Click on photos for larger images. Sometimes you have to refresh the page to re-activate this feature. Hide Slide Show (you will have to refresh the page to see it again)

Yosemite National Park, CA

SOLD OUT! (Put me on the waiting list)

Aug 15 - Aug 22, 2021 -- $1325 ★★★

Yosemite National Park is a beautiful Sierra wonderland featuring towering mountains, thundering waterfalls and rugged pulchritude. The incredible views in this wilderness are virtually inescapable, it's actually hard to avoid them. On our trip, we will be hiking a scenic loop featuring the iconic Cloud's Rest in addition to other gorgeous places such as Glen Aulin, Tenaya Lake and May Lake. At the end of the trip, we'll cap it off with a walk through the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias -- leviathan trees which can grow to be over 300' tall.


Our journey will begin in relatively peaceful Tuolumne Meadows, when compared to Yosemite Valley. We'll do a grand loop that visits Glen Aulin, May Lake, Sunrise Lake, Clouds Rest, Cathedral Lake and back to Tuolumne Meadows before ending our journey with a day-hike through the Giant Sequoias. Along the way, you may see black bears, big horn sheep, yellow bellied marmots, mule deer, pika, short tailed-weasels and possibly even a mountain lion.


Come see why everyone wants to visit Yosemite and join us this coming summer.



Weather

Weather is always an important concern when hiking. Expect daytime hiking temperatures well into the 70s and nighttime temperatures in the 40s & 50s. However, be prepared for the possibility of day temperatures in the 80s and as low as 30 plus violent afternoon thunderstorms. Here is the anticipated weather.



Probable Trip Leaders

Rick Romine
Julie Quibodeaux


Cost

$1325 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a room with another participant during the 2 hotel nights. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Oakland, CA (OAK), personal equipment, restaurant meals eaten off the trail and any gratuities for guides.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, 6 days of trail meals, ground transportation, National Park permits and 2 awesome guides.



Difficulty


The trails through Yosemite National Park are very well groomed with good footing. However, elevation gain and loss can be dramatic. Furthermore, some days are relatively high mileage making this trip difficult at times, but also rewarding, with incredible scenery few ever get to see, that continually changes and keeps you engaged.



Important Notes


This is only a tentative itinerary. While we hope to be permitted for this route, we must Fax in (yes really) our proposed itinerary exactly 168 days prior to the trip at midnight in order to be included in the trailhead quota for the trip we propose. Depending upon whether we are ultimately given a backcountry permit, we may do this itinerary in reverse or possibly even visit another section of the park.


The 2017 High Sierra snow pack was historically deep, especially at elevations over 11000'. The highest point on our trek is 9931', so we don't expect snow issues in 2021, but be prepared for lingering patches along the trail anyway.


Back to top

 

Packing List
Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
Packing List
Sign up Now!

Itinerary


Sunday, August 15, 2021

Fly, bus or drive into Oakland, CA (OAK). Some time between Noon - 3PM is the ideal time to arrive, but if you can save a substantial amount on trip costs by arriving a few hours earlier or later, you should do that.

Take the free airport shuttle to local hotel (TBD)

Equipment shakedown. We go through your pack and examine everything you brought.

Trail mix distribution, Covid permitting

"Before" body composition measurements taken

Body temperature taken to check for Covid risk

Go to REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702

Go out for a group welcome dinner (not included in trip cost)



Monday, August 16, 2021

Second set of "before" measurements taken

Body temperature taken to check for Covid risk

Free Hotel Breakfast

If you drove, vehicles may be left at Hotel. However, the hotel may charge you a fee and assumes no responsibility for your car's security and will have you sign a document saying so.

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and placed in storage

Shuttle to Yosemite National Park, Tuolumne Meadows (about 4 hours)

Pick up backcountry permit

Start hiking at Tuolumne Meadows, elevation 8619'

Hike about 5.3 miles to Glen Aulin, elevation 7800'

Camp at Glen Aulin, elevation 7800'

Miles today: 5.3 miles. Total to Date: 5.3 Miles

Possible Bailout: Tuolumne Meadows


Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Hike 8.1 miles to May Lake, elevation 9270'

Camp at May Lake, elevation 9270

Miles today: 8.1. Total miles: 13.4

Possible bailout: May Lake access road


Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Hike about 2.5 miles to Tioga Rd, elevation 8450'

Hike 0.8 to Tenaya Lake, elevation 8150'

Option: If we are moving strongly and have lots of time, we can drop packs and day-hike 3.0 round trip miles to the summit of Buena Vista Peak, elevation 9709'. We can then make the rest of the day shorter and lengthen a subsequent day.

Hike about 3.5 miles to Sunrise Lakes, elevation 9200'

Camp at Sunrise Lakes, elevation 9200'

Miles today: 6.8. Total miles: 20.2

Possible bailout: Tioga Road


Thursday, August 19, 2021

Day-hiking only today. Keep tents pitched at Sunrise Lakes.

Day-hike about 5.0 miles to the summit of Clouds Rest, elevation 9931'

Take lots of photos of this iconic view and drink in the grandeur.

Day-hike about 5.0 miles to Sunrise Lakes, elevation 9200'

Camp near upper(?) Sunrise Lakes, elevation 9200'

Miles today: 10.0. Total miles: 30.2

Possible bailout: Tioga Road


Friday, August 20, 2021

Hike 6.5 miles to Cathedral Lake, pasing 10600' Cathedral Pass along the way.

Camp at upper Cathedral Lake, elevation 9587'

Miles today: 6.5. Total miles: 36.8

Possible bailout: Tioga Rd.


Saturday, August 21, 2021

Hike 4.9 miles to Tuolumne Meadows, elevation 8619'

Get in vehicle(s) and shuttle about an hour to the Tuolumne Grove Trailhead, elevation 6200'

Day-Hike 2.0 round trip miles to the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, elevation 6600'

End of hiking

Miles today: 6.9. Total miles: 43.7

Possible bailout: Tuolumne Meadows

Shuttle back to Oakland. Check back into hotel (TBD)

Your stuff will be transported here shortly after we arrive and check in

After measurements taken

Go out to celebratory dinner (not included in trip cost) and awards Ceremony

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Sunday, August 22, 2021

Free airport shuttle


Back to top