About 1.5mi's below our camp site at the junction of Muir and Clouds Rest trails, we come to the spur trail leading to Half Dome.  JD is marking the occasion with a thumbs up.  We have 2mi's to the top (obviously) but they are two very hard miles.  From this point on, the direction is up, up and more up.

The first segment winds through pine forests until just before Half Dome's shoulder where vegetation becomes sparse.  Funny how things are harder to grow in solid granite.  Human population on the trial dramatically increases.  Many hearty day hikers make it from the Valley floor to Half Dome summit and back.  However, just as many fail.  It's 16mi's round trip with a 4,000ft vertical rise.  Only the fittest succeed.  Even the fittest fail if they don't bring enough food and water.  This particular walk-in-the-park isn't an easy one.

The major contribution to trail population comes from Little Yosemite Camp about 2mi's down the trail.  It's probably the largest backpack camp in the park... which accounts for it's popularity with certain furry bear-type creatures.   We, of course, have outwitted the bears by camping 3mi's away... NOT!!