Guided Backpacking Trips

The best training for hiking is… hiking! So, get outside and enjoy some local trails (preferably with elevation gain and loss). Also, think about striking a balance between cardio and strength training. Cycling, running, and swimming are fantastic. Gym workouts focusing on your leg muscles are great, as is training on stadium bleachers for those in flat areas. Daily stretching with Pilates or Yoga is also wonderful training when used in conjunction with the above. Our trips have a range of challenge levels, so you’ll want to develop a training plan that best suits the nature of your trip. Our office is happy to provide training tips and recommendations specific to your trip!

SYMG is happy to outfit you with the following high-quality gear free of charge at your request:

• Backpack (Deuter)
• Sleeping Bag (Mountain Hardwear, Marmot, Kelty, etc.)
• Sleeping Pad (Thermarest)
• Tent (Mountain Hardwear, Marmot, Kelty, etc.)
• Trekking Poles (Leki)

If you prefer to bring your own backpack, tent, sleeping bag and pad, you are welcome to for fit and familiarity. SYMG will also provide all group gear needed for multi-day departures including:

• Water Filters
• Stoves
• Cookware
• Group Shelter
• Emergency GPS device
• Group Bathroom Kit (trowel & toilet paper)
• Bear Cans (backpacking) or Bear Proof Panniers (Horsepacking)
• Camp Stools (Horsepacking only)

When you register for one of our trips, we will send you a full pre-trip package that includes a gear and clothing list specific to your trip.

During the summer months, average temperatures in the backcountry (7,000-10,000’) range between 65-75°F during the day and 30-40°F at night. Multi-day storm systems are rare, however, rain or snow showers can happen any afternoon in the summer, so it is important to bring proper rain gear.  Each part of the season has different historical characteristics. Here’s a link to our favorite and most accurate high elevation forecast: NOAA Yosemite High Country Weather. For day trips in and around Yosemite Valley (4,000’), you can expect warmer temperatures (averaging mid 70s- high 80s°F and lows of 40-50°F) Yosemite Valley Weather.

We take pride in our efforts as a full-service outfitter. As our guest, you are only responsible for setting up and taking down your tent, packing your personal gear, and filtering your water. Of course, our guides are always available to assist. Other camp chores such as cooking, cleaning, hauling water, packing up/down of camp, etc are left to the guides, leaving you to relax and enjoy the backcountry.

On the trail, each group has its own dynamic and pace. Every group has folks who are faster, and folks who are slower. The guides excel at pacing the group appropriately, taking into account the ability of all participants. Typically, the group behaves sort of like an accordion. That is, there’s room to spread out and get into your own hiking groove. The guide, who is always in the lead (and another guide in the back on fuller trips), will periodically bring the group back together at trail intersections, lunchtime, tricky spots, or at points of interest.

The High Sierra lakes and streams we travel in are notable for the fishing opportunities! High Sierra Lakes hold fish in the 6-15′ range typically.  Brook (mostly) and Rainbow Trout are commonly caught but its also possible to catch German Brown and Golden Trout depending on your location. We typically recommend the practice of catch and release. If keeping fish, we recommend keeping fish over 12′ and the Brooks only. You’ll be responsible for cleaning your own fish and will need to discuss with your guide a plan for cooking and eating them. Each person will also need a CA Dept of fish and game fishing license which you can pre-purchase online.

As far as fly fishing gear. We recommend bringing a 3-7 piece, 4-6 weight rod for the lakes and streams of the Sierra. Hard cases for pack trips mandatory. Recommended fly patterns are:

• Dry:  Elk Hair Caddis, size 14, 16, 18.  Adams, size 16, 18, 20. Royal Wulffs and Royal Coachmans, size 14, 16, 18. Stimulators, sz 10-12-14
• Nymphs:  Hare’s Ear, size 14, 16.  Pheasant Tail, size 16, 18, Wooley Buggers sz 8-12, Stone Flies sz. 8-12, Princes sz 10-12-14
• In Fall add terrestrials: Ants, hoppers, beetles
• 4x-6x tippets

If you use spinning rods, telescoping are best for packing. Small (1-2 lbs test is best). Lures should be barbless and single if possible, although treble hooks aren’t mandatory. 

• Recommended lures are: Small Mepps, Rooster Tales, etc. Mepps Trouter Kit Plain: Little Wolf Silver, #1 Thunder Bug May Fly-Gold, #0 Agilia Long Silver, #1 Black Fury Fourescent, #1 XD Silver Body/Silver Blade, #1 Agilia Gold Undressed