Yosemite Classic Summits: Nelson Lake Entry
Guided Backpacking Trips
5 Days, 4 Nights 26MI / 42KM
Trip Highlights
This unforgettable backpacking adventure begins in the high country near Tuolumne Meadows and ends in Yosemite Valley, showcasing the wonders that make Yosemite one of the world’s most famous national parks. Highlights of this trip include moderate, off-trail hiking in gorgeous subalpine valleys; majestic alpine streams and lakes; a summit of one of Yosemite’s most famous peaks, Clouds Rest; lush meadows, wildflowers and wildlife; and the thundering waterfalls and granite domes of Yosemite Valley. Join us for an adventure you’ll never forget and experience the wonders of Yosemite, from its high country to Yosemite Valley!
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Dramatic Waterfalls
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Clouds Rest Summit
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Out of This World Views
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Amazing Glacial History
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Point-to-Point Hike
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Stunning Campsites
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Mountain Creeks & Lakes
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
5 Days, 4 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 8 Miles -
Group Size
1-10 Guests
Receive a PDF info packet via email which includes:
- 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 is along well maintained trails. Some concerns include loose dirt, large stepping stones and tree roots. There are 3,000ft vertical drops on the top of Vernal and Nevada falls. These are protected by railings and can be avoided if guests are afraid of heights.Half Dome cables are extremely dangerous if not climbed properly. There is at least 1,000 ft of exposure on both sides. Only protection is the steel cable system. Guides will demonstrate how to safely go up/down the cable system.Granite is slippery when wet, Half Dome cables WILL NOT be attempted if there is any moisture, rain or a forecast of rain.
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 hiking adventure 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
Shuttle to Trailhead: 2 hours
Hiking Distance: 5.2 miles
Elevation Gain : 1760 feet
Elevation Loss: 800 feet
Today we will pack up our camp and head toward Tuolumne Meadows where we will start our hike on a lesser known, cross country trail. Our hike takes us toward a stunning alpine lake, Elizabeth Lake. We will take a quick break at the lake and admire the views of Unicorn Peak and Cockscomb Peak. Continuing on our “off trail” route we will climb up over a small ridgeline and descend down into the Nelson Lake Basin where we will make camp for the night.
Day 3
Hiking Distance: 5.6 miles
Elevation Gain : 1420 feet
Elevation Loss: 1590 feet
After a delicious breakfast prepared by your guide, we will hit the trail due west to merge with the iconic John Muir Trail. We will pass gorgeous Matthes Lake along the way and cross over Cathedral Creek before steadily climbing into the Sunrise Lakes area where we will set up another backcountry camp for the evening. Sunrise Lakes is a subalpine paradise surrounded by the glacial-polished, shimmering granite cliffs and mountains that give the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range its famous moniker, “Range of Light.”
Day 4
Hiking Distance: 7.75 miles
Elevation Gain: 1400 feet
Elevation Loss: 3640 feet
Today we will rise early for an alpine start to summit Clouds Rest. A steady, but not too strenuous climb of 1000 feet in a little over 2 miles brings us to the summit at 9926 feet above sea level. The summit of this Classic Yosemite Peak provides outstanding 360 degree views of the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains. One can see many of Yosemite’s most famous features including: the Quarter Domes, Mount Hoffmann, Vogelsang Peak, and the Cathedral Range. Looking straight down you can see Tenaya Creek, 5000 feet below! The trek down from Clouds Rest is a steep winding descent to Sunrise Creek; along the way stunning views of Half Dome with El Capitan in the distance are framed by massive ancient junipers. An elevation loss of about 3600 vertical feet takes us to our forested campsite along the banks of bubbling Sunrise Creek. We’ll settle in and enjoy a final, celebratory feast to commemorate our last night in the backcountry.
Day 5
Hiking Distance: 6.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 875 feet
Elevation Loss: 3915 feet
The final day’s hike begins with a descent to famous Little Yosemite Valley, then follows one of Yosemite’s most magnificent routes: the Mist Trail. Paralleling the Merced River as it makes its way down a glacially carved canyon, the Mist Trail passes the Silver Apron, Emerald Pool and Nevada Fall before descending through the highlight of the trail and its namesake: the soaking mists of Vernal Fall. Rain gear is a good idea as rainbows appear and disappear among the wind-blown sheets of spray as we descend the steep rocky steps to a bridge over the Merced River. A mile further, we can soak our tired feet in the cold waters of the Merced to celebrate the ending point of our amazing trek through Yosemite.
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 cannisters 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)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
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