What you get on this adventure: Experienced local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area 8-day Yosemite Grand Traverse backpacking and camping tour Accommodation (first night’s lodging at Fairfield Inn & Suites and 6 nights of wilderness tent camping with permits ensured) Transportation to the trailhead (private shuttle from Fresno to starting trailhead and from ending trailhead to Fresno) Backcountry gourmet meals (from breakfast on Day 2 to lunch on Day 8) including trail snacks and hot tea or coffee each morning Personal backpacking gear rental (backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, trekking poles, and tents—solo travelers get a single tent, otherwise you can choose from a 2 or 3-person tent) — provided upon request free of charge, let us know upon booking Group gear (provided by the guides): Water filters Stoves Cookware Group shelter Emergency GPS device Group first aid kit Group bathroom kit (trowel & toilet paper) Bear cans What’s not included: Transportation to Fresno Dinner on Day 1 Personal clothing & footwear Guide gratuities — recommended Travel and medical insurance — strongly recommended

How fit do I need to be?

The Yosemite Grand Traverse is tailored for hikers with excellent fitness levels. You will be hiking through varied terrain, covering an average of 8 miles / 13 kilometers each day , encountering significant changes in elevation along the way. Check out the itinerary for detailed info on distances and elevation changes day-by-day. It is strongly encouraged that hikers have recent backpacking experience or adequate practice before tackling the Yosemite Grand Traverse. Those who have done a backpacking trip carrying a fully weighted pack (30-40 lbs / 13.5-18 kg) for 3-5 days usually handle the Yosemite Grand Traverse better. If you haven’t had this experience, it is highly recommended to ensure you’re at the similar fitness level and commit to a detailed training plan. To ensure an enjoyable and successful experience on the trail, it is suggested that you follow a rigorous training regimen leading up to your guided Yosemite tour. This should focus on: Building endurance, cardio, and aerobic activities. Strengthening core and leg muscles (including abs and quads). Day hikes or short overnight trips with a weighted pack (30-35 lbs / 13.5-16 kg), as they can help prepare you both physically and mentally for backpacking challenges. Cross-training activities like cycling, running, using a step-master, or climbing stairs, which can enhance overall fitness levels. Incorporating hilly terrain and steep climbs into your training because it will further help in preparing for the demands of the Yosemite Grand Traverse. If you’re new to hiking and/or backpacking, check out this beginner-friendly tour in Ansel Adams Wilderness, Sierra Nevada.

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: Water bottle or hydration bladder (3L capacity) Personal clothing and footwear Personal backpacking gear — available to rent at no additional cost, let us know upon booking Backpack (large enough to carry all the items listed) Sleeping bag and sleeping pad Trekking poles Tents — one-person tent available for solo travelers, otherwise choose from a two, three, or four-person tent Lightweight hiking boots or shoes Comfortable hiking clothes Spare clothes for layering Waterproof rain jacket Sunhat Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.) Medications Personal medical kit (small) Head net Headlamp or flashlight Sunglasses Camera — optional (but recommended) Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

What will the meals be like?

During this Yosemite Grand Traverse backpacking adventure, your guide will take care of all meal preparation, from breakfast on Day 2 to lunch on Day 8. Get ready to taste some of the finest backpacking meals in the biz! Special dietary needs such as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free can be accommodated—just let us know upon booking. While your guides handle all menu planning and shopping, including snacks, feel free to bring along some extra snacks if you know yourself to be a hearty eater/snacker. Still, remember that space is limited in the provided bear-proof containers. Your guides are also open to specific snack requests when you book your trip.

What is the accommodation like?

