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

Sunday, July 26, 2026 - Sunday, August 2, 2026 -- $1900 ★★★★


Yosemite National Park is a stunning Sierra Nevada wilderness renowned for its towering granite peaks, dramatic waterfalls, and rugged alpine beauty. The views here are so captivating they’re nearly impossible to avoid—every bend in the trail offers a new, breathtaking scene. This scenic point-to-point backpacking trip will guide you through some of Yosemite’s most spectacular backcountry, including an unforgettable ascent of Clouds Rest, as well as visits to Tenaya Lake, May Lake, and a dramatic Half Dome overlook.


To conclude the journey, we’ll take a peaceful walk through the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, where you’ll stand beneath trees over 300 feet tall, among the oldest and largest living things on Earth.


Our adventure begins along Tioga Road at Porcupine Flat Campground, from which we’ll hike toward North Dome and camp at a stunning viewpoint overlooking Half Dome itself. From there, we’ll explore the high country, staying near May Lake, then continuing on to Sunrise Lake, and making our way up to the panoramic summit of Clouds Rest—a spot that offers one of the most expansive views in all of Yosemite. Our route then leads us to Cathedral Lake and finishes in Tuolumne Meadows, a high alpine paradise surrounded by granite domes and meadows bursting with wildflowers.


Wildlife sightings are common and may include black bears, bighorn sheep, yellow-bellied marmots, mule deer, pika, short-tailed weasels, and possibly even a mountain lion, though encounters are rare and awe-inspiring.


This alternate route is no consolation prize—it offers a world-class Yosemite experience, full of high-country beauty, rewarding hikes, and unforgettable moments. Join us this summer and discover why Yosemite continues to inspire generations of hikers and nature lovers.



Topographical Map of Proposed Route

See Topo map


Weather

Weather is always an important factor to consider when hiking in the high country of Yosemite National Park. During the summer season, you can generally expect daytime temperatures in the 70s°F, with overnight lows in the 40s and 50s°F ideal conditions for hiking and camping.


That said, mountain weather is notoriously unpredictable. It’s entirely possible to encounter daytime highs in the 80s°F or temperatures that dip into the 30s°F at night, especially at higher elevations. In addition, afternoon thunderstorms are not uncommon and can bring sudden, intense downpours along with lightning so proper rain gear and weather awareness are essential.


Being prepared with layered clothing, a quality sleeping bag, and rain protection will help ensure your comfort and safety throughout the trip. We’ll time our hiking days to avoid exposed areas during the peak of any potential storms, but flexibility and awareness are key when hiking in this stunning, ever-changing landscape.



Probable Trip Leaders

Rick Romine
Beau Devlin
Any Other Guide(s) TBD

Cost

$1900 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. Single room accommodations are available for purchase. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Fresno, CA (FAT) as well as personal equipment, restaurant meals and any gratuities for guides. You may also be charged for any parking charges for leaving your car at the hotel all week if you drive.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, storage fees, 6 days of trail meals, airport transfers, ground transportation to/from/within the National Park, park permits, park entrance fees and awesome guides.


Tipping: In order to keep our prices competitive with (and hopefully favorable to) other outfitters, we shamefully can’t pay our guides as much as we think they deserve. Like most other guiding services, we rely on the generosity of our participants to make up this shortfall by tipping the guides. Gratuity can comprise a significant and important part of a guide’s compensation. The industry recommended gratuity amount is 10-20% of the trip cost. Gratuities are always optional and based on level of satisfaction but generally account for 30-60% of their income through gratuities. Fitpacking supports tipping to the greatest extent possible while remaining tactful and professional. Guides are not permitted to solicit tips in any way other than doing an exceptional job supporting and providing exceptional customer service to our participants. If your guides have served you well, please support them with gratuities so they can continue living their extravagant lifestyles of eating powdered meals, sleeping in the dirt and pooping in smelly outhouses and small holes they've dug.



