Hikes equivalent to Yoesmite's Halfdome

[earlwallace4th]

Hello all my dad and I are planning a hiking trip next year. Two years ago we stayed in Yoesimite and hiked Halfdome. We loved the challenge and are looking for a similar experience somewhere else.

Any Suggestions?

[wildbill]

I would investigate Kings Canyon and the Grand Canyon. I hear that both hold magnificent hiking opportunities given the right time of year.

[salmonlov]

Have you ever hike to El Capitan??? I was tired of Halfdome (I did many time when I was in college.) I was grow tired of regular trails and the cables. Special I couldn't stand the Horse'S**t' all over the begining climb. However, I didn't feel like Backpacking to those wildness trails. So I decided took a hike from Old Road to El Capitan and Upper Yosemite fall. Mod to strenuous according distance and elevation. More Rolling hills around this area and rocky on upper Yosemite fall. Fist, I drive to East on Big Oak Flat road (actually I have someone later drive me back to pick up my car). Park and hike on Ribbon Meadow trail to Elcapitan. (distance 10 miles) and continue to Upper Yesemite Water fall (distance 7.3 miles) down to camp 4 (that is where I easily got a campsite the night before). I done it last year and was a great hike with elevation from 4000 to 7600 and very senic hike special next to Powerful Upper Yesemite water fall...fantanstic breath taken view....total 17.3 miles take me one day hike....Weather change varies with elevations. Some area might be snow (as I went in early June last year) There is a creek we have to manage cross over, water around calf deep but short. El Capitan a big flat rocky area with great fantastic view of entire Yosemite (No wonder all the rock climbers love this peak, no matter take them 4 days to get up and sleep on the ropes just to get there). Once you on there, you'd agree with me! You will love this hike as I did. 100% better than half Dome no cable to climb, plus you hardly see people only aminals and birds....
This hike would be hard by youself...some part of trails are hard to figure them out unless you with some other hikers...partially wildness. You might enjoy after you done.....

[salmonlov]

I enjoy a great deal of day hike....less stuffs to pack and carry, plus when you back your campsite you could always drive your car and wash up. Only few times I don't mind do some over-night hike. But my idea always "light". Best time to do over-night hike are spring time and when the summer is going to be over. I could easily hike 20 miles per day. Definitely not with those heavy backpacks....Over King's canyon I hiked from Sequoia to King's on Twin lakes trail (total 17 miles) If too hard for a one day hike, you could always camp on Jo Pass (9410) at half way point. Pretty nice hike and great for warm summer days...when the giant sequoia trees stop all the direct sunlight.
Between Grand Canyon or Sedona. I'd always choose Sedona anytime. Sedona has most of wonderful rocks formations...no matter hike or boudling..you get most great joy. Grand Canyon sometimes the view remain the same for hours...the road just gets boring for me. Sedona always gives me the excitments. Well, you to figure out...all these just matter of opinions...

[TomLambert]

You don't say where you want to go, but let's assume that you're up for another Yosemite hike. You also don't say what you mena by equivalent (effort? scenery? style?). Anyway, the first suggest assumes the former, the second the later. Both are in Yosemite.

A great option that will have far fewer people than Half Dome would be to hike to Waterwheel Falls. The distance is similar to HD, but there is less vertical.

First you need to get to Glen Aulin. There are a few options here, the easiest of which is to park near the Tuolumne stables (Lembert Dome parking) in Tuolumne Meadows. You can also hike in via May Lake which is beautiful, but more effort.

Have lunch at Glen Aulin if you don't mind other people, further down at California Falls if you do.

From Glen Aulin you descend toward the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne until you get to Waterwheel Falls, famous for it's huge wheel-like cascades. You can also hike another mile and see even more. All told the round trip is about 17 miles, following the tuolumne river almost all the way. Quite gorgeous.

I haven't gotten my act together to put a writeup or full gallery on my site, but when I was testing my gallery I did post one measly photo of Waterwheel Falls that gives you a vague idea. That's kind of a crappy photo and the falls are much nicer "live"

Alternatively, if you don't mind a bit of scrambling, you can park at the May Lake trailhead and hike Mount Hoffman. Not the highest peak in the park, but it was John Muir's favorite because it sits sort of alone and gives a massive panoramic view similar to Half Dome or Cloud's Rest.

We got very little snow this year, so the Tuolumne season will be early and I suspect that Waterwheel Falls won't be much to see come late July, but who knows.

[sierranomad]

Earl: I second Tom's suggestion re: Waterwheel Falls. It's a spectacular hike, and not nearly as crowded as the hike to Half Dome.

A different hike altogether is in the Grand Canyon. The hike to Plateau Point is comparable in difficulty. It's a little over 12 miles round trip. It's on the Bright Angel Trail, and about as crowded as the hike to Half Dome. The trail itself is a gem (not just the destination), but when you do get to Plateau Point, it knocks your socks off. You look up thousands of feet to the rim; and down thousands of feet to the bottom of the canyon and the Colorado River. It seems surreal to me.

[scottcundy]

I like Long's Peak in the front range of Colorado. It wasn't long ago it even had cables at the top like Half Dome. The Grand Canyon also has some pretty incredible challengs - the most strenuous hike into the canyon I think is the New Hance Trail that descends Red Canyon.

Cheers,
Scot