Included: An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area 4-day Tuolumne hiking adventure Yosemite National Park entry reservations and trailhead permits All meals as indicated in the itinerary as well as snacks Hot coffee and tea each morning Gear including stoves, water filters, first aid, etc. (everyone helps carry some of this gear) Transportation pre and post trip (if needed) A tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack, and trekking poles (if needed) — let us know upon checkout Add-ons: Single supplement Not included: Transportation to Fresno Accommodations before and after the trip Travel and medical insurance — optional Evacuations Guide gratuities — optional Personal clothing

How fit do I need to be?

While this Tuolumne hiking adventure is Yosemite requires no backpacking experience, great fitness and training prior to the trip is still a must. And the best training for hiking is—hiking. The route involves significant elevation gain and loss, reaching altitudes of up to 11,000 ft / 3,352 m. Each day, we’ll hike between 4 and 6 miles (6.4 to 9.6 km), with elevation gains up to 2,500 ft (760 m) per day! Additionally, since everyone in the group will help carry gear to basecamp on the first day, expect your backpack to weigh around 30 – 40 lbs (13 – 18 kg) for the ~4-mile / 6.4 km hike. Keep in mind that mountain weather can be unpredictable, so be sure to pack the appropriate clothing. For more hiking adventures in Yosemite, click here !

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: Backpacking gear — your guides can provide this free of charge, let us know upon checkout if you’ll need the following gear Backpack large enough to carry all the items listed Sleeping bag Sleeping pad Tent Trekking poles Personal items: Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity) Sunhat Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.) Headlamp or flashlight Sunglasses Camera — optional (but recommended) Blister kit & plasters Mobile phone and battery charging bank Clothing: Lightweight hiking boots or shoes Comfortable hiking clothes Spare clothes for layering Waterproof rain jacket Socks, wool, at least 2 pairs Leggings, wool or polypropylene Extra socks and thermal layers are always handy Optional items: Waterproof over-trousers Facecloth or small towel for washing Motion sickness tablets if you are prone to car sickness Face mask

What is the food like?

All meals are included in this adventure—breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as snacks. Fresh meals will be prepared daily in the backcountry, focusing on local ingredients and avoiding dehydrated or packaged foods. A sample menu for a day includes: Bagels with cream cheese and lox or fresh berries, paired with coffee or tea for breakfast; a charcuterie board for lunch; and pine nut pesto pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and sausage for dinner. Each day features a new menu!

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing For the Tuolumne hiking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1. It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants. Tuolumne hiking adventures can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors as young as 10 may be allowed to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but they must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and have prior backpacking experience with their family. If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

The starting point of your Tuolumne hiking trip is the Yosemite area, near Fresno. If you’re flying from out of state, most people fly into Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) . You can book a stay at one of the nearby hotels. Your guide will coordinate transportation from your accommodation and in the Fresno area to Yosemite and reach out to you before your trip to confirm all travel and meeting point details. Make sure to reach the Fresno area at least a day prior to the trip, as you’ll be meeting up with the guides early in the morning of Day 1.

Safety measures and insurance

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection . To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner! Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered. Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

YOSEMITE | CALIFORNIA

Tuolumne Hiking Tour: Experience Yosemite at Its Finest

Hikers on the Tuolumne hiking adventure in Yosemite

Swimming break on Tuolumne hiking adventure

From $1,595 ()

Duration

4 days

Season

July through September

Accommodation

Tents

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Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Things to know

Join us on a true adventure as we navigate high-altitude terrain, rugged granite ridges, and the breathtaking beauty of the Tuolumne, Sierra Nevada, all under the guidance of a skilled mountain guide. Even though this trip is welcoming to first-time backpackers, good fitness is still required because the route involves significant elevation gains each day. Over four unforgettable days, we’ll summit six peaks, each towering around 11,000 ft / 3,352 m. Our base camp will be set up by Upper Cathedral Lake, where we’ll sleep under the stars in tents. This journey is the perfect blend of simplicity, wilderness, and pure adventure, so let’s experience Yosemite together and create memories that will last a lifetime!

