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Yosemite National Park Half Dome

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


Yosemite National Park is a breathtaking Sierra Nevada wilderness filled with towering granite peaks, cascading waterfalls, and dramatic alpine beauty. The scenery is so iconic and expansive, it’s nearly impossible to take a step without being confronted by jaw-dropping views. This trip is designed to immerse you in the very best of what Yosemite has to offer, with a route that includes two of the park’s most renowned landmarks: Half Dome and Clouds Rest.


Our adventure begins along Tioga Road at Tuolumne Meadows, a stunning high-country expanse dotted with wildflowers and granite domes. From there, we’ll hike to Cathedral Lakes, traverse the serene backcountry to Lower Sunrise Lake, and make our way up and over the panoramic summit of Clouds Rest—one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the entire park. After descending to Little Yosemite Valley, we’ll make our way to the base of Half Dome, where those with the appropriate permits and determination can summit one of the most famous rock formations in the world.


To cap off the trip, we’ll enjoy a peaceful walk through the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, home to ancient trees that tower over 300 feet high some of the largest living organisms on Earth.


Along the trail, you may encounter black bears, mule deer, bighorn sheep, yellow-bellied marmots, pika, short-tailed weasels, and perhaps even a mountain lion though sightings are rare and awe-inspiring.



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 responsible 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-groomed and offer solid footing, making for enjoyable and accessible hiking. However, significant elevation gain and loss is common in this mountainous terrain. Some days include steep ascents and descents that can be physically demanding, especially with a full backpack. That said, the effort is well worth it the constantly evolving scenery and panoramic views are truly world-class, offering a sense of immersion that few visitors to Yosemite ever experience.


This trip represents our preferred Yosemite itinerary for 2026, including a summit of Half Dome, one of the most iconic hikes in the country. However, access to Half Dome is controlled by a lottery system, and we must apply for special permits to include it in our route. While we hope to secure these permits, there is no guarantee.


If we are unsuccessful in obtaining the Half Dome permit, the alternate itinerary listed below will be substituted. This backup route still offers an exceptional Yosemite backcountry experience just without the ascent of Half Dome.


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Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
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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, Clouds Rest Trailhead (about 4 hours)

Pick up backcountry permit and bear canisters when entering the park

Eat lunch and pack food into bear canisters.

Guides will need to shuttle a vehicle to the ending portion of the trip, Sunrise Lakes Trailhead 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 Cathedral Lakes Trailhead, elevation 8500'

Hike 3.0 uphill miles to Cathedral Lakes Trail intersection, elevation 9200'

Camp at Upper Cathedral Lake, elevation 4300'

Miles today: 3.5 miles. Total to Date: 3.5 miles

Possible bailout: Tioga Rd


Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Hike 4.5 miles on the John Muir Trail to Sunrise Camp, elevation 9400'

Turn right and hike 2.0 miles past two of the Sunrise Lakes to Lower Sunrise Lake, elevation 9400'

Camp at Sunrise Lake, elevation 9400. There is excellent swimming opportunities here.

Mileage Today: 6.5. Total mileage: 10.0

Possible bailout: Tioga road


Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Hike about 0.5 miles to the Sunrise Lakes Trail, elevation 9350'

Turn left and hike 4.0 miles to the summit of Clouds Rest, elevation 9926'

Clouds Rest is one of the park's iconic destinations, featuring unobstructed sweeping views of Yosemite including Half-Dome. We plan to eat lunch atop Clouds Rest.

Hike 5.8 mostly downhill miles (tough on the knees) to Little Yosemite Valley (LYV), elevation 6100'

Camp at Little Yosemite Valley LYV, elevation 6100'

Expect Little Yosemite Valley LYV to be crowded with several adventure minded people and a possible party atmosphere

We will camp here 2 nights

Mileage Today: 10.3. Total mileage: 20.3

Possible bailout: Happy Isles


Thursday, July 30, 2026

Day-hiking only today. Keep tents pitched at Little Yosemite Valley

Day-hike about 7.0 round-trip miles to the summit of Half Dome, elevation 8836'

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

Camp at Little Yosemite Valley LYV, elevation 6100'

Mileage Today: 7.0. Total mileage: 27.3

Possible bailout: Happy Isles


Friday, July 31, 2026

Hike 4.0 miles on the John Muir Trail to a trail intersection, elevation 8000'

Turn left and hike 5.1 miles to lower Sunrise Lake

Camp at Lower Sunrise Lake, elevation 9300'

Mileage Today: 9.1. Total mileage: 36.4

Possible bailout: Tioga Rd


Saturday, August 1, 2026

Hike 3.0 miles back to Tioga Road, elevation 8150'

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: 5.0. Total mileage: 41.4

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


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