Yosemite Valley Trip Overview
Our 4-day Half Dome guided backpacking tours are specially designed to make your journey to the summit as spectacular as possible! This guided tour kicks off in Yosemite Valley. From there we’ll hit the trail and guests will hike and camp alongside fabled waters like Sunrise Lakes or the Merced River. Our expert guides make your experience 5-star with delicious camp-cooked cuisine and comfort provisions around camp, while on-trail pointing out the lesser-known factual gems that surround you. The magic climaxes either on the final evening or the final morning, when you’ll climb the cables up Half Dome’s summit for a truly spectacular sunrise or sunset.
Permitting: Because we are attempting to gain very popular permits we list two different possible itineraries below. We highly recommended to refrain from making travel arrangements until we have passed the permit date 23 weeks in advance. If we are unsuccessful in obtaining dates, we will notify affected bookings and provide options.
Additional Info
Duration: 4 days
Starts: Yosemite Valley, United States
Trip Category: Outdoor Activities >> 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours
Explore Yosemite Valley Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Yosemite Valley, California, United States
Our 4-day Half Dome guided backpacking tours are specially designed to make your journey to the summit as spectacular as possible! This guided tour kicks off in Yosemite Valley. From there we’ll hit the trail and guests will hike and camp alongside fabled waters like Sunrise Lakes or the Merced River. Our expert guides make your experience 5-star with delicious camp-cooked cuisine and comfort provisions around camp, while on-trail pointing out the lesser-known factual gems that surround you. The magic climaxes either on the final evening or the final morning, when you’ll climb the cables up Half Dome’s summit for a truly spectacular sunrise or sunset.
Permitting: Because we are attempting to gain very popular permits we list two different possible itineraries below. We highly recommended to refrain from making travel arrangements until we have passed the permit date 23 weeks in advance. If we are unsuccessful in obtaining dates, we will notify affected bookings and provide options.
Itinerary
Day 1: Meeting Day
Stop At: Yosemite Valley, 9035 Village Dr, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389-9912
Meet your guide in Half Dome Village at 3:00 PM. Get acquainted with the group and with gear. If time allows before dinner, visit some of the Valley’s walkable destinations. Grab dinner at one of park’s numerous restaurants. (Food is not provided while in the front-country.) End the day by camping in the Yosemite Valley Backpacker’s Camp.
Duration: 9 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at the Yosemite Valley Backpackers Campground
Day 2: Happy Isles -OR- Sunrise Lakes
Stop At: Yosemite National Park, Yosemite National Park, California
Set out via the Happy Isles trailhead for a 4-mile hike up the Mist Trail. Soak in the rainbows and scenery as you hike past the pluming basin of Vernal Fall, where you’ll experience the trail’s namesake up close and personal (note: you will get wet!) Continue hiking to the top of Nevada Fall, with a breathtaking view of Yosemite Valley, before hiking the remaining mile to your campsite at Little Yosemite Valley. Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 4.5 mi / -300′, +2,440′
-OR-
Catch your first glimpse of the high country while refreshing yourself in the stunning waters of Tenaya Lake (8,150′). After a 4.2-mile hike up the Sunrise Trail with portions of strenuous uphill, you’ll be rewarded with jaw-dropping views of Half Dome and Tenaya Canyon, and one of our favorite campsites in Yosemite on the shore of Sunrise Lake (9,166′)! Enjoy the sunset while playing and fishing in one of our guides’ favorite high country destinations. Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 4.2 mi / +1,616′, -,500′
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Little Yosemite Valley -OR- Sunrise Lakes
Day 3: Little Yosemite Valley -OR- Sunrise Creek
Stop At: Yosemite National Park, Yosemite National Park, California
Wake at a leisurely hour and enjoy a restful day of relaxing and exploring the Merced River Canyon. You pick the itinerary this morning. Sunbathing, hiking, fishing, and birding are all fair game, or set out for a mini-adventure before communing at camp for lunch and preparing for your Half Dome ascent! Today’s Mileage/Elevation (not including Half Dome): Varies
-OR-
After a hearty breakfast hike approximately 3.5 miles to the summit of Clouds Rest at 9,926′. Enjoy lunch at the top while soaking in panoramic views of Yosemite’s wilderness. From the summit, hike down 5 miles to Sunrise Creek for the final night of camping. Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 7.3 mi / +800′, -2,800′
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Little Yosemite Valley -OR- Sunrise Creek
Day 4: Half Dome
Stop At: Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, CA
Half Dome
Half Dome will be completed either in the afternoon on Day 3 to catch the sunset, or the following morning with an alpine start to catch the sunrise. This is a strenuous uphill of 3.5 miles to the summit at 8,836′. Roundtrip mileage: 7.0
Day 4
We will descend to the Yosemite Valley Floor (4,000′) via the Mist Trail which parallels the Merced River and both Nevada and Vernal Falls. Total mileage: 4.5
Typically, our goal is to finish between 2-4 PM.
Duration: 14 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
