Ahh. If you’re not in that great of shape, it’s alright, you can do it, but it’s going to be difficult. You see, I was with a group when I went, and the instructor made us go all the way, with only one break. I think it was easier for me and my legs that way, because it made the hike up seem faster.

As for the the cable part, I didn’t do it. My instructor said we had to go the other way around, to Glacier Point. So I could say for the hike down, if you do it, just trust your shoes and make sure you have a steady grip on the ground or a friend. :)

I agree – you don’t have to be in tip-top shape to make it to the top, but with 16 miles roundtrip, it will certainly take some determination. The incredible views are well worth it though! The cables can be intimidating if you’re afraid of heights, but they were more secure than I expected. No worries. The top is amazing! A few tips for a successful trip:
1) go with a group (safer and more motivation)
2) leave early in the morning, like 5 am (you want plenty of daylight for your hike down, but bring a flashlight just in case).
3) bring and drink plenty of water (last time I drank over 2 liters, there’s one place to fill up a couple miles in)
Have fun!

Strenuous, yes. But doable. There are plenty of great places to stop if you need to. The cables are a little scary but solid. It amazes me the number of people who do it from all walks of life, they all must have some degree of scared, but everyone manages to get to the top!