Western Sierra Adventures

Adventure highlights

Perfect for backpacking newbies

All skill levels are welcome: under the watchful eye of a guide, everyone can safely enjoy this trip
Wilderness experience

Fresh mountain air, breathtaking nature, and towering peaks are the perfect way to fully enjoy the wilderness
Camping in a national park

After thrilling hiking, enjoy sleeping under the clear sky, with a prepared dinner and refreshments

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Itinerary

Join us on a 4-day hiking adventure in Tuolumne, where we’ll summit 6 majestic peaks, each rising around 11,000 ft / 3,352 m. With breathtaking views, pristine nature, fresh mountain air, and expert guides, this journey offers the ultimate Yosemite wilderness experience. Camping by Upper Cathedral Lake enhances the adventure, offering an unforgettable immersion in nature. Passionate guides will ensure a memorable experience, sharing their love for this incredible place. While the tour is beginner-friendly—meaning you don't need any backpacking experience, but you should have some level of fitness—the stunning panoramic views will captivate and awe even the most seasoned hikers.

We will pick you up at 9am at the agreed location in the Fresno area—we’ll reach out to you before your trip to confirm all details. After packing the gear, we’ll begin our journey with a 2-hour drive to Tuolumne. We’ll have lunch in the meadows, then hit the trail around 2pm. Our final destination is basecamp at Upper Cathedral Lake, where we’ll stay for the remainder of the tour.

Meals: Lunch, dinner
Hiking: 4 mi / 6.4 km
Elevation gain: 800 ft / 243 m
Accommodation: Tent at the basecamp
After breakfast, we’ll gear up for an action-packed day, reaching two peaks. The adventure begins with a climb to Tenaya Peak (10,266 ft / 3,129 m), where stunning views of Tenaya Lake and Half Dome await.
In addition to Tenaya Peak, our goal is to summit Tressider Peak (10,600 ft / 3,230 m), where we’ll enjoy a summit lunch. After soaking in the magnificent views, we’ll descend back to basecamp, where a relaxing afternoon by the lake will be the perfect conclusion to our first day of Tuolumne hiking adventure.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 4 mi / 6.4 km
Elevation gain: 1,700 ft / 518 m
Accommodation: Tent at the basecamp
Our objective is to climb three incredible peaks. To warm up, we’ll first hike to Budd Lake. From there, we’ll summit the first peak: Echo Peak (11,047 ft / 3,367 m). The adventure then continues with an exhilarating ridge traverse to the next peak: Cockscomb (11,053 ft / 3,368 m). The final peak of the day is Unicorn Peak (10,823 ft / 3,298 m). After summiting all three peaks, we’ll return to basecamp for a well-earned dinner and relaxation.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 6 mi / 9.6 km
Elevation gain: 2,500 ft / 762 m
Accommodation: Tent at the basecamp
Today’s hike kicks off with headlamps lighting our way as we climb Cathedral Peak (10,853 ft / 3,307 m), reaching the top just in time to catch an amazing sunrise. After soaking up the morning sun, we’ll head back to basecamp and then make our way to the trailhead, where lunch and cold drinks will be waiting for us. This marks the end of our adventure. If necessary, we can drop you off somewhere in the Fresno area.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Hiking: 4.5 mi / 7.2 km
Elevation gain: 1,200 ft / 365 m

Tuolumne Hiking Tour: Experience Yosemite at Its Finest

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 guides

5.00

Wyatt Barrett

Wyatt is a skilled mountain guide and naturalist with extensive experience leading backpacking and climbing expeditions throughout the Sierra Nevada. A graduate of UC Santa Cruz and a lifelong resident of central California, Wyatt is passionate about introducing others to the beauty of his home. He takes pride in guiding guests through safe yet challenging adventures that encourage them to push their boundaries. When not guiding, Wyatt can be found exploring the Sierra, having logged thousands of miles of hiking and achieving multiple ultrarunning milestones. He enjoys sharing his wealth of knowledge, helping others build the confidence to embark on their own outdoor journeys.

5.00

Western Sierra Adventures is the result of two people, Sam and Wyatt, who share a deep passion for getting people outdoors. Their vision took shape while climbing at a local crag, where they realized their drive to build something of their own and share the wilderness with others. As part of their long-term mission, Western Sierra Adventures is deeply committed to giving back to Yosemite’s Gateway communities and protecting the wilderness that makes these adventures possible. Supporting the people and places surrounding Yosemite is just as important to Western Sierra Adventures as exploring the park itself.

