Portered Snow Creek
Yosemite, California
5.0 (10 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Lighter Backpacks
- Shoulder Season Trip
- Thundering Waterfalls
- Iconic Views
- 3000' Ascent of Snow Creek Trail
- Yosemite's Only Arch
- Spectacular Indian Rock
Description
Explore the North Rim of Yosemite Valley in comfort on this three day portered excursion into John Muir’s famous “Range of Light.” Enjoy thundering waterfalls, spectacular views of Yosemite Valley and the high country, potential wildlife, wonderful camps and fantastic hiking! This trip is a great early season adventure for families or anyone who wants to experience the magic of Yosemite National Park without the heavier packs of a backpacking trip. It can also be done as a 4-day or 5-day trip, making it a great addition to a longer visit to California, or a stand-alone trip worth doing on its own.
We ascend the rim that overlooks one of the world’s scenic treasures, Yosemite Valley. It offers a wonderful opportunity to escape the crowds, absorb some of the best views in the Park, sleep under the stars, and check out some of Yosemite’s most amazing waterfalls and peaks. We begin and end in Yosemite Valley, where El Capitan and Half Dome tower over the famous meadows. We’ll tackle the challenging and fulfilling Snow Creek Trail, hike Indian Rock (and Mount Watkins on the 5-day itinerary) while catching expansive views of the entire Yosemite Valley far below us and the incomparable High Sierra all around us! Photo opportunities are plentiful as the trail reveals fantastic views of Half Dome, Clouds Rest, Tenaya Canyon, Mount Watkins, and many more of Yosemite’s scenic wonders.
Please Note: Porters transport all camping gear (tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads…etc.) as well as food. They also set up and break down camp. Guests are responsible for carrying their clothing and personal items.
$1805 Per Person
$2095 Per Person
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 3
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trip is between level 3 and 4. The fist day is a difficult climb up Snow Creek trail (3200 ft in 4 miles) but it is done with light packs due to the portered option. Day 2 is typically a longer mileeage day of 9 miles, again done with light packs. Ultimately, we give this trip a rating of 3 due to the portered nature, light exposure and well maintained trails.
Hiking Distances:

4-9 mi
Backpack Weight:

10-20 lbs
Terrain:

Lightly Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:

3145 ft
Heights Exposure:

Moderate
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 10-20 lb backpack for 6-8 hours (day 1 is uphill entirely for over 3000 feet of elevation gain)
- Maintaining balance and footing on lightly rugged terrain
- Hiking with occasional, moderate heights exposure
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Yosemite hiking trip a solitude 2. You can expect as much as an hour of solitude at a time.
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: Yosemite Area Rapid Transit (YARTS) 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.
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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