Yosemite To Keep Half Dome Cables, Continue Permit Limits

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK (CBS/AP) - Climbing Yosemite's Half Dome is one of the national park system's most iconic hikes in the nationwide system, but on Friday officials announced approval of a plan that permanently limits how many can do it.

National Park Service authorities will issue permits to limit the number of hikers to 300 a day, the target number since an interim plan was approved in 2010 to reduce congestion in a wilderness area and make the hike safer.

The park also decided to keep in place the metal cables that hikers can use on the 45-degree final ascent up the slick granite.

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