Things to know

Included:
- - An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 4-day Tuolumne hiking adventure
  - Yosemite National Park entry reservations and trailhead permits
  - All meals as indicated in the itinerary as well as snacks
  - Hot coffee and tea each morning
  - Gear including stoves, water filters, first aid, etc. (everyone helps carry some of this gear)
  - Transportation pre and post trip (if needed)
  - A tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack, and trekking poles (if needed) — let us know upon checkout
Add-ons:
- - Single supplement
Not included:
- - Transportation to Fresno
  - Accommodations before and after the trip
  - Travel and medical insurance — optional
  - Evacuations
  - Guide gratuities — optional
  - Personal clothing
While this Tuolumne hiking adventure is Yosemite requires no backpacking experience, great fitness and training prior to the trip is still a must. And the best training for hiking is—hiking. The route involves significant elevation gain and loss, reaching altitudes of up to 11,000 ft / 3,352 m. Each day, we’ll hike between 4 and 6 miles (6.4 to 9.6 km), with elevation gains up to 2,500 ft (760 m) per day!

Additionally, since everyone in the group will help carry gear to basecamp on the first day, expect your backpack to weigh around 30 – 40 lbs (13 – 18 kg) for the ~4-mile / 6.4 km hike. Keep in mind that mountain weather can be unpredictable, so be sure to pack the appropriate clothing.

For more hiking adventures in Yosemite, click here!
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

Backpacking gear — your guides can provide this free of charge, let us know upon checkout if you’ll need the following gear
- - Backpack large enough to carry all the items listed
  - Sleeping bag
  - Sleeping pad
  - Tent
  - Trekking poles
Personal items:
- - Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed
  - Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
  - Sunhat
  - Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  - Headlamp or flashlight
  - Sunglasses
  - Camera — optional (but recommended)
  - Blister kit & plasters
  - Mobile phone and battery charging bank
Clothing:
- - Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
  - Comfortable hiking clothes
  - Spare clothes for layering
  - Waterproof rain jacket
  - Socks, wool, at least 2 pairs
  - Leggings, wool or polypropylene
  - Extra socks and thermal layers are always handy
Optional items:
- - Waterproof over-trousers
  - Facecloth or small towel for washing
  - Motion sickness tablets if you are prone to car sickness
  - Face mask
All meals are included in this adventure—breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as snacks.

Fresh meals will be prepared daily in the backcountry, focusing on local ingredients and avoiding dehydrated or packaged foods. A sample menu for a day includes: Bagels with cream cheese and lox or fresh berries, paired with coffee or tea for breakfast; a charcuterie board for lunch; and pine nut pesto pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and sausage for dinner. Each day features a new menu!
Group sizes and pricing
- - For the Tuolumne hiking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
  - It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants.
Tuolumne hiking adventures can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors as young as 10 may be allowed to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but they must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and have prior backpacking experience with their family.
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The starting point of your Tuolumne hiking trip is the Yosemite area, near Fresno. If you’re flying from out of state, most people fly into Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT).

You can book a stay at one of the nearby hotels. Your guide will coordinate transportation from your accommodation and in the Fresno area to Yosemite and reach out to you before your trip to confirm all travel and meeting point details. Make sure to reach the Fresno area at least a day prior to the trip, as you’ll be meeting up with the guides early in the morning of Day 1.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Deposits
You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

Basic
- - In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  - For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.
Flexible
- - In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  - For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 30-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, there is no refund.
Super Flexible
- - In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  - For cancellations 30 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
57hours partners with Redpoint Travel Protection, offering you a fully integrated program with a single point of contact for all your needs, from emergency services to travel assistance and protection claims. We highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive protection policy from Redpoint, which will protect you both before and during your travels. Before your departure, your investment is protected by the trip cancellation benefit. Once you depart, your policy provides coverage for trip interruption, medical assistance and rescue, baggage loss, trip delay, and more. Once you complete booking with 57hours, we'll create bespoke quote for you (and your group), making sure you're fully protected for the adventure ahead.