Itinerary

Day 1- Welcome Night & Orientation

Our adventure begins in the stunning Yosemite National Park, California. We’ll gather at 4:00 PM at the Yosemite Backpacker’s Campground, where you’ll meet your guides. For co-ed trips, Rachel and Garet will lead together, while women’s-only trips will be guided by Rachel and Adele. Please plan for extra travel time, as traffic in Yosemite Valley can often be unpredictable.

After a thorough trip orientation and gear check, we’ll organize our packs, distribute group gear (9-11 lbs), pack snacks, and assemble hygiene kits. Once we’ve finalized our preparations, we’ll sit down for a delicious dinner at camp, creating the perfect atmosphere to relax and bond with one another. Dinner is included.

Day 2- Enjoy Breakfast & Hit the Trails

We'll kick off the day with a fueling breakfast at camp, ensuring our backpacks are packed and ready for the adventure ahead. By 8:00 AM, we’ll hop on the hikers shuttle bound for the Cathedral Lakes trailhead in Tuolumne Meadows—our gateway to an unforgettable backpacking journey. The scenic ride takes a little over two hours, allowing plenty of time for last minute questions or unmet concerns. Shuttle is included.

As we arrive at the trailhead, our adventure begins with a hike toward Cathedral Lakes, passing through the serene Long Meadow. This tranquil area offers stunning views of Cathedral Peak, one of our personal favorite spots in the park. After a leisurely lunch here with an epic granite backdrop, we'll continue our trek a few more miles to Middle Sunrise Lakes, where we'll camp for the next two nights, soaking in the beauty of this remote and peaceful location. All meals and snacks provided.

Distance: 7.5 miles
Elevation Gain: +1,870 feet, -1,210 feet

Day 3- Clouds Rest Sunrise Summit

After waking up at Sunrise Lakes, we’ll have about 4.5 miles to reach the summit of Clouds Rest. We’ll start the day with an early "alpine start" to catch the sunrise, and trust me, it will be worth it! The Clouds Rest trail offers breathtaking views and is truly unique, with stretches where we’ll walk on granite rock, including some exposed sections. While this can be a bit intimidating at times, we will guide you every step of the way, ensuring we take the safest and most scenic path. Once we return to camp, we’ll enjoy a well-deserved lunch by the lake and have the rest of the afternoon to relax, reflect, and bask in the sense of accomplishment from a truly unforgettable day! Optional off trail terrain side adventure to Sunrise Mountain if you’d like to add on a handful more miles to your day! All meals and snacks provided.

Distance: 9 miles roundtrip from camp
Elevation Gain: +1,100 feet, -700 feet

Day 4- Tenaya Lake & Last Day

In the morning, we’ll start the day with a celebratory breakfast and coffee to honor our Clouds Rest summit. After packing up camp, we’ll begin our descent along the Clouds Rest trail toward Tenaya Lake. Once we reach the lake, we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch and, if you’re feeling adventurous, have the chance to take a refreshing dip.

At 2:30 p.m., we’ll catch our shuttle back to Curry Village. Once there, we’ll retrieve our cars, return any group gear, and organize our belongings. We expect to wrap up and be finished by 5/5:30 p.m. For those who wish to stay, an optional dinner is available at the Pizza Deck in Curry Village! All meals and snacks provided.

Distance: 3.3 miles
Elevation Gain: +150 feet, -1,300 feet

Total trip mileage: 19.8 miles
Total elevation gain: 3,120 feet
Total elevation loss: 3,210 feet