Grand Yosemite Traverse
Fresno, CA
Trip Highlights
- Yosemite High Country
- Alpine Lakes
- Thundering Waterfalls
- Mountain Solitude
- Iconic Views
- End in Yosemite Valley
Description
This outstanding trip was recognized by National Geographic as one of the highly esteemed “World’s Top 15 Trails.” Famous outdoor adventure journalist Peter Potterfield also put this route on his list of “25 Classic Hikes in North America.” Covering 38 miles of breathtaking mountain scenery, we hike through the core of Yosemite National Park and enjoy plenty of time in the most remote and most classic areas of the park. Guests rave about this trip, and most frequently mention as their personal highlights: entering the park by hiking over the remote 11,000ft Isberg Pass, which gives us a bird’s eye view into the high country; a stunning section of the John Muir Trail; a beautiful descend of the Merced River; iconic Vernal and Nevada Falls and camping on the shores of an alpine lake. Don’t miss this one – it’s unforgettable!
$110 Single Supplement
The single supplement applies to the first night at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Fresno, CA. The camping portion of the trip includes a 1-person tent for all solo travelers.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 4
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trip features some long daily hiking distances (up to 11 miles) with significant elevation gains and losses for multiple days in a row. Backpack weight is 45+ pounds, and elevations go up to 11,000 feet. All of these details combined make this trip Level 4 difficulty.
Hiking Distances:
4-11 miles
Backpack Weight:
45+ pounds
Terrain:
Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
Up to 2960 feet
Heights Exposure:
Moderate
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 45+ lb backpack for 5-7 hours for multiple days in a row, at elevations of 4,000 – 11,000 feet.
- Maintaining balance and footing on terrain that can be uneven, steep, rocky, snowy, slick or muddy
SOLITUDE LEVEL 3
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this High Sierra backpacking trip a solitude 3. Expect hours of solitude at a time.
PRIVATE TRIPS
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.
PRIVATE RATES FOR THIS TRIP
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 1.75
- 4 People: Rate x 1.25
- 5+ People: Rate x 1.15
*all rates are per person
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ITINERARY
Day 1
- Shuttle to Trailhead: 3 hours
- Hiking Distance: 6 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1800 feet
- Elevation Loss: 300 feet
We’ll pick you up early at the Fairfield Inn and Suites in Fresno and begin our journey north. The scenic drive is about 3 hours and takes us to a remote starting point for this amazing hike. Today’s hike takes us higher in to the Sierra Nevada mountains, where the views expand with every step we take. Our first night’s camp is at a gorgeous meadow. We’ll set up camp and settle in for our first night under the stars. Your guide(s) will prepare a delicious dinner, and you’ll have an opportunity to explore and stargaze before retiring for the night.
Day 2
- Hiking Distance: 8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2300 feet
- Elevation Loss: 800 feet
This morning we’ll enjoy a hot breakfast, break camp and hit the trail. Our hike takes us through an alpine basin full of crystal clear lakes mirroring the high peaks with their glassy waters. Then we’ll climb up to the high point of our trip, which is also one of the most dramatic ways to cross into Yosemite National Park: Isberg Pass, which sits at a towering elevation of 11,100 feet! Now inside the Park, we’ll continue on to our majestic camp near a subalpine lake and the headwaters of Yosemite’ most famous river: The Merced. Our camp is framed by several 11,000 to 12,000 foot peaks.
Day 3
- Hiking Distance: 11 miles
- Elevation Gain: 180 feet
- Elevation Loss: 2960 feet
Today we enjoy a mostly downhill trek along high the Merced River, which grows in size as we descend. The scenery today is absolutely gorgeous as we drop out of the alpine and into the deeper valleys and river canyons that lead to Yosemite Valley. We will set up camp on the shores of beautiful Merced Lake.
Day 4
- Hiking Distance: 8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 320 feet
- Elevation Loss: 1450 feet
Today we descend along the the Merced River and revel at its crystal clear waters, plunging pools and polished granite slabs. The impressive domes of Mount Broderick and the Liberty Cap dominate the northern skyline as the view west encompasses 6222 foot Grizzly Peak, the Panorama Cliffs, and Glacier Point across the canyon. After setting up camp, we can relax by swimming at “the beach” or just hanging around camp enjoying the pine-scented air. We will celebrate our final night in the backcountry with a delicious backcountry dinner.
