Yosemite Alpine Meadows and Waterfalls
Guided Backpacking Trips
4 Days, 3 Nights 20 MI / 32KM
Trip Highlights
Our Yosemite Alpine Meadows and Waterfalls trip is a fantastic choice for families or guests who want a great, shorter, moderate Yosemite adventure in a highly scenic area of the Park.
This trip provides a lot of return on investment. In just 4 days with wonderful hiking we’ll explore arguably the most pristine and majestic region of Yosemite National Park – Tuolumne Meadows and the upper section of the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River. We leave the crowds behind on this trip and venture into a land of granite domes, meandering rivers, thundering waterfalls, swimming holes, peaceful meadows, and serene wildlife. On Day 2 we have the option to leave camp set up and day hike into one of the most stunning canyons in the world with multiple, breathtaking waterfalls.
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Stunning High Country
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Waterfalls
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Beautiful Views
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Cascades, Rivers, Lakes & Domes
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Moderate Hiking
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Great for Families
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View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
4 Days, 3 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
6-7 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 follows well maintained trails. Some concerns include loose dirt, large stepping stones and tree roots. Day 2 we hike The Grand Canyon of Tuolumne, it is a 1700ft loss/gain on a well-maintained trail along the stunning Tuolumne River.
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
Drive Time: 2.5 hrs
Hiking Mileage: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 300 feet
Elevation Loss: 1000 feet
We enjoy a quick breakfast on the road as head up to our trailhead in Tuolumne Meadows, the largest and most beautiful sub-alpine meadow in the Sierra. Here, after soaking in the incredible panoramic views of the High Sierra, we begin our adventure. Taking advantage of our high elevation trailhead, today’s hike is mainly level following along the Tuolumne River as it meanders through the meadows. We’ll stop for lunch along the river and enjoy a fantastic view of the jagged Cathedral Range reflected in its calm waters as fluffy cumulus clouds accentuate the impossibly deep blue of the Sierra sky.
After lunch the trail steepens and we pass numerous cascades as we approach our camp, which has treated water, bear boxes and solar outhouses. It is also a 10 minute walk from a beautiful cascade and swimming hole, making it a phenomenal high country home for two amazing nights.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1700 feet
Elevation Loss: 1700 feet
Our hike explores the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, one of Yosemite’s most scenic areas. We’ll head down river to visit three of Yosemite’s most photogenic waterfalls. Our trail begins by descending into the idyllic, original site of the Glen Aulin camp along a flat area below spectacular Wildcat Point, an amazing expanse of granite. We reach California Falls just past the end of Glen Aulin. Farther on, the path becomes rougher and more precipitous as it follows the increasingly steeper Tuolumne River until we reach the second waterfalls, Le Conte Falls, one mile beyond. Another mile leads us to the most spectacular and largest of the three, Waterwheel Falls, with its namesake waterwheel shooting a spout of water into the sky. Here we enjoy our picnic lunch before retracing our path back to our campsite where we can enjoy a late afternoon dip in the Tuolumne or just relax with a good book.
Please Note: private groups and families will sometimes choose to enjoy a shorter hike and return to camp early to swim and play in the Tuolumne River. Guests on scheduled trips can always choose to stay in camp vs. hike to Waterwheel Falls.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1160 feet
Elevation Loss: 281 feet
Today we head out on a new adventure to our next camp at Poly Dome Lakes. We will explore a less visited area of Yosemite and are likely to have the trail mostly to ourselves. As we work our way along the trail, the landscape changes from trees along McGee lake to vast slabs of granite and views of peaks and domes that dot the horizon. The area is home to a variety of animals so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for marmots, deer, and black bears. When we arrive at Polly Dome Lake we will set up our camp for the night and enjoy time with a splash in the lake and a delicious dinner.
Day 4
Drive Time: 2 hrs
Hiking Mileage: 2.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 23 feet
Elevation Loss: 502 feet
Today we get to sleep in a bit since we have a shorter hike ahead of us. We wrap up our adventure with a hike to the Murphy Creek Trailhead. We will make our way through a well-marked forested trail with slabs of famous Yosemite granite along the way. Be sure to take in the views of Polly Dome, Mount Hoffman, and Tuolumne Peak. We will have lunch at the trailhead before we hop back in the van for our return to Mariposa.
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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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?
This trip meets in Mariposa, California. The day before your departure, you will have an orientation meeting at 5:00 pm. Your guide will email you about 10 days before your trip to coordinate this rendezvous and answer any last-minute questions you have. Day 1 will start around 6:00 am with pickup at your hotel to drive to the trailhead.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Mariposa
TRAVEL TO Mariposa
This trip meets in Mariposa, CA.
Many Wildland guests rent vehicles or drive their own to Mariposa. If you choose public transportation, there are some options.
From Fresno and other California Cities: by rail on the Amtrak San Joaquin Train to the city of Merced (serviced by most large cities in California). Then take the YARTS buts to Mariposa. The YARTS is seasonal so be sure to check the schedule ahead of time.
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
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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Richard K
17 days agoLovely
What a lovely trip. Hannah was such a resourceful and upbeat guide at all times. Presented us with options of which routes we might follow and which campsites we might use, was very responsive to our many questions and suggestions. Plus, the scenery was mind-bogglingly beautiful. I can't say enough good things about the experience.
John B
10 months agoTruly Memorable trek
We had a great time with Wildland Trekking. The office staff were very helpful with information and helping us get prepared prior to our great trek. Our guide was critical to the success of the trip. She was excellent, very experienced, prepared and organized. She cooked and prepared the food. She was knowledgeable about the Park, wildlife, and geology. She quickly became like a member of our family. We truly enjoyed her company. She did so many things for us and especially the little unexpected things, like staying up late with us around a campfire (instead of slinking away in her tent or whatever), She read us poetry, engaged with us in lively and meaningful conversations. She was fun and funny. She was also very sensitive to each individual's unique needs and very accommodating, patient, understanding and encouraging. We all loved her. Overall, a truly great and memorable trek.
Jordan M
3 years agoTrip was Magical
The trip was transformative from start to finish. Austin was absolutely fantastic. He was patient, kind, wise and wonderful. He cultivated such a wonderful community for us all to be ourselves, even if we wanted to do different things and walk at different speeds. He masterfully held the group together and made sure everyone felt included and important. Plus- his meals were absolutely delicious! Having so many different food and dietary preferences- he outdid himself. We fondly named him our “Forest Shaman” because he became that and helped each of us go on whatever journey we needed to, knowing that we were supported and celebrated. He is a gift and if we ever do another trip, we’ll def be requesting him. Thank you for everything…this trip was magical from start to finish and I couldn’t be more grateful.
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