Heart of Yosemite Backpack
Yosemite Valley, CA
4.8 (5 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Point to Point Hike
- Tuolumne Meadows
- Remote Subalpine Lakes
- Iconic Views
- Famous Waterfalls
- Moderate Off-trail Hiking
- Guides Choice Trip
Description
This dramatic and varied itinerary takes guests through the heart of Yosemite’s wilderness and has some of everything Yosemite has to offer. Our point to point hike begins in Tuolumne Meadows and ends in Yosemite Valley, and features a range of terrain from off-trail hiking to maintained trails. The scenery changes constantly and the crowds vanish as we descend from the high country down Yosemite’s most famous river and its tributaries. We will cut a path straight through the heart of the Park as we hike over high mountain passes and through deep river canyons, past alpine lakes, flower-filled mountain meadows, signature granite domes and roaring waterfalls. This is an adventure to remember, and yet has a moderate difficulty rating, making it a fantastic option for a wider range of fitness levels than our Level 4 and 5 hikes.
$1760 Per Person
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 3
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trek is off trail for the first two days, which makes for moderately rugged hiking. After that it follows well maintained trails and includes a Day 4 hike of almost 9 miles with a descent of 2400 feet, which is the most difficult day of the trip.
Hiking Distances:

5-9 mi
Backpack Weight:

35-45 lbs
Terrain:

Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:

1770 ft
Heights Exposure:

Light
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 35-45 lb backpack for 6-8 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain, including two days of off trail hiking
- Hiking with occasional, light heights exposure
SOLITUDE LEVEL 3
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Yosemite backpacking trip a solitude 3. The first two days have exceptional solitude due to being off trail, and the final two days of the trip are on more popular trails that lead us down 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.
Most of our 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:Â Yosemite Area Rapid Transit (YARTS)Â is offering 4 bus rides 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).
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.Â
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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