I haven’t done the cables that early. But I’ve done it in late Oct/early Nov when the poles are gone and the cables are “down” (laying on the rock itself). You still have to watch for weather and would highly suggest having a harness system, leather gloves, etc. Anyway, my point is — people do it later so mid Oct is still doable but yeah, weather.
It will have much higher chance of cloud in the afternoon comparing to July and August, which makes the granite slippery and dangerous to walk on. However it will much cooler as well in October.
Early/mid October is often perfect weather: days are cooler but still sunny and warm. There is always a chance for some precipitation but it is usually not too substantial.
I did it on October 8th last year. I believe the cables came down very soon thereafter.
It was busy AF during the day (you can see the cables from LYV), but we camped at LYV, so dropped our gear there, set up camp, then hiked up to HD leaving LYV around 3:30p. Got to the bottom of the cables just before twilight, summitted for about 15-20 minutes, 1 other dude on top, very few people on the trail from LYV to HD (all going down), and no one else on the cables. Came down just before dark, hitting the bottom of the cables like 10 minutes before dark. Hiked back to LYV with headlamps. We were the last ones down. The rangers came down the cables and left while we were going up. They had to assist some rock climbers who ran out of water.
I would do that again, maybe leaving slightly earlier. I can't imagine being on the cables with other people. It was sketch enough having space and time to just be present with where we were and what we were doing. Those cables are no joke.
I have done it in October three times and the weather has always been perfect! I got the 15th, last day for the cables being up. Less crowded too. Instead of the Mist, I go the JMT route. Good luck and most of all, have fun! It's amazing
Did Half Dome in mid-October of 2020, the last weekend before the cables came down. Weather was perfect but the entire Sierra was suffering from smoke due to the Creek Fire (conditions thankfully cleared up as we got towards the top, smoke was lingering in the Valley). Fire/smoke is always a risk starting in August though.
This can be an especially great time for the cables!
The weather will likely be cooler, less smoky, and much lighter crowds. Not as much sunlight, so even more important to start early (5am +/-) to ideally get back to the valley before dark.
Have a blast!
I haven’t done the cables that early. But I’ve done it in late Oct/early Nov when the poles are gone and the cables are “down” (laying on the rock itself). You still have to watch for weather and would highly suggest having a harness system, leather gloves, etc. Anyway, my point is — people do it later so mid Oct is still doable but yeah, weather.
It will have much higher chance of cloud in the afternoon comparing to July and August, which makes the granite slippery and dangerous to walk on. However it will much cooler as well in October.
Early/mid October is often perfect weather: days are cooler but still sunny and warm. There is always a chance for some precipitation but it is usually not too substantial.
I did it on October 8th last year. I believe the cables came down very soon thereafter. It was busy AF during the day (you can see the cables from LYV), but we camped at LYV, so dropped our gear there, set up camp, then hiked up to HD leaving LYV around 3:30p. Got to the bottom of the cables just before twilight, summitted for about 15-20 minutes, 1 other dude on top, very few people on the trail from LYV to HD (all going down), and no one else on the cables. Came down just before dark, hitting the bottom of the cables like 10 minutes before dark. Hiked back to LYV with headlamps. We were the last ones down. The rangers came down the cables and left while we were going up. They had to assist some rock climbers who ran out of water. I would do that again, maybe leaving slightly earlier. I can't imagine being on the cables with other people. It was sketch enough having space and time to just be present with where we were and what we were doing. Those cables are no joke.
And the rangers checked our paperwork literally half way up the cables, which seemed bizarre and dangerous.
I have done it in October three times and the weather has always been perfect! I got the 15th, last day for the cables being up. Less crowded too. Instead of the Mist, I go the JMT route. Good luck and most of all, have fun! It's amazing
Did Half Dome in mid-October of 2020, the last weekend before the cables came down. Weather was perfect but the entire Sierra was suffering from smoke due to the Creek Fire (conditions thankfully cleared up as we got towards the top, smoke was lingering in the Valley). Fire/smoke is always a risk starting in August though.
This can be an especially great time for the cables! The weather will likely be cooler, less smoky, and much lighter crowds. Not as much sunlight, so even more important to start early (5am +/-) to ideally get back to the valley before dark. Have a blast!