Meeting Day

Yosemite Valley - Join the guide at Half Dome Village at 3:00 PM. Get to know the group and familiarize yourself with the gear. If time permits before dinner, explore some of the Valley’s accessible spots. Enjoy dinner at one of the park’s many restaurants. (Note: Meals are not included while in the front-country.) Conclude the day by camping at the Yosemite Valley Backpacker’s Camp.

Happy Isles -OR- Sunrise Lakes -OR- Mono Meadow

Yosemite National Park - Begin your journey from the Happy Isles trailhead with a 4-mile hike along the Mist Trail. Marvel at the rainbows and scenery as you pass the misty basin of Vernal Fall, experiencing the trail’s namesake firsthand (be prepared to get wet!). Continue to the top of Nevada Fall for a stunning view of Yosemite Valley, then hike the remaining mile to your campsite at Little Yosemite Valley. Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 4.5 mi / -300′, +2,440′

-OR-

Catch your first view of the high country while refreshing in the beautiful waters of Tenaya Lake (8,150′). After a 4.2-mile hike up the Sunrise Trail, which includes some challenging uphill sections, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Half Dome and Tenaya Canyon, and one of our favorite campsites in Yosemite on the shore of Sunrise Lake (9,166′)! Enjoy the sunset while playing and fishing in one of our guides’ favorite high country spots. Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 4.2 mi / +1,616′, -,500′

Little Yosemite Valley -OR- Sunrise Creek

Yosemite National Park - Wake up at a relaxed pace and enjoy a day of leisure exploring the Merced River Canyon. Choose your own adventure this morning. Sunbathing, hiking, fishing, and birdwatching are all options, or embark on a mini-adventure before gathering at camp for lunch and preparing for your Half Dome climb! Today’s Mileage/Elevation (excluding Half Dome): Varies

-OR-

After a hearty breakfast, hike approximately 3.5 miles to the summit of Clouds Rest at 9,926′. Enjoy lunch at the top while taking in panoramic views of Yosemite’s wilderness. From the summit, hike down 5 miles to Sunrise Creek for the final night of camping. Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 7.3 mi / +800′, -2,800′

Half Dome

Half Dome - Half Dome

The Half Dome ascent will be completed either in the afternoon of Day 3 to catch the sunset, or the following morning with an early start to catch the sunrise. This involves a challenging uphill hike of 3.5 miles to the summit at 8,836′. Roundtrip mileage: 7.0

Day 4

Descend to the Yosemite Valley Floor (4,000′) via the Mist Trail, which runs alongside the Merced River and both Nevada and Vernal Falls. Total mileage: 4.5

Our aim is to finish between 2-4 PM.

• Lunch
• Dinner
• Breakfast

• Entry into Yosemite National Park
• Guide Gratuities

Our 4-day guided backpacking tours to Half Dome are meticulously crafted to ensure your ascent to the summit is as breathtaking as possible! The adventure begins in Yosemite Valley, where participants will embark on a trail, hiking and camping near iconic waters such as Sunrise Lakes or the Merced River. Our seasoned guides elevate your experience to a 5-star level with gourmet camp-cooked meals and comfortable camping amenities, while also sharing intriguing, lesser-known facts along the trail. The journey reaches its peak either on the final evening or morning, as you ascend the cables to Half Dome’s summit for an awe-inspiring sunrise or sunset.

To clarify the schedule:

2025 Dates:

• October 2 - October 5
• October 10 - October 13

2026 Dates:

• May 29 - June 1
• June 7 - June 10
• June 21 - June 24
• July 3 - July 6
• July 13 - July 16
• July 24 - July 27
• August 6 - August 9
• August 21 - August 24
• September 5 - September 8
• September 20 - September 23
• October 2 - October 5
• 2026 Dates: 5/29-6/1, 6/7-6/10, 6/21-6/24, 7/3-7/6, 7/13-7/16, 7/24-7/27, 8/6-8/9, 8/21-8/24, 9/5-9/8, 9/20-6/23, 10/2-10/5

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.