Join us on a 4-day hiking adventure in Tuolumne, where we’ll summit 6 majestic peaks, each rising above 10,000 ft / 3,048 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
Included:
Add-ons:
Not included:
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
Personal items:
Clothing:
Optional items:
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
Tuolumne hiking adventures can be arranged for larger groups. 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.
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!