I've actually hiked over the small dome next to Half Dome and I am standing at the very base looking nearly straight up at a couple climbers descending the downed cables. Normally the cables are supported by rods at about waist level. When the cables are up, they also mount bars across the trail to assist your footing.
Okay, so the blue sky is gone and there are a few very dark clouds approaching, and occasionally some snow drifts by but... what did that sign say again?
No we didn't continue to the top. The weather was not getting any better, but it didn't stop me from hiking up a few feet for these photos before we left. The peak is 8842 feet high. We probably stopped at about 8600ft.
A view of the cables and the second warning sign. Oops, did I forget about the first warning sign about three hundred feet below?
A view of the great dome as I left.