Important Notes about this trip

The trails throughout Yosemite National Park are generally well-maintained and offer reliable footing, making for enjoyable hiking conditions. However, the Sierra Nevada terrain features significant elevation gain and loss, and some days include steep ascents and descents that can be physically demanding—especially when carrying a full backpack. That said, the effort is more than rewarded: the constantly changing scenery and sweeping panoramic views create a truly immersive wilderness experience that few Yosemite visitors ever get to enjoy.


This trip represents our alternate itinerary for Yosemite in 2026. It will be offered if we are not successful in securing permits through the Half Dome lottery system. While it does not include a Half Dome summit, this route offers an equally stunning and memorable adventure through some of the park’s most scenic high-country terrain.


Back to top
Sign Up For a Trip
Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
Map
 
 

Itinerary


Sunday, July 26, 2026

Fly or drive into Fresno, CA (FAT). The best time to arrive is between Noon-3PM. However, if you can save a substantial amount on your flight by arriving an hour or two later or earlier, then do so. Note: Flights to Fresno can be expensive, so book early. Flights can also be limited so you may have to arrive a few hours earlier or less desirably, later

It's possible that someone else will drive in from San Francisco or Oakland (3+ hours) so we might be able to arrange a carpool if you decide to do this.

Take the free airport shuttle to local hotel: TBD

We will assemble at: TBD, To Be Determined

Equipment shakedown. We go through your packs to make sure you're prepared for the trip equipment-wise.

Make-your-own trail mix bar. You craft your personal trail mix from a cornucopia of nuts, fruits, sweets and occasional wildcard items that we provide.

If you have forgotten or overlooked gear, we may take a trip to REI Fresno, 7810 N Blackstone Ave, Fresno, CA 93720, 559-261-4168

Go out to welcome dinner at local restaurant. Cost of dinner not included in trip cost.

Stay in local hotel: TBD, To Be Determined


Monday, July 27, 2026

Free breakfast at the hotel

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

Shuttle to Yosemite National Park, Porcupine Flat Campground (about 4 hours)

Pick up backcountry permit and bear canisters when entering the park

Guides will need to shuttle a vehicle to the ending portion of the trip, Tuolumne Meadows about 15 miles away. During this 45 minute period, we anticipate participants will eat lunch, pack food into their bear canisters and re-pack their packs with full canisters.

Start hiking at Porcupine Flat Campground, elevation 8100'

Hike 1.2 miles to Lebemite Creek Trail, elevation 7850'

Hike 1.5 miles to a 4 way trail intersection, elevation 7800'

Hike 2.6 miles to a footbridge, elevation 7400'

Bushwhack south about 100 yards to a campsite with an incredible overlook view of Half Dome, elevation 7400'

Camp within view of Half Dome, elevation 7400'

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

Possible bailout: Tioga Rd


Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Hike 4.1 miles to Tioga Road near some quarries, elevation 8400'

Hike 3.3 miles to May Lake, elevation 9270'

Camp at May Lake, elevation 9270'

Mileage Today: 7.4. Total mileage: 12.7

Possible bailout: May Lake access road


Wednesday, July 29, 2026

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 Lower Sunrise Lake, elevation 9200'. We will stay here 2 nights

Mileage Today: 6.8. Total mileage: 19.5

Possible bailout: Tioga road


Thursday, July 30, 2026

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 at Lower Sunrise Lakes, elevation 9200'

Mileage Today: 10.0. Total mileage: 29.5

Possible bailout: Tioga road


Friday, July 31, 2026

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

Camp at upper Cathedral Lake, elevation 9587'

Mileage Today: 6.5. Total mileage: 36.0

Possible bailout: Tioga Rd


Saturday, August 1, 2026

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

Mileage Today: 6.9. Total mileage: 42.9

Possible bailout: Tioga Road

Shuttle back to Fresno (1.5hrs)

Shuttle back to local hotel: TBD, To Be Determined

Gather your off-trail items from storage

Farewell dinner at a local restaurant (Dinner cost not included in trip price)

Stay in our local hotel (included in trip cost)

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 2, 2026

Free breakfast in Hotel

Take free airport shuttle or we will pay for a shared cab/Uber


Back to top