During your Yosemite Grand Traverse adventure, you’ll spend the majority of your nights camping by picturesque lakes, with just the initial night spent at the hotel . Lodgings at the Fairfield Inn & Suites are double occupancy rooms, meaning you’ll share a room with another hiker on the first night. If you’re traveling solo and there’s no one you could share the room with, a forced single supplement fee of $55 will be applied. Alternatively, you can pay for a single supplement upfront at the checkout to ensure you have the room to yourself. While on trail, you will be sleeping in a tent. Your guides can provide a tent at no additional cost, but you’ll have to let us know upon booking. For solo travelers, single tents are available, while groups can choose between two-person or three-person tents based on their preference.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing For this guided Yosemite Grand Traverse backpacking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1. The maximum number of participants is set at 13. It takes a minimum of 3 participants for this tour to run. In the wild, you’ll be staying in tents. Solo travelers will be accommodated in single-person tents. The first night at the Fairfield Inn & Suites involves double occupancy rooms, so if you’re traveling solo, you’ll likely share a room with another hiker. In case there is no one to share the room with, you’ll have to pay a forced single supplement fee (additional $55 in case there is no roommate available). There’s also a possibility of paying for a single supplement upfront during checkout to make sure you’ll have a room to yourself. Yosemite Grand Traverse backpacking tours can be arranged for larger or private groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join Yosemite Grand Traverse on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to the starting point of your Yosemite Grand Traverse, you first have to reach Fresno. Most people fly into Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) , which is conveniently located just opposite your hotel. You’ll be staying at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Fresno, CA. Airport provides a complimentary shuttle to the hotel if needed. Make sure to arrive in Fresno before 6 pm, so you can meet your guides and your group for trip orientation. If you are driving to Fresno, you are welcome to leave your vehicle parked at the hotel during your trip for no additional fee. Any additional luggage you have can be stored at the secure facility during your trip. At the end of the trip, a private shuttle will pick up the group in Yosemite Valley and will drop off at the Fresno Airport or at the Fairfield Inn. If flying out on the last day, your guides recommend booking flights no earlier than 6pm.

Safety measures in California

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans. We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK | CALIFORNIA

Yosemite Grand Traverse: Backpacking Adventure

5.00

Clark Range in the Yosemite National Park

Duration

8 days

Season

July through September

Accommodation

Hotel & camping

Book a call

Intro
Brochure
Reviews
Things to know

Did you know that Yosemite boasts one of the World’s Top 15 Trails, according to National Geographic? Yosemite Grand Traverse has reached an almost mythical status ever since SYMG—the very guides who will be leading you—put it together back in 2009. On this thrilling 8-day adventure tailored for nature enthusiasts, we’ll visit iconic sites such as Isberg Pass, Clouds Rest, and Cathedral Lake, and uncover hidden treasures along the way. With just one trip, you’ll be able to cross Yosemite off your bucket list, witnessing its most famous landmarks, and completing one of the World’s Top 15 Trails! Don’t miss out on this epic journey.

Adventure highlights

The standout landmarks of Yosemite

Isberg Pass, the Merced River, Echo Valley, a section of John Muir Trail—all of that in just a week
Scenic Clouds Rest summit

Challenge yourself and scale the Clouds Rest summit at almost 10,000 feet / 3,050 meters
Lakeside camping under Cathedral Peak

Swim in the Cathedral Lake, marvel at the jaggy Cathedral Peak above you, and sleep under starry skies

Yosemite Grand Traverse: Backpacking Adventure

Adventure Brochure

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If you have questions or need help with planning a trip, schedule a call with one of our adventure experts.

Meet your guide

5.00

Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides

Founded in 1991 by a trio of close friends, Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides strive to intertwine their passion for the outdoors with their professional lives. This blend of personal and professional dedication propelled SYMG to the forefront of the active travel and mountain guiding world, providing carefully planned and executed trips in the most spectacular wilderness areas of California and beyond. Over the years, they’ve introduced countless adventurers to the beauty of Yosemite and the High Sierra, earning accolades such as being recognized as one of the “Best Outfitters on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure Magazine.

5.00(4 reviews)

Alex Farr

I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed my Yosemite Grand Traverse trip. I saw Yosemite in such a way that will stay with me forever. The food, the guiding, the route and the views were all perfect! The best part of the trip was our guide Csuri Odry. She is by far in all my years of expeditions around the world, the finest guide I have ever had the privilege of learning from. She is a real gem and made the trip extremely fun, safe, memorable and one that I would recommend to anyone.

