Yosemite Grand Traverse with Horsepack Support - Itinerary
- About the Trip: This stock-supported trip is a real stunner with highlights including a Half Dome ascent, a section of the John Muir Trail, and a nearly 60-mile hiking traverse through the heart of Yosemite. The start is from a remote trailhead in the Ansel Adam's Wilderness area in Southern Yosemite. We'll enter the park after the first day over Isberg Pass into a very remote section of Yosemite. From here we'll travel the high country with moderate mileage each day past a few of Yosemite's famous High Camps before climbing Half Dome, and eventually exiting the trail through Cathedral Lakes into Tuolumne Meadows eight days later.
- Accommodations: 1 night shared lodging at Piccadilly Inn in Fresno, 6 nights in tents.
- Group Size: 4-12 backpackers with 1-2 guides.
- Grade: Difficult- mostly on-trail hiking 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 prior to trip departure date.
- About the Pack Station: Mules will be carrying all of our equipment and your personal gear. You will need to pack your personal belongings efficiently into one mid- sized duffel bag or large compression stuff sack weighing not more than 15 pounds.
- Meals: Meals begin with lunch the first day on the trail and are provided through breakfast the last day.
- Cost of the Trip: $2595.00 per person (on group size of 10-12)
$2895.00 per person (on group size of 5-9)*
*Note trip can be run with 4 people with a $400.00 per person surcharge
(Single supplement: requested $150, forced single $75.00)
- 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, and remote shuttles to the beginning point trailhead on Day 2 and Tuolumne pick -up point on day 8.
- Not Included: Personal gear, meals while in the front country, optional gratuity for guide (typically 10-20% of trip cost), transportation to and from Fresno, CA airport. Single lodging supplements.
- 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 Piccadilly Inn adjacent to the Fresno Airport anytime after 4 PM. Meet your guide(s) in the Lobby at 6pm for an orientation and happy hour. Have dinner on your own at the Hotel.
- Day 2: After an early breakfast on your own, our shuttle will meet us at 7am to drive to the remote trailhead (7,100'), about a 3-hour drive. The hike to our first camp will be roughly 4.4 miles to Knoblock Meadow. That evening there may be time to wander or fish while your guide(s) prepare dinner. The day ends with campfire and stargazing.
- Day 3: The next day is a longer one at roughly 9.4 miles spent hiking over Isberg Pass and into Yosemite National Park. We'll be camping at Lake 10K (10,005') with views towards Triple Divide Peak, Isberg, Long Mtn., and Forester Peak (11,611', 10,996', 11502', and 12057' respectively).
- Day 4: Today's hike is a grand downhill, through the creek drainages that eventually form the mighty wild and scenic Merced River. Views of the Eastern slope of Yosemite's Clark Range are abundant. The day's hike drops us 2500' over roughly 9 miles where we'll camp along the Merced River at 7,800'.
- Day 5: We'll start heading west towards the world's most famous monolith and Yosemite's crown jewel, Half Dome. 9 miles of gradual ups and downs takes us to the Sunrise Creek area (7200'), positioning us below Half Dome in preparation for an early start the following day.
- Day 6: We'll be up early to begin hiking up the famous cable route to the top of Half Dome (8,836'). Only a daypack is necessary for today, as we will backtrack to our camp mid day. Round trip up and down the Dome is 9 miles.
- Day 7: Our second to last day will take us uphill along the John Muir Trail through the well known Yosemite High Camp area called Sunrise on our way to what many guides call "one of the most beautiful spots in Yosemite," Cathedral Lakes (9288'). 8.5 miles.
- Day 8: After breakfast, we'll pack up and head out the remaining 4.5 miles to the trailhead at Tuolumne Meadows in Northern Yosemite. We'll be meeting our shuttle here mid morning for a scenic drive back to Fresno for the end of the trip. Along the way we'll pass through the incomparable Yosemite Valley. Expect a 5-6pm return to Fresno.
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