Price: $500    Gear Add On: $95   Food Add On: $70

Participants: 6

Refund Policy: $50 non-refundable service fee.  Remaining balance refundable up to 30 days before trip.  No refunds will be given for cancellations within 30 days of the trip.  Full refunds will be issued for any trip cancellations made by Step Into Your Journey.

This multi day adventure will take us through some of the best Yosemite has to offer.  We will begin with a steep climb up the Four Mile Trail to Glacier Point.  Along the way we will have glimpses of Upper Yosemite Falls, Yosemite Valley and Half Dome.  Glacier Point will provide us an opportunity to have a lunch/snack rest while enjoying incredible views of Half Dome and Yosemite Valley.  If we are lucky, the store will be open and ice cream can be enjoyed.  We will continue along the Panorama trail to our campsite for the night along the river.  After a night under the stars, we will continue to Little Yosemite Valley where we will set up camp for two nights.  Day 3 will bring us an opportunity to lighten our packs and head to Clouds Rest (up the back side) where we will experience some of the best views in the park.

This three night backpacking adventure is open to intermediate/advanced hikers.  While backpacking experience is not required, participants should have experience hiking with significant elevation gain for some distance.  If you are in doubt as to whether this is appropriate for you, please feel free to reach out to me so we can have a conversation.

Participants will have the option to stay the night prior to this adventure (6/25/24), at their own expense, in the backpacker’s campground or to arrive 6/26/24 the day the trip begins.

Day 1:  This will be the hardest day.  We will travel 9 miles with an elevation gain of 3700 feet.  Most of this gain happens in the first 5 miles on the Four Mile Trail.  We will have a significant rest at Glacier Point before making our way down the Panorama trail to camp.

Day 2: With only 5.5 miles to travel today, we will enjoy a leisurely breakfast before continuing on the trail.  We will make our way past Nevada Falls to Little Yosemite Valley where we will set up our camp for the next two nights.  This location has pit toilets, bear boxes, and easy access to the river.

Day 3:  We will lighten our packs and take a day trek to Clouds Rest.  This is an 11 mile day hike with an elevation gain of 3800 feet.  Getting an early start, we will have all day.  Participants who are not interested in this day hike may choose to explore around camp on their own.  From Clouds Rest, we will enjoy amazing views of Half Dome and its subdome.  We will Alsop enjoy the views of Tenaya Canyon, Yosemite Valley, North Dome and Sentinel Dome.

Day 4:  We will enjoy our last breakfast, pack up and head back down to the Valley enjoying views of Vernal and Nevada falls along the way

Skill Level:  While no backpacking experience is required, participants must have hiking experience which includes long miles and elevation gain.  This trip does require that you be able to do both carrying a 25-35 lb pack on uneven ground.

Each participant will carry their own pack with their personal belongings and gear if providing their own.  Provided equipment, and group food/cooking equipment will be split among those who purchased the add on packages to distribute the weight.  Bear canisters are required in Yosemite, and this is an active bear area so we will be diligent about packing and storage.

What is included in the base price:

• Experienced guide with a 1:6 guide/participant ratio.
  • Wilderness First Aid Certified
  • GPS Emergency device
  • Group first aid kit
• Group informational zoom meeting prior to the trip
• All necessary wilderness permits
• Water filtration

What is included in Gear Add On:  

• Backpack
• Sleeping Bag (0 degree)
• Sleeping Pad
• 3 person tent (double occupancy)
• Head lamp
• Hiking Poles
• Bear Canister

What is included in Food Add On:

• 3 Dinners
• 3 Breakfasts
• Coffee/tea/cocoa
• Dessert
• Bear Canister

What is not included:

• Transportation
• Park entry fees
• Backpacker’s campground fee ($8 per person)
• Lunch/trail snacks
• Gratuities

It is important to remember that carrying 25-30 pounds on your back is much easier than carrying it in your arms.  Packs are designed for the bulk of the weight to sit on your hips with your legs doing the work.  Equally important is to remember that we have to carry with us anything we are taking so being selective in what we take is important.  Participants will be provided a suggested packing list, prior to the event, with a virtual meeting  2 weeks prior to the event to iron out specific details.

Please do not assume you can’t do this.  If you have questions, please contact me and we can discuss if this trip is appropriate for you.