allowed. The granite is approximately 87 million years old.