Yosemite Valley Hiking Weekend

Meet your guide and group at the Pines Campground (4,100’) at 5pm (two weeks before the trip we will confirm the exact site number as part of your final bulletin). After a short trip orientation, your guides will prepare a hearty dinner and campfire, and a walk out to the Merced River is possible if there is interest.

After a hearty campground breakfast we will set off on an exhilarating morning hike along the famous Mist Trail to visit Vernal, Nevada, & Illilouette Falls. The trail lives up to its name and you’ll surely want to bring your rainjacket along! After lunch along the Merced River, we’ll make our way back to Yosemite Valley. In the afternoon your guide will tour you around the eastern end of Yosemite Valley, weaving tales of Yosemite pioneers, Miwok Indians, geology, and local wildlife. We’ll top off our day with a grand vista of the iconic Half Dome for sunset. Bring your camera! Expect a 6-9 mile day on moderate-easy terrain with up to 1,700’ of elevation gain and loss.

We’ll start out of camp early today and shuttle ourselves up to the famous lookout at Glacier Point, looming high above Yosemite Valley. From this vantage, we’ll peer down into the valley 2,700 feet below and have panoramic views that include Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and the Clark Range. Here it’s easy to see why Yosemite is famously known as “The Incomparable Valley”. After some time for pictures and contemplation, we’ll lace up our boots and set out to the South Rim of Yosemite Valley. We can visit Taft Point, perched out over the valley with unique views of the famous El Capitan. We can continue on to the summit of Sentinel Dome, with 360-degree views of the Sierra High Country and great views of the powerful Yosemite Falls, North America’s Highest Waterfall. Expect 5-7 miles of easy-moderate hiking with several hundred feet of elevation gain and loss.

Today, we’ll turn our sights to the western end of Yosemite Valley, beginning with a stop at the towering Yosemite Falls. At 2,425’, this is the tallest waterfall in North America and 7th tallest in the world. From there, we’ll get up close and personal with the massive El Capitan. From the meadow we’ll talk about geology and rock climbing, and you’ll have the chance to spot rock climbers high up on the face. It takes the average party 3.5 days of living on the wall to climb it bottom to top! Leaving the meadow, we’ll hike to the base of El Cap. Putting your hands on the smooth granite and staring up 3,000ft to the top really puts Yosemite into perspective. And what a way to finish your Yosemite trip! We’ll end around 2pm on Sunday in time for you to travel to your next destination. 3 miles of hiking on easy-moderate terrain.