Yosemite Backpacking Trips

Backpacking - Half Dome and Cloud's Rest Summit - Itinerary

  • ABOUT THE TRIP:
    This trip is designed to take you to the summit of two of the most spectacular and famous summits in Yosemite National Park. On our trek we will explore the Tuolumne backcountry, backpack over the summit of Clouds Rest (9,926'), climb to the summit of Half Dome (8,836'), travel down a section of the John Muir Trail and see breathtaking waterfalls all in a long weekend format!

    ACCOMMODATIONS:
    First night in the Curry Village tent cabins (shared occupancy) followed by two nights camping in tents.

    GROUP SIZE:
    2-7 participants with 1 guide. Larger (up to 13 people) private group dates can be arranged.

    GRADE:
    Moderate: Mostly on-trail backpacking on uneven terrain with modest to difficult climbs. These trips are up to five days in duration and the commitment level varies by trip.

    The cable route is the hiking trail to the summit of Half Dome. It gets its name from the cables put in place to assist hikers with the steep and smooth nature of the granite dome. Although this seems intimidating, people generally have an easy time with it.

    EQUIPMENT:
    SYMG can supply all needed personal (backpacks, sleeping bags, ground pads, tents)  and group camping equipment if requested on the registration form.  There is no additional charge for this service. You may print from our web page a detailed gear list and directions.

    MEALS:
    Meals begin with lunch the second day and are provided through lunch and trail snacks the last day.  Our "Backcountry Gourmet" meals have been acclaimed in Sunset Magazine.

    COST OF THE TRIP: $745.00 per person (on group size 4-13) / $895.00 per person (on group size 2-3).

    YOUR COST INCLUDES:
    Meals provided (lunch from day 2 through lunch on day 4) , backpacking gear, Shuttl to Tuolumne trailhead group gear, permit and guide.

    NOT INCLUDED:
    Personal gear, tips for guides (10-20% of trip fee), transportation to Curry Village, optional trip cancellation insurance

    PREPARATION:
    We recommend increasing your exercise routine in the month prior to the trip to increase your cardiovascular/aerobic ability.  Hiking, with a backpack, preferably on hills and off pavement is excellent practice.

    Day 1:
    Check-in for Curry Village is at 5 pm. You will meet your guide(s) in front of the Yosemite Mountain Shop in Curry Village at 6pm for an orientation and gear check. Dinner is on your own.

    Day  2:
    After breakfast on your own, you will meet your guide in front of the Curry Village Mountain Shop at 7:30am. We’ll leave our cars here in the parking lot and take a shuttle to the Sunrise Trailhead at Tenaya Lake (8,140’). The shuttle takes about an hour. We’ll then hike about 4 miles to the Sunrise Lakes area for our first night’s camp.

    Day  3:
     Today we’ll start our day with a 4 mile hike to summit Cloud’s Rest (9,926’). From the summit you will have incredible views of Half Dome, Yosmite Valley and the Tuolumne High Country. After enjoying lunch on the summit, we will continue another 3.5 miles to our camp on Sunrise Creek (7,210’).

    Day 4: 
     After an early breakfast we will start up Half Dome (8,836’) for a summit attempt of Yosemite’s crown jewel. We’ll stash our packs along the trail and hike up with just the necessities. After taking in the beauty of Half Dome’s summit, we’ll come back down to our packs, grab a quick lunch and hike all the way to Yosemite Valley (4,035’). We will have breathtaking views of Nevada and Vernal Falls and the Merced River along the way. We will end our trip back at Curry Village (12 miles).

  • Please call the SYMG office with any questions ~ 800 231-4575

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