Day 5
- Hiking Mileage: 4.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 500 feet
- Elevation Loss: 2650 ft
- Shuttle: 2.5 hours
Our trek from Little Yosemite Valley to the Happy Isles trailhead continues yesterday’s journey along the Merced River, where we’ll soak up views of towering granite domes and sheer cliffs. Today’s hike takes us past two of Yosemite Valley’s most dramatic waterfalls: Nevada and Vernal Falls. Rain gear may be a good idea as the trail descends a series of stair steps directly in the path of the thunderous spray of Vernal Fall! Our hike ends on the banks of the cascading Merced River in the east end of Yosemite Valley. We will meet our shuttle driver and enjoy a relaxing drive back to Fresno for the conclusion of our adventure. What a week it’s been!
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.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
- High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use) – or bring your own.
- Use of trekking poles
- All meals are included from breakfast on Day 2 through lunch on the final day
- 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.
- Transportation originating and ending in Fresno, CA
- Bear cannisters for food storage
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
What's Not Included
- Clothes, raingear and footwear (see recommendations)
- Dinner on Day 1, snacks/drinks at Red Meadows and Tuolumne
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Meals: What to Expect
All of our hiking and backpacking tours include a diversity of tasty meals packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins and fats. We carry foods that travel well in the backcountry – rice, pastas, lentils, beans, couscous, packaged meats, nuts, breads, oatmeal, granola, and more.
For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables (fresh and dried). In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Sierra Designs, Kelty or Big Agnes tents
- Sierra Designs, Big Agnes and Mountain Hardware synthetic-fill sleeping bags (or bring your own)
- Thermarest or Big Agnes sleeping pads
- Leki trekking poles
- Cooking stoves and cookware
- Bear cannisters
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
Guest Packing List
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.
Additionally, some guests choose to bring their own sleeping bag. We supply high quality, synthetic fill bags that are professionally laundered after every trip. Synthetic fill is non-allergenic, insulates when damp and stands up well to repeated washings, but is heavier and bulkier than down. If you’re able to bring your own down sleeping bag, there are multiple benefits. If not, we’ve got you covered!
Trip Logistics
How Do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
Where Do We Meet?
This trip meets in Fresno, CA at 6:00 pm the evening before the trip begins for a pre-trip orientation meeting. The meeting location is the Fairfield Inn and Suites Hotel near the Fresno International Airport. Your guide will be in contact approximately 10 days prior to coordinate the rendezvous.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Fresno, CA
Fresno International Airport is a convenient airport to fly into, and the starting and ending point of the trip (Fairfield Inn and Suites) is located across the street from the airport. Please arrive in Fresno well before 6:00 PM and don’t plan any departing flights on the final day before 7:00 PM.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the Day 1 pick-up time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 5 and 7 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will be back into Fresno normally around 4 PM on the final day (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time.)
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.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”) have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.
Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the EEC and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.
The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.
Guide Shifts
High Sierra guides work daily shifts from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. During off hours (9 p.m. to 5 a.m.) the guides’ time is their own, and they are free to sleep, rest, take personal time, postpone guest requests until the next morning, and any other legal, reasonable activity people engage in when not working. We ask all guests to respect the guides’ off-duty hours by not waking or asking anything of them unless there is a true emergency. Also, state law requires that employees receive an uninterrupted 10 minute break every four working hours, so guides are required to take four 10 minute breaks between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.
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
Weather in the Sierras
Being a high mountain environment, the Sierra Nevada Mountains are prone to sudden temperature and weather shifts. This is an exciting aspect of being in the mountains. On trips in June, snow is a possibility, and the rest of the summer rain is always a possibility on your trip. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet when you register). See below for average summer temperatures:
| Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit) | ||||||
|
Month
|
Valleys
|
Alpine
|
||||
|
hi
|
low
|
hi
|
low
|
|||
|
January
|
49°
|
26°
|
45°
|
25°
|
||
|
February
|
55°
|
28°
|
46°
|
26°
|
||
|
March
|
59°
|
31°
|
48°
|
27°
|
||
|
April
|
65°
|
35°
|
54°
|
30°
|
||
|
May
|
73°
|
42°
|
62°
|
37°
|
||
|
June
|
81°
|
51°
|
71°
|
46°
|
||
|
July
|
89°
|
57°
|
77°
|
50°
|
||
|
August
|
89°
|
56°
|
81°
|
53°
|
||
|
September
|
82°
|
51°
|
71°
|
46°
|
||
|
October
|
74°
|
39°
|
62°
|
37°
|
||
|
November
|
58°
|
31°
|
51°
|
29°
|
||
|
December
|
48°
|
26°
|
46°
|
25°
|
||
Accommodations
Backcountry Sleeping
4 Nights TENT CAMPING
Sleeping on llama treks 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 trekking 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.
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