Scott R.

Amazingly fit and hard working. Really an honor to hike with such an elite mountain guide willing to take responsibility for the safety of 13 people.

Stefan B.

I wanted to let you know that both my brother and I had an incredible time on our SYMG adventure. There were so many highlights that I can’t possibly even begin to list them all. One thing that deserves a special mention were our incredible guides, Ashley and Ryan. They were professional, courteous, easy-going, passionate and knowledgeable and kept us all in great spirits (and incredibly well fed!!!) throughout the entire trip. Simply put, I can’t imagine having had a better guide experience. Sincerely,

Show all reviews

Alex Farr

Scott R.

Amazingly fit and hard working. Really an honor to hike with such an elite mountain guide willing to take responsibility for the safety of 13 people.

Stefan B.

David K.

I turned 50 this year. I feel this is important to mention for those of you considering this trip and wondering if you’re up for the challenge. You got this and the guides have your back 100% of the time. On our trip the guides were tested right from the beginning. They had a guest reschedule the night before, and dropped one more guest on day two with altitude sickness. Escorting this guest to safety was seamless. This safety maneuver was handled professionally and with no impact to the remaining guests. The food was off the hook! The overall food requests made by the guests varied. We had a vegetarian, gluten free, and someone that requested as much meat as possible. The planning and effort put into the menu was amazing. It’s going to be hard to go back to the boring meals I typically backpack with. After night 3 the group really came together, our oldest backpacker was around 62 and the youngest 33. This diverse group made the experience amazing. I would recommend SYMG one hundred percent.

Things to know

What you get on this adventure:
- - Experienced local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 8-day Yosemite Grand Traverse backpacking and camping tour
  - Accommodation (first night’s lodging at Fairfield Inn & Suites and 6 nights of wilderness tent camping with permits ensured)
  - Transportation to the trailhead (private shuttle from Fresno to starting trailhead and from ending trailhead to Fresno)
  - Backcountry gourmet meals (from breakfast on Day 2 to lunch on Day 8) including trail snacks and hot tea or coffee each morning
  - Personal backpacking gear rental (backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, trekking poles, and tents—solo travelers get a single tent, otherwise you can choose from a 2 or 3-person tent) — provided upon request free of charge, let us know upon booking
  - Group gear (provided by the guides):
    
    Water filters
    
    Stoves
    
    Cookware
    
    Group shelter
    
    Emergency GPS device
    
    Group first aid kit
    
    Group bathroom kit (trowel & toilet paper)
    
    Bear cans
What’s not included:
- - Transportation to Fresno
  - Dinner on Day 1
  - Personal clothing & footwear
  - Guide gratuities — recommended
  - Travel and medical insurance — strongly recommended
The Yosemite Grand Traverse is tailored for hikers with excellent fitness levels. You will be hiking through varied terrain, covering an average of 8 miles / 13 kilometers each day, encountering significant changes in elevation along the way. Check out the itinerary for detailed info on distances and elevation changes day-by-day.
It is strongly encouraged that hikers have recent backpacking experience or adequate practice before tackling the Yosemite Grand Traverse. Those who have done a backpacking trip carrying a fully weighted pack (30-40 lbs / 13.5-18 kg) for 3-5 days usually handle the Yosemite Grand Traverse better. If you haven’t had this experience, it is highly recommended to ensure you’re at the similar fitness level and commit to a detailed training plan.

