Shuttle: 2 hours
Hiking Mileage: 7 miles

Elevation Gain: 2300 feet

Elevation Loss: 2300 feet

On this Yosemite hiking tour, we’ll meet up early and start our hike to two of Yosemite’s crown jewels, Vernal Falls, and Nevada Falls, along either the John Muir Trail or the Mist Trail, depending on conditions. While many of Yosemite’s hikes are centered on a final destination, this route features stunning views the whole way, from Upper Yosemite Falls across the Valley, to the phenomenal granite heights of Liberty Cap, Grizzly Peak, the Panorama Cliffs, Sentinel Dome, Glacier Point and even Half Dome soaring above our heads.

After we lunch at a picturesque point overlooking the falls, we’ll make our way to the campground. As your guide prepares a sumptuous meal, there is time to is sit around the campfire and watch as the alpenglow turns a brilliant crimson in the sky above.

Shuttle: up to 2 hours

Hiking Mileage: 6.3 miles

Elevation Gain/Loss: 3100 feet

Today we’ll tackle the Upper Yosemite Falls trail and ascend 3800 ft. to the North Rim of Yosemite Valley and the top of the sixth highest waterfall in the world! We begin our hike on the Valley floor at the historic Camp 4, where many of the legendary big wall climbers hung out in the 1950’s and 60’s. The trail ascends sharply from there as we make our way through oak/pine woodland that is prime habitat for bobcats. We soon reach Columbia Rock, with amazing views of Half Dome and the Clark Range across the Valley, before descending a bit to our first dramatic view of Yosemite Falls and the feel of cool mist on our faces. Continuing up a series of switchbacks, we top out on the Valley rim before descending a vertigo inducing stairway to the falls overlook. After a picnic lunch back at the rim we descend to the trailhead and our camp for a well-deserved gourmet dinner around the campfire.

Shuttle: Up to 2 hours

Hiking Mileage: 7 miles

Elevation Gain/Loss: minimal

We’ll give the hills a break today and spend our time exploring the wonders of Yosemite Valley. We will hike the Valley Loop Trail, a mostly flat route past Valley features such as Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls. We will explore Mirror Lake trail then over to the beautiful Ahwahnee, and then on to Yosemite village stopping at the Ansel Adams Gallery, Exploration center, and other historic and education sites. We will then head back to the Valley Loop Trail to see lower Yosemite falls, then walk by Camp 4. Next, we head to El Capitan Meadows and look for climbers before we head back to camp for dinner.