Explore Yosemite's breathtaking beauty on this backpacking adventure from May Lake to Snow Creek. Led by experienced guides, hike (mostly downhill!) through stunning landscapes, including May Lake, with optional Mount Hoffman ascent. Camp across from Half Dome for iconic views before descending to Yosemite Valley and enjoying Snow Creek views. All meals, permits, equipment, and camping included for a hassle-free experience. Perfect for families seeking unforgettable Yosemite vistas.
All dates remain tentative until your guides confirm trailhead permits, usually 22-23 weeks in advance. Please refrain from making travel arrangements (that are unchangeable) until dates/permits are confirmed. Read more in our FAQ.
Meet your guide in Curry Village at 4:00 pm. Meet your group and do an extensive gear check. If time allows before dinner, you’ll be able to walk to some of Yosemite Valley’s iconic sightseeing spots. Get to know your group and your guides a bit better over dinner, before pitching a tent at Yosemite Valley Backpacker’s Camp.
Meals: Dinner
After eating a quick breakfast at camp, catch the morning shuttle to the trailhead near Tuolumne Meadows. Enjoy rugged wilderness vistas at Tenaya Lake (8,150 ft / 2,484 m) before hiking up a total of 3.2 moderate miles to May Lake at 9,329 ft (2,843 m). After setting up camp along the shore of the alpine lake, opt for a four mile round-trip hike to the top of Mount Hoffmann (10,850′). Mount Hoffmann is the geographical center of Yosemite National Park and was John Muir’s favorite summit view.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 3.2 miles (5.1 km) + optional 4 miles (6.4 km)
Elevation: +1,250 ft and +1,650 ft (500 m) if hiking Mount Hoffman
After a hearty breakfast and breaking down your camp, you will hike south and mainly downhill a total of 7.5 miles (12 km) to the top of Snow Creek Falls (6,720 ft / 2,048 m). Here we will camp alongside a creek and directly across from the sheer face of Half Dome. This site provides for some amazing views of Yosemite Valley and the surrounding mountain ranges.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 7.5 miles (12 km)
Elevation: -2,600 ft (-792 m)
Today, your group will return to the Valley itself by hiking down the Snow Creek trail, which descends 2,600 feet (792 m) into the Valley below. Once on the Valley floor, you will hike out besides Mirror Lake (at the base of Half Dome) for another 2 miles. Ending time is usually between 11 am and 1 pm back in Curry Village. Say goodbye to your guide, fellow backpackers and to Yosemite—or continue touring on your own!
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Hiking: 4.8 miles (7.7 km)
Elevation: -2,750 ft (838 m)
Included:
Not included:
The best thing about these Yosemite guided backpacking trips is that they are open for beginner backpackers! However, even though no prior backpacking experience is necessary, you should be someone who regularly hikes (preferably engaging in shorter hikes a few times a month) and generally be a physically active person.
During both adventures, all participants should be able to carry a 30-50lb backpack. Temperatures can get very high in the summer nights and it can also get pretty cold during the nights (due to high elevations). Your guides will always be by your side during hikes and will notice if it gets too strenuous for anyone in the group, making frequent breaks. They will also teach you all the necessary skills you need for backpacking.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, trekking poles, camp pillows, bowls, mugs and sporks are all included in the price of the trip. However, feel free to bring any of these items if you have your own. Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. Make sure to keep an eye on the weather forecast and adjust your packing list accordingly. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans. A comprehensive equipment list will be made available upon booking.
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All dates listed for these itineraries remain tentative until your guides confirm trailhead permits, usually 22-23 weeks in advance. Although their success rate is high, should they not gain the exact dates through permitting, you will be contacted and offered choices including new dates and/or different itineraries. Should no alternative work, a full cancellation/refund will be granted.
Please refrain from making travel arrangements (that are unchangeable) until dates/permits are confirmed.
You can expect excellent backcountry cuisine throughout your guided Yosemite backpacking tour! Typical breakfasts might include burritos, oatmeals, pancakes, dried fruit, bagels, etc. For dinner, your guides will prepare a variety of pastas, risottos, beans, couscous, meats, vegetables, etc. Lunch will consist of trail food with fruits, vegetables, pita, bagels, salami, cheeses, hummus, trail mix, energy bars, etc. All special dietary requests (vegan, keto, gluten-free, vegetarian—you name it) can be easily accommodated, just let your guides know in advance!
Group sizes and prices:
Backpacking in the Yosemite National Park can be arranged for larger or for private groups (with a custom date). Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Yosemite, most people fly into Sacramento International Airport which is around three hours away from the park or the Fresno/Yosemite International Airport which is also three hours away. Another option is flying into the San Francisco International Airport, just over four hours away from the park. From here, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service.
You will meet your guide in Curry Village at 4pm on Day 1, which means you can travel to the park on the same day. If arriving the day before, we suggest finding accommodation in Curry Village, Yosemite Village, Foresta, or El Portal.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors 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.