High Sierra Loop
Guided Backpacking Trips
4 Days, 3 Nights 26MI / 42KM
Trip Highlights
This quintessential Yosemite trek takes us high into the backcountry of the famed Cathedral Range through narrow canyons, stunning alpine meadows and crystal clear mountain lakes. The High Sierra Loop is an adventure into some of the prettiest country in the entire Sierra Nevada Range and highlights the best of Yosemite’s high country in just four days!
We will begin our hike from historic Tuolumne Meadows along the John Muir and Pacific Crest Trails as they parallel the Tuolumne River through stunning Lyell Canyon. As we climb higher into the mountains, panoramic views of the Cathedral Range are the talk of the day. Mountain lakes appear around every corner as we trek across the granite slopes of John Muir’s High Sierra. Our camps on this trek at Vogelsang and Emeric Lakes are in expansive high altitude meadows and are absolutely beautiful places to read a book, photograph the magnificent scenery, or explore the wide open granite-filled landscape!
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Expansive High Country
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John Muir Trail
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Pristine Rivers & Lakes
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Potential to See Wildlife
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Alpine Peaks & Passes
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Rejuvenating Solitude
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
4 Days, 3 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
6-9 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 is follows well maintained trails. Some concerns include loose dirt, large stepping stones and tree roots. Day 1 is a challenging climb out of Lyell Canyon to Vogelsang High Sierra Camp on a well maintained trail with little to no heights exposure.
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
Hiking Mileage: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 420 feet
Elevation Loss: 230 feet
Our hike begins in Yosemite’s world-renowned Tuolumne Meadows, among soaring granite domes, jagged mountain peaks, and lush fields of wildflowers, high in the heart of Yosemite’s “Range of Light.” From our trailhead, we follow the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River into wide Lyell Canyon as the river meanders its way through wide meadows and cascades over glacially smoothed granite shelves. Mammoth Peak and the Kuna Crest dominate the horizon to the east and the lower wooded slopes of the serrated Cathedral Range are closer by to our west. We will take it slow today to acclimate to the thin High Sierra air and hike approximately six miles to the junction with Ireland Creek, a mere 200 feet higher than our trailhead. Here we will make our camp among the gnarled lodgepole pines along the banks of the Tuolumne and enjoy an incredible meal as the brilliant summer constellations and the Milky Way slowly appear above us.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2120 feet
Elevation Loss: 680 feet
After an early wake up call, we eat a hearty breakfast as we prepare for our hike up beautiful Ireland Creek into the high peaks along the crest of the magnificent Cathedral Range, one of Yosemite’s most celebrated regions. But, first, we must tackle what could be the most difficult part of our adventure as the trail ascends 2000 feet to the high point of our trip at 10,850 feet in just three miles. After catching our breaths, we descend to an idyllic spot alongside Evelyn Lake and enjoy a filling, well-earned lunch as we enjoy the beauty of the surrounding peaks: Johnson, Rafferty, Fletcher and Parsons, all above 11,000 feet! Our camp tonight will be near Vogelsang High Sierra Camp and Fletcher Lake. There, we will enjoy truly spectacular views, and settle in for a great dinner.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: Varies
Elevation Gain: Varies
Elevation Loss: Varies
Today is a layover day. We will spend the morning around camp, swimming in the lake, or, perhaps, take a short hike up to Vogelsang Pass, and if we feel particularly energetic, we can try a summit attempt on Vogelsang Peak at 11,516 ft. After lunch, we can head to the absolutely stunning, Emeric Lake or we can relax around camp until supper time. Our appetites stimulated by the high alpine air, we will enjoy our last dinner in the high country as the alpenglow slowly bathes the mountain vastness in ever-deepening shades of pink, purple and rose.
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 7.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 240 feet
Elevation Loss: 1530 feet
After a steaming cup of coffee and a hot breakfast we will make an early start for the 7 mile trek back to Tuolumne Meadows. We follow Rafferty Creek, an absolutely beautiful stream, as it rushes through wide-open meadows until it’s junction with the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne in a thick lodgepole forest. And after just a short, level 1.1 mile hike, we exit our adventure back at the Tuolumne Meadows trailhead. With congratulations all around, we can celebrate our successful High Sierra Loop trip and plan next year’s adventure with the Wildland Trekking Company!
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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Transportation logistics to the trailhead and back
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All meals are included from breakfast 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
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National park entrance fee
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
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
Delicious Backcountry Cuisine
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?
You will meet your guide at 5:00 pm the evening before your trip at the Best Western Way Station in Mariposa for a pre-trip orientation.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Mariposa
You’ll meet your hiking guide and group in Mariposa, CA at 5:00 pm the day before your trip starts.
Most guests choose to drive their own vehicle or rent one. There are some public transportation options as well.
Yosemite Area Rapid Transit (YARTS)
Amtrak California
Pre and Post Trip On Request Lodging
We secure limited amounts of pre and post trip lodging in Mariposa, CA as an optional add-on for guests of this trip. This lodging is on request, and is available on a first come, first serve basis. If interested, please reach out directly to our team to check availability.
Start/End Times
We will pick you up at 6:00 am the morning of Day 1 at the Best Western Way Station in Mariposa for transportation to the trailhead.
We will be back to Mariposa around 5:00 pm. 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.
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
Reviews
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Eric C
17 days agoEscape from everyday life
My Yosemite trip with Wildland Trekking was amazing. Our guide, Ian, was highly experienced, knowledgeable, and somehow able to make amazing meals in the backcountry. The small group, beautiful campsites, challenging hikes, and evenings talking under the stars made the trip feel like a real escape from everyday life. I came home with some amazing memories and photos, and I’d absolutely recommend Wildland Trekking to anyone interested in experiencing Yosemite beyond the usual tourist areas.
Robert S
2 months agoFirst Class
WLT’s planning, organization, pacing, and sequencing was first-class on the High Sierra Loop. And our guide, Morgan, was such a positive source of energy for all of us. I can’t imagining enjoying the trip nearly as much w/out her. Beautiful itinerary. Amazing food. A splendid five days.
Daniel F
12 months agoBest trip of my life
"Guys, this was literally the best trip of my life. Being originally from Europe and used to the alps, it was an amazing experience. I cannot recommend this enough. Worth every Euro/Dollar spent :)"
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