To ensure an enjoyable and successful experience on the trail, it is suggested that you follow a rigorous training regimen leading up to your guided Yosemite tour. This should focus on:
- - Building endurance, cardio, and aerobic activities.
  - Strengthening core and leg muscles (including abs and quads).
  - Day hikes or short overnight trips with a weighted pack (30-35 lbs / 13.5-16 kg), as they can help prepare you both physically and mentally for backpacking challenges.
  - Cross-training activities like cycling, running, using a step-master, or climbing stairs, which can enhance overall fitness levels.
  - Incorporating hilly terrain and steep climbs into your training because it will further help in preparing for the demands of the Yosemite Grand Traverse.
If you’re new to hiking and/or backpacking, check out this beginner-friendly tour in Ansel Adams Wilderness, Sierra Nevada.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
- - Water bottle or hydration bladder (3L capacity)
  - Personal clothing and footwear
  - Personal backpacking gear — available to rent at no additional cost, let us know upon booking
    
    Backpack (large enough to carry all the items listed)
    
    Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
    
    Trekking poles
    
    Tents — one-person tent available for solo travelers, otherwise choose from a two, three, or four-person tent
  - Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
  - Comfortable hiking clothes
  - Spare clothes for layering
  - Waterproof rain jacket
  - Sunhat
  - Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  - Medications
  - Personal medical kit (small)
  - Head net
  - Headlamp or flashlight
  - Sunglasses
  - Camera — optional (but recommended)
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
During this Yosemite Grand Traverse backpacking adventure, your guide will take care of all meal preparation, from breakfast on Day 2 to lunch on Day 8. Get ready to taste some of the finest backpacking meals in the biz! Special dietary needs such as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free can be accommodated—just let us know upon booking.

While your guides handle all menu planning and shopping, including snacks, feel free to bring along some extra snacks if you know yourself to be a hearty eater/snacker. Still, remember that space is limited in the provided bear-proof containers. Your guides are also open to specific snack requests when you book your trip.
During your Yosemite Grand Traverse adventure, you’ll spend the majority of your nights camping by picturesque lakes, with just the initial night spent at the hotel.

Lodgings at the Fairfield Inn & Suites are double occupancy rooms, meaning you’ll share a room with another hiker on the first night. If you’re traveling solo and there’s no one you could share the room with, a forced single supplement fee of $55 will be applied. Alternatively, you can pay for a single supplement upfront at the checkout to ensure you have the room to yourself.

While on trail, you will be sleeping in a tent. Your guides can provide a tent at no additional cost, but you’ll have to let us know upon booking. For solo travelers, single tents are available, while groups can choose between two-person or three-person tents based on their preference.
Group sizes and pricing
- - For this guided Yosemite Grand Traverse backpacking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
  - The maximum number of participants is set at 13.
  - It takes a minimum of 3 participants for this tour to run.
  - In the wild, you’ll be staying in tents. Solo travelers will be accommodated in single-person tents.
  - The first night at the Fairfield Inn & Suites involves double occupancy rooms, so if you’re traveling solo, you’ll likely share a room with another hiker. In case there is no one to share the room with, you’ll have to pay a forced single supplement fee (additional $55 in case there is no roommate available). There’s also a possibility of paying for a single supplement upfront during checkout to make sure you’ll have a room to yourself.
Yosemite Grand Traverse backpacking tours can be arranged for larger or private groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join Yosemite Grand Traverse on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to the starting point of your Yosemite Grand Traverse, you first have to reach Fresno. Most people fly into Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT), which is conveniently located just opposite your hotel.

You’ll be staying at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Fresno, CA. Airport provides a complimentary shuttle to the hotel if needed. Make sure to arrive in Fresno before 6 pm, so you can meet your guides and your group for trip orientation.

If you are driving to Fresno, you are welcome to leave your vehicle parked at the hotel during your trip for no additional fee. Any additional luggage you have can be stored at the secure facility during your trip.

At the end of the trip, a private shuttle will pick up the group in Yosemite Valley and will drop off at the Fresno Airport or at the Fairfield Inn. If flying out on the last day, your guides recommend booking flights no earlier than 6pm.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance.

With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.

Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!
A non-refundable deposit of $400 is due upon booking to secure your place. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
- - Cancellations sixty one (61) days or greater in advance are eligible for a full refund less the non-refundable deposit.
  - For cancellations sixty (60) to thirty one (31) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking.
  - After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide.