Hi Robert,
A percentage of overnight permits can be reserved up to six months in advance. Since Half Dome is such a popular hike, it's not surprising that there are none available at this point.
However, the remaining permits are first-come first-serve, and are available one day before the start of your hike. At this point your best bet is to arrive at the permit office as early as you can and try to get these permits for your trip. You may have to wait a day for enough availability for 7 people.
You have at least two options for your hike. First is the standard hike from Yosemite Valley up to the Little Yosemite Valley campsite. From there, you can dayhike up to the top of Half Dome, and pick up your gear on your way back down to the valley. The total distance is approximately 16 miles, with approximately 5,000 feet of elevation gain. For permitting purposes, your trailhead for this hike is "Happy Isles - Little Yosemite Valley".
Your second option is to hike from Tenaya Lake (off Hwy. 120, Tioga Road), over Clouds Rest and Half Dome, down to Yosemite Valley. You can camp overnight at Sunrise Creek. This hike requires a car shuttle, or use of the backpackers shuttle bus. The trip up and over Clouds Rest provides superior views of Half Dome and the Valley; in my opinion this hike is more strenuous and also more scenic anc exhilarating, than the other option. The total distance is approximately 21 miles, also with significant elevation change. For permitting purposes, your trailhead for this hike is "Sunrise".
Hope this helps.
-BadPepsi
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Last edited by BadPepsi on Fri Feb 25, 2011 2:43 am, edited 1 time in total.