Day 1

Yosemite Valley - Meet the guide in Half Dome Village at 3:00 PM. Get to know the group and familiarize yourself with the gear. If time permits before dinner, take a walk to some of the Valley’s iconic spots. Enjoy dinner at one of the park’s many restaurants. (Food in the front-country is not included.) Camp at the Yosemite Valley Backpacker’s Camp.

Day 2

Cathedral Lake Trail - After breakfast in Curry Village, take the morning shuttle to the Cathedral Lakes Trailhead. Get your first view of the high country while hiking 3.2 moderate miles to Lower Cathedral Lake (9,288′). Upon arrival, enjoy a lakeside lunch and set up camp with a breathtaking view, then spend the rest of the day exploring this iconic alpine lake area, with the option for a short hike to Upper Cathedral Lake. Return to camp in the evening for a delicious hot meal and tea before sleeping under the stars. Also available: swimming, relaxing, and enjoying a stunning sunset. Today’s mileage: 6 mi / +800-1,000′, -800-1,000′; Camp Location: Lower Cathedral Lake.

Day 3

Day 4

Cloud’s Rest - After a hearty breakfast, hike about 3.5 miles to the summit of Clouds Rest at 9,926′. Have lunch at the top while enjoying one of Yosemite’s most famous panoramic views. From the summit, hike down 5 miles to Sunrise Creek for the final night of camping. Today’s mileage: 7.3 mi / +800′, -2,800′; Camp Location: Sunrise Creek/John Muir Trail Junction.

Day 5

Half Dome - Rise early and hike 2.5 miles to the top of Half Dome at 8,836′ (carrying only lightweight daypacks). Take in the views and descend the 2.5 miles back to camp before hiking another 5.5 miles to Yosemite Valley via the Mist Trail. Along the way, experience two of the park’s most spectacular waterfalls. The goal is typically to finish between 2:00 and 3:00 PM, if not sooner.

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

• Dinner on Day 1 and Breakfast on Day 2
• Guide Gratuities
• Yosemite National Park Gate Fee (Must Be Paid On Entry By Visitor)

Begin your Yosemite backpacking journey with a trek through one of the most renowned sections of the John Muir Trail, navigating between stunning alpine lakes to reach the peaks of Clouds Rest and Half Dome! Spend your first night camping at Cathedral Lakes, embracing the essence of the high country. Continue your hike on the JMT over Cathedral Pass, enjoying breathtaking views of alpine peaks. On the third night, set up camp in the Sunrise Lakes area, and from there, ascend to the Clouds Rest summit (9,926’) for one of the most breathtaking vistas of Yosemite Valley! Conclude your adventure by summiting Half Dome (8,836’) before descending to Yosemite Valley via the Mist Trail, which features two magnificent waterfalls. This challenging itinerary is incredibly rewarding! For those seeking a genuine Yosemite experience, this adventure is perfect!

To avoid confusion with the calendar, here are the 2025 dates:
6/20-6/24
7/5-7/9
7/21-7/25
8/2-8/6
8/16-8/20
9/1-9/5
9/19-9/23

• 2025 Dates: 6/20-6/24, 7/5-7/9, 7/21-7/25, 8/2-8/6, 8/16-8/20, 9/1-9/5, 9/19-9/23

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.