Yosemite Falls and North Dome Traverse: Old Big Oat Flat Entry
Guided Backpacking Trips
4-5 Days, 3-4 Nights 16+MI / 26+KM
Trip Highlights
This Yosemite backpacking trip is a chance to traverse North America’s most iconic cliff, which is famously the setting for the rock climbing film “Free Solo.” You’ll stand on top of two of Yosemite National Park’s most famous features: El Capitan itself and Yosemite Falls (a 2,425 feet tall waterfall.) On the 5-day trip we add North Dome as well! This trip is a full experience of the majesty of Yosemite, and is a great spring, summer and fall trip. We camp next to pristine creeks thousands of feet above the valley floor and soak up world-class views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome and the snow-capped peaks of the high country.
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Stand on El Capitan
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Iconic Views
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Creekside Camps
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2425' High Yosemite Falls
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4 or 5 Day Options
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Natural & Cultural History
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View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
4-5 Days, 3-4 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
4-8 mi -
Group Size
1-5 Guests
Is This Trip Right For me?
This trek is between a Level 3 and 4 difficulty, tending slightly toward 4. It follows well maintained trails and includes a Day 1 hike of 8 miles with an ascent of 3300 feet. This day is the most difficult of the trip. The final day descends over 3000 feet along switchbacks on a well maintained trail.
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 guided Yosemite backpacking trip begins with rendezvous in Yosemite Valley in Curry Village 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: 30 minutes
Hiking Mileage: 8.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 3300 feet
Elevation Loss: 1025 feet
Our hike begins at a quiet trailhead, which is part of an old mining road constructed in the 1860’s. From here, we will climb up toward the northern rim of Yosemite Valley, switchbacking up and gaining jaw-dropping views of the Valley as we ascend. The rim is a very different environment than what we experienced during our hike up. With pristine creeks, smooth granite slabs, meadows and forests, it is tranquil, peaceful setting. The creek we camp near creates a spectacular waterfall off of El Capitan in the springtime, in fact the longest single drop waterfall in North America. We will relax around a hot meal prepared by your guide and turn in for the night, with the sound of the creek purring in the background.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 4.75 miles
Elevation Gain: 680 feet
Elevation Loss: 1300 feet
Today we have a lighter day on the trail as we move from our creekside camp to the summit of El Capitan. We’ll enjoy a big, hot breakfast before breaking camp and beginning our hike. The summit view provides a phenomenal perspective of the south rim of Yosemite Valley, which includes famous features like Half Dome and Clouds Rest as well as the dominating, snow capped Clark Range beyond. We’ll enjoy a delicious picnic lunch overlooking the splendor of Yosemite and then continue on toward our camp near the top of Yosemite Falls. Here we will camp next to the creek, enjoy a sumptuous dinner together and prepare to descend the waterfall in the morning.
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 3.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 350 feet
Elevation Loss: 3150 feet
Today we will pack up camp and – on the 4-day itinerary – descend Yosemite Falls back to the floor of the valley. Our trail follows a series of switchbacks from the very top of the falls to the bottom, with spectacular views gracing our descent the entire way. We’ll stop and enjoy a picnic lunch, and at our finishing trailhead catch a short shuttle back to our starting point. With an abundance of memories – and, for most people, photos – of the jaw-dropping landscapes of Yosemite, we will say our goodbyes and start dreaming about future adventures.
5-Day Variation
The 5-Day variation of this trip includes a full traverse of the North Rim of Yosemite Valley. Highlights include phenomenal, cross-canyon views of Half Dome; a summit of North Dome (7546′); and waterfalls, creeks and lakes. The distances on days 3 and 4 increase on the 5-Day variation. The final day descends 3200 feet over 4.5 miles.
Trip Dates
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 (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
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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 information 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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Patty O
2 years agoGreat Hiking Experience
Our guide was super-knowledgeable about Yosemite, and prepared our group every morning about hiking conditions and what we would see. His meal-planning was exceptional, and included fresh fruits and veggies. Tents, sleeping bags and other equipment was in excellent shape and clean. A great hiking experience.
Lisa B
2 years agoBeautiful trip.
Yosemite is magical and the El Capitan Traverse is a great introduction to the park. Sam is an AMAZING guide and knows so much about this unique park's history. I learned a ton and had a blast. Beautiful trip.
Thokozeni L
2 years agoStrongly Recommend
Our guide was very knowledgeable about the location. He was constantly educating us. His vast experience with hiking and camping made him a stellar guide. He was uniquely interested in increasing the number of people of color who participate in hiking and camping. The guide was an amazing wilderness chef!! The trip was fun and strenuous. The guide expertly and safely pushed us to accomplish more than I thought I could accomplish. I strongly recommend Wildland Trekking and hope to see more people of color out on the trails.
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