Yosemite Alpine Meadows and Waterfalls
Guided Backpacking Trips
4 Days, 3 Nights 23MI / 37KM
Trip Highlights
Our Yosemite Alpine Meadows and Waterfalls trip is a fantastic choice for families or guests who want a great, shorter, moderate Yosemite adventure in a highly scenic area of the Park.
This trip provides a lot of return on investment. In just 4 days with wonderful hiking we’ll explore arguably the most pristine and majestic region of Yosemite National Park – Tuolumne Meadows and the upper section of the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River. We leave the crowds behind on this trip and venture into a land of granite domes, meandering rivers, thundering waterfalls, swimming holes, peaceful meadows, and serene wildlife. On Day 2 we have the option to leave camp set up and day hike into one of the most stunning canyons in the world with multiple, breathtaking waterfalls.
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Stunning High Country
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Waterfalls
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Beautiful Views
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Cascades, Rivers, Lakes & Domes
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Moderate Hiking
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Great for Families
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
4 Days, 3 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
6-7 mi -
Group Size
1-10 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip follows well maintained trails. Some concerns include loose dirt, large stepping stones and tree roots. Day 3 is a moderate in/out hike into the Grand Canyon of Tuolumne. It is a 1700ft loss/gain on a well maintained trail along the stunning Tuolumne river.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
This Yosemite hike begins with rendezvous in Yosemite Valley in the parking lot of Curry Village near the bear boxes at shuttle stop 14 at 6PM on Day 1. You will easily spot your guide waiting for you in a Wildland Trekking hat. We’ll conduct an orientation meeting, after which we’ll get settled in the Backpackers Camp a stone’s throw away from majestic Tenaya Creek and under the spectacular domes and cliffs of Yosemite Valley. We’ll enjoy dinner either at Curry Village or in camp.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 300 feet
Elevation Loss: 1000 feet
We enjoy a quick breakfast in Yosemite Valley and make sure all loose ends are taken care of before we head up to our trailhead in Tuolumne Meadows, the largest and most beautiful sub-alpine meadow in the Sierra. Here, after soaking in the incredible panoramic views of the High Sierra, we begin our adventure. Taking advantage of our high elevation trailhead, today’s hike is mainly level following along the Tuolumne River as it meanders through the meadows. We’ll stop for lunch along the river and enjoy a fantastic view of the jagged Cathedral Range reflected in its calm waters as fluffy cumulus clouds accentuate the impossibly deep blue of the Sierra sky.
After lunch the trail steepens and we pass numerous cascades as we approach our camp, which has treated water, bear boxes and solar outhouses. It is also a 10 minute walk from a beautiful cascade and swimming hole, making it a phenomenal high country home for two amazing nights.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1700 feet
Elevation Loss: 1700 feet
Our hike explores the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, one of Yosemite’s most scenic areas. We’ll head down river to visit three of Yosemite’s most photogenic waterfalls. Our trail begins by descending into the idyllic, original site of the Glen Aulin camp along a flat area below spectacular Wildcat Point, an amazing expanse of granite. We reach California Falls just past the end of Glen Aulin. Farther on, the path becomes rougher and more precipitous as it follows the increasingly steeper Tuolumne River until we reach the second waterfalls, Le Conte Falls, one mile beyond. Another mile leads us to the most spectacular and largest of the three, Waterwheel Falls, with its namesake waterwheel shooting a spout of water into the sky. Here we enjoy our picnic lunch before retracing our path back to our campsite where we can enjoy a late afternoon dip in the Tuolumne or just relax with a good book.
Please Note: private groups and families will sometimes choose to enjoy a shorter hike and return to camp early to swim and play in the Tuolumne River. Guests on scheduled trips can always choose to stay in camp vs. hike to Waterwheel Falls.
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1000 feet
Elevation Loss: 300 feet
We’ll sleep in this morning and have a relaxing breakfast, as today’s hike takes us back the way we came on Day 2 to our trailhead. After enjoying a picnic lunch on the way out, or a short drive away on the shores of Tenaya Lake, one of Yosemite’s most beautiful bodies of water, we’ll make our way back to Yosemite Valley. As we take a last look at the shimmering granite peaks surrounding us, we’ll already be planning our next trip to this incomparable “Range of Light.”
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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What's Included
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Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
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High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
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Use of trekking poles
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All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 through lunch on the last day
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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National park backcountry camping permits
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Bear canisters for food storage
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
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Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Yosemite
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear and footwear -
National park entrance fee
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Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
BACKCOUNTRY SLEEPING
TENT CAMPING
Sleeping on backpacking trips is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
BACKCOUNTRY CUISINE
FRESH & DELICIOUS
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
AMAZING CAMPSITES
IN THE ACTION
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
This trip meets in Yosemite Valley in the parking lot of Curry Village near the bear boxes at shuttle stop 14 at 6PM on Day 1. Your guide will contact you approximately 10 days before your trip to coordinate this rendezvous and answer any last minute questions you have. Your guide will be waiting for you in a Wildland Trekking hat and shirt. This trip includes dinner and camping that night at the backpackers camp. Personal vehicles can remain parked at Curry Village during your trip.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Yosemite Valley
TRAVEL TO YOSEMITE VALLEY BACKPACKERS CAMP
This trip meets in Yosemite Valley in the parking lot of Curry Village near the bear boxes at shuttle stop 14 at 6PM on Day 1. Your guide will contact you approximately 10 days before your trip to coordinate this rendezvous and answer any last minute questions you have. Your guide will be waiting for you in a Wildland Trekking hat and shirt. This trip includes dinner and camping that night at the backpackers camp. Personal vehicles can remain parked at Curry Village during your trip.
Many Wildland guests rent vehicles or drive their own to Yosemite Valley. However, you can also travel to and from Yosemite National Park using train and bus options from much of California:
From Fresno: Yosemite Area Rapid Transit (YARTS) is offering 1 bus ride each direction from Fresno to Yosemite Valley. To reach the Yosemite Valley Backpackers Camp get off at Curry Village and either walk or take a national park shuttle to North Pines Campground. Walk to the back of the campground and across the footbridge to the camp.
From Other California Cities: by rail on the Amtrak San Joaquin Train to the city of Merced (serviced by most large cities in California) or by Amtrak “Thruway” Bus Service from Merced to Yosemite Valley. To book your trip, use Amtrak’s Online Reservation Service to book round-trip Amtrak travel to “YOS” (Yosemite Valley).
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s rendezvous time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 5 and 8 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will be out of the backcountry normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time) on the final day.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 10 and older to join private tours, with final approval on a case by case basis
- specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Reviews
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Jordan M
2 years agoTrip was Magical
The trip was transformative from start to finish. Austin was absolutely fantastic. He was patient, kind, wise and wonderful. He cultivated such a wonderful community for us all to be ourselves, even if we wanted to do different things and walk at different speeds. He masterfully held the group together and made sure everyone felt included and important. Plus- his meals were absolutely delicious! Having so many different food and dietary preferences- he outdid himself. We fondly named him our “Forest Shaman” because he became that and helped each of us go on whatever journey we needed to, knowing that we were supported and celebrated. He is a gift and if we ever do another trip, we’ll def be requesting him. Thank you for everything…this trip was magical from start to finish and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Ruby S
2 years agoWonderful Experience
A fantastic experience - thank you Austin!
Michelle M
3 years agoAmazing
Wildland Trekking is by far the best backpacking company I have experienced. Yosemite was a bit daunting and my guide Eric made it do-able for me. He made me feel safe and cared for.
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