Trips

Backpacking - Yosemite High Passes Loop - Itinerary

  • ABOUT THE TRIP:
    The high country lakes, peaks, and passes of the Ansel Adam's Wilderness/Yosemite high country border are truly spectacular. This 50-mile loop takes you deep in the heart of this alpine environment. Along the way, we’ll cross Red Peak Pass at 11, 180’ and the highest pass on trail in Yosemite.  From atop the passes you’ll have breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada Range.  This trip is for those with some hiking and backpacking experience who want to enjoy the beauty of the high peaks, while hiking in one the least traveled areas of Yosemite.

    ACCOMMODATIONS:
    1 night shared lodging on Bass Lake, 5 nights in tents

    GROUP SIZE:
    3-12 backpackers with 1-2 guides

    GRADE:
    Difficult: On- and off-trail hiking or backpacking on uneven terrain with steep grades. These trips are physically and mentally challenging and up to one week in duration. Because these types of trips have a required mileage to complete each day, the level of commitment is high. Trips in this category may spend significant time at higher elevations.

    EQUIPMENT:
    SYMG can supply all needed personal and group camping equipment (backpacks, sleeping bags, ground pads, tents, bear cans, etc).  A detailed gear list will be sent 60 days prior to trip departure date.

    MEALS:
    Meals begin with lunch the first day and are provided through lunch the last day.  

    COST OF THE TRIP:
    $965.00 per person
    Optional single supplement for lodging $125.00 per person

    YOUR COST INCLUDES:
    First nights’ shared accommodation, meals while in the backcountry, personal camping gear (any needed tent, backpacks, sleeping bags, pads), group camp camping gear (first aid, stoves pots/pans, water filters, bear cans, etc) permits, guides.

    NOT INCLUDED:
    Personal gear, meals while in the front country, optional gratuity for guide (typically 10-20% of trip cost), transportation, optional trip cancellation insurance.

    PREPARATION:
    Increase your physical activity and exercise routine.  Hike at least one long hike with a fair amount of elevation gain prior to the trip, with a weighted backpack (30-40lbs) 

    Day 1:
    Check in at the Pines Resort on Bass Lake anytime after 4 PM.  Meet your guide(s) at 6pm in the Lobby for an orientation and gear check.  Choose from several local restaurants for dinner.

    Day 2:
    After an early breakfast on your own (there is a nice bakery in the Pines village), we’ll meet you at 8am to drive to the nearby trailhead (7,600’). The drive, which takes about an hour, is your responsibility to and from the trailhead.  The hike to our first camp will be roughly 8 miles to the Fernandez Lakes Basin (8,900’). That evening there may be time to swim or fish while your guide prepares dinner beneath the high peaks.  The day ends with campfire and stargazing.

    Day 3
    The next day is a long one at roughly 10 miles spent hiking over Fernandez Pass, and then Merced Pass the
    2 lowest of the 4 passes at 10,000’ and 9,600’ respectively, to our final destination at Upper Merced Pass
    Lake (8,920’).

    Day 4:
    Today’s hike is a grand one, through the Ottoway Lakes cirque up to Red Peak Pass, 11, 180, before descending into the Red Devil Lakes basin (10,000’) for a night of camping. This crossing of Yosemite’s Clark range will be about 8 miles.

    Day 5:
    Today we’ll start heading southeast towards Post Peak Pass (10,750’) where we will exit the Park back into the Ansel Adams Wilderness and camp in the high alpine environment of Isberg Meadow. Day’s mileage is about 9.5 miles

    Day 6:
    Today we’ll descend about 1,100’ to the Staniford Lakes Basin in about 7 miles. There is plenty of opportunity for swimming or fishing in the afternoon.

    Day 7:

    After breakfast, we’ll pack up and hike the remaining 6 miles to the trailhead where we started a week earlier. This timing will give us the opportunity to be back at Bass Lake by late afternoon.
  • Please call the SYMG office with any questions ~ 800